12 Easy + Delicious Meals to Make When You Just Don't Feel Like Cooking
HGTV.com editors share their go-to quick-fix recipes for those hectic weeknights when an elaborate meal just isn't gonna happen.
Unless you're a superhero, you've likely experienced your share of evenings when you simply don't have the time or the energy to whip up a gourmet meal. And on those nights, you've also likely resorted to eating a protein bar and a handful of potato chips. But I'm here to tell you, this doesn't have to happen. This week, skip the cereal and save your takeout money for the weekend with one of these quick, yummy meals that are dinner lifesavers for our editors. You can throw these together in less than 30 minutes with ingredients you may already have sitting in the pantry.
Keri: Stuffed Peppers
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"I like to steam green pepper halves and stuff them with pre-cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, cheese and whatever else I have on hand, then season with minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, etc. Bake the stuffed peppers for about 20 minutes on 350 (I sprinkle way more cheese on top at this point). Then top with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, salsa, whatever…"
Kayla: Pasta #FTW
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"I was going to suggest having the pizza delivery number handy… But for the nights when I'm not eating an entire pizza by myself, I love anything pasta-related. I defrost frozen chicken in the microwave just to thaw it out, and then throw it in a pan with white wine and a little butter. I usually eyeball it, but for measurement purposes let’s say 1/4 cup white wine and 1 tablespoon butter. After about 5 minutes I will throw whatever veggies I have (plus minced garlic that comes in the jar) and sauté them until the chicken and veggies are cooked through! Add it to pasta and marinara and you’ve got a yummy pasta bowl."
Keri: Comfort Food Grilled Cheese
"Okay, so for my super delish grilled cheese: Mash an avocado and spread on one slice of whole wheat bread. Add one or two slices of pepper jack cheese and a few slices of your preferred salami. Fry until brown on both sides and cheese is melted. On the side, I like to fry an egg over medium, then I add that to the sandwich. It’s a total mess, but sooo good."
Ryan: 10-Minute Chicken
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Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- juice from a large lemon
- sprig of chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- salt and pepper
In a skillet, add olive oil and bring to a medium heat. Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper and add to warm skillet, flipping occasionally until brown on all sides. Reduce heat to low and add lemon juice, chicken broth and chopped rosemary. Cover and cook for 6 minutes. Turn chicken over and cover for another 4 minutes.
Mariel: From-the-Fridge Frittata
"I go the Frittata route: quick, easy and only takes one pan = win. I sauté whatever veggies and proteins I have on hand with olive oil and a little garlic and onion. Then add it to 8 beaten eggs with a little milk and a lot of whatever cheese I can find. Then pour it back into the hot pan to cook. I add a lid for more even cooking and broil it at the end for just a couple minutes to make sure the top is set and nicely golden."
Mariel's go-to flavor combos:
- Spinach + Mushroom + Swiss
- Bacon + Tomato + Cheddar
- Ham + Zucchini + Gruyere
Make This: Bacon-Potato Frittata Recipe
Shannon: Burrito Bowls
iStock/AlexPro9500
"I always like to have ingredients on hand for easy burrito bowls: brown rice, canned black beans, frozen corn, salsa, Mexican-style shredded cheese, sour cream. If I have an onion and/or bell pepper, I’ll sauté those with a little bit of taco seasoning. Complete it with any protein you have on hand: avocado, shrimp, chicken, etc. Top with cilantro or green onion if you have it."
Farima: Mexican Zucchini Skillet
"My favorite meal is Mexican zucchini skillet. All you do is chop up zucchini and garlic and cook it over the skillet with ground beef and chopped tomatoes. So easy and quick."
Get the Recipe: Mexican Beef + Zucchini
Liz: Sushi Bowls
"I like to make 'sushi bowls' on nights I don't feel like cooking. Leftover or frozen black or brown rice, with a little sushi vinegar or apple cider vinegar, topped with your favorite sushi toppings! This one has cucumber, avocado, smoked salmon, wasabi and a soft-boiled egg."
Maria: Dessert-for-Dinner Smoothie
iStock/Hannah Millerick
"I love smoothies and the ingredients I use last a while in the fridge/pantry and the results are delish. I use a couple tablespoons of vanilla Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, one scoop of chocolate protein powder and one whole frozen banana. I usually add some unsweetened almond milk & ice to the mix before blending. It tastes like a frosty from Wendy’s so it’s basically the perfect dessert-for-dinner meal and all the protein keeps ya full!"
Farima: Cheesy Salsa Chicken
"Season skinless, boneless chicken breast with salt and pepper, cook over the skillet. Then, cover with a slice of cheddar and pour a jar of salsa on top. Cover with a lid until salsa is warm and cheese is melted. I usually eat it with a salad or quinoa. Super easy recipe! Salsa is always good to have in the pantry."
Deanne: Quinoa "Super Food" Bowls
"I’m all about a quinoa bowl. So easy and so good for you. I keep a 5 lb. bag in my pantry at all times to use as a base for dozens of breakfast, lunch and dinner combos. My go-to bowl: Cup of quinoa as the base, cup of steamed kale, 3-4 asparagus spears cut up and half a roasted sweet potato cut up. Toss with olive oil. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Boom. Super food dinner that takes no time."
David: Ramen Reimagined
iStock/tbralnina
"Ramen noodles. They’re not just for dorm rooms anymore. There are higher-end varieties in the Asian section of the hipper grocery stores (you know the ones) and tons of recipes for jazzin’ them up as close as your nearest Google search. I recommend dropping in one of those frozen cilantro cubes, adding some teriyaki sauce and dropping in an egg."
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