11 Easy Things To Cook Tonight When Nothing Sounds Good

When nothing sounds good for dinner, the best approach is to focus on simple, satisfying meals with minimal ingredients. It’s that familiar time of day—the energy is low, inspiration is nowhere to be found, and the question “What’s for dinner?” feels like an impossible riddle. This is mealtime fatigue, and it turns the daily task of cooking into a stressful chore. You scroll through endless recipes, but everything seems too complicated, requires a trip to the store, or just doesn’t spark any joy.

We’ve all been there, staring into the fridge hoping for a miracle. The good news is, you don’t need a miracle. You just need a short, reliable list of truly easy things to cook that can break through the dinner dilemma. That’s exactly what we’ve put together for you.

This is a curated collection of our own tried-and-true, go-to recipes that have saved us on countless busy weeknights. Updated for 2025, these are 11 genuinely easy, quick, and delicious solutions that require minimal effort and simple ingredients. Think one-pan pastas, quick chicken dishes, or easy skillet meals that can be made in under 30 minutes. They require very little mental energy, making them the perfect antidote for weeknight cooking fatigue.

11 Incredibly Easy Things To Cook (Even When You’re Tired)

Here are 11 incredibly easy dinner ideas to solve your weeknight slump: 1. One-Pan Orecchiette Pasta, 2. Simple Lemon Herb Chicken, 3. 5-Ingredient Salmon, 4. Quick Beef Stir-Fry, 5. Easy Taco Skillet, 6. Sheet Pan Veggie Gnocchi, 7. 10-Minute Dumpling Soup, 8. No-Cook BLT Wraps, 9. Sloppy Joe Casserole, 10. Caramelized Pork Tenderloin, and 11. Speedy Veggie Frittata. These recipes are foolproof, quick to prepare, and designed to get a delicious meal on the table with the least amount of stress.

1. One-Pan Orecchiette Pasta

This recipe is a simple, affordable pasta dish that comes together in one pan with minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for a busy night when you’re craving comfort food without the mess.

• Ingredients: Orecchiette pasta, cherry tomatoes, garlic, onion, vegetable broth, olive oil, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper.
• Instructions:
  1. Combine pasta, tomatoes, sliced onion, garlic, broth, and olive oil in a single large skillet or pan.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  3. Stir in fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Pro-Tip: Don’t be afraid to let the pasta get a little toasted on the bottom of the pan before all the liquid is absorbed; it adds a fantastic layer of flavor.

Pin this one-pan wonder for your next busy weeknight!

2. Simple Lemon Herb Chicken

This is a fast, flavorful, and healthy way to cook chicken breasts that results in juicy, tender meat with a delicious pan sauce. It pairs perfectly with a simple salad or roasted vegetables.

• Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped fresh herbs (e.g., thyme, rosemary), garlic powder, salt, pepper.
• Instructions:
  1. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh herbs.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken from the skillet. Reduce heat, add lemon juice and zest to the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Pour the pan sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.

Lesson Learned: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This is the secret to getting a perfectly golden, crispy sear instead of steamed chicken.

Save this 25-minute chicken recipe to your “Healthy Dinners” board!

3. Easy 5-Ingredient Salmon

For a meal that feels elegant but is ready in minutes, this extremely fast, healthy, and simple salmon recipe is the perfect choice. It can be baked in the oven or cooked even faster in an air fryer.

• Ingredients: Salmon fillets, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, black pepper. (Optional 5th ingredient: lemon wedges or fresh dill for serving).
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or air fryer to 390°F (195°C).
  2. Pat salmon fillets dry. Rub all over with olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bake for 12-15 minutes or air fry for 7-9 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Serve immediately, with a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.

Pro-Tip: If using skin-on salmon in the air fryer, place it skin-side up. The skin gets incredibly crispy and delicious, and it also protects the delicate fish from overcooking.

Need a 15-minute meal? Pin this salmon recipe now!

4. Quick Beef Stir-Fry

This is a fast, flavorful, and vegetable-packed stir-fry that easily rivals your favorite takeout spot. The secret is high heat and having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.

• Ingredients: Thinly sliced beef, soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, cooked rice for serving.
• Instructions:
  1. In a small bowl, toss the sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch.
  2. Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat with sesame oil. Add the beef and cook until browned, then remove from the pan.
  3. Add vegetables, ginger, and garlic to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
  4. Return the beef to the pan. Add a splash more soy sauce and stir everything together to combine. Serve immediately over rice.

Lesson Learned: The key to a great stir-fry is having all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before you turn on the heat. The cooking process is incredibly fast, so you won’t have time to chop once you start.

Ditch the takeout menu and pin this easy stir-fry recipe!

5. Easy Taco Skillet

Get all the flavor of tacos in a quick, one-pan meal the whole family will love. This skillet is perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips and is endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings.

• Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, taco seasoning, canned black beans (rinsed), canned corn (drained), salsa, shredded cheddar cheese. Tortilla chips for serving.
• Instructions:
  1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and salsa. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes for the flavors to meld.
  3. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the skillet mixture.
  4. Cover the pan for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot with tortilla chips for scooping.

Pro-Tip: To save even more time, use a bag of frozen corn (no need to thaw) and a pre-chopped onion from the produce section. This recipe is all about convenience.

Save this 20-minute Taco Skillet for your next Taco Tuesday!

6. Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Veggies

This recipe is a genius, hands-off vegetarian dinner that uses packaged gnocchi in a creative way. Roasting gnocchi makes it delightfully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

• Ingredients: Package of shelf-stable potato gnocchi, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper.
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. On a large sheet pan, combine the gnocchi, chopped zucchini, tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and sliced red onion.
  3. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together directly on the pan until evenly coated.
  4. Spread in a single layer.
  5. Roast for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the gnocchi are slightly crisped and golden.

Lesson Learned: Don’t overcrowd the pan! Use two sheet pans if necessary. Giving the gnocchi and veggies space is the key to getting them roasted and slightly crispy instead of steamed.

Pin this genius sheet pan hack for the easiest dinner ever!

7. Easy 10-Minute Dumpling Soup

This is a lightning-fast, comforting, and flavorful meal using frozen dumplings. It’s the ultimate dinner solution when you have almost no time or energy to cook.

• Ingredients: Frozen dumplings or potstickers, chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, a few drops of sesame oil, chopped scallions.
• Instructions:
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a boil.
  2. Add the frozen dumplings and cook according to package directions, usually about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Stir in a splash of soy sauce and the sesame oil.
  4. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh chopped scallions.
  5. For extra substance, add some spinach or bok choy in the last minute of cooking.

Pro-Tip: Elevate this simple soup by swirling in a spoonful of chili crisp or sriracha at the end for a kick of heat and flavor. It makes it taste like a restaurant-quality dish.

Your new favorite 10-minute meal! Pin this dumpling soup recipe.

8. No-Cook BLT Wraps

Perfect for hot days or when you can’t bear to turn on the stove, these wraps are a simple, refreshing, and fast meal that requires assembly only. They capture the classic flavors you love with zero fuss.

• Ingredients: Large flour tortillas, mayonnaise, pre-cooked bacon slices, romaine lettuce leaves, sliced ripe tomatoes, salt, pepper.
• Instructions:
  1. Lay a tortilla flat and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over it.
  2. Arrange a few lettuce leaves down the center of the tortilla.
  3. Top the lettuce with a few slices of tomato and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Place 2-3 slices of cooked bacon on top of the tomatoes.
  5. Fold in the sides of the tortilla and then roll it up tightly from the bottom. Slice in half and serve.

Lesson Learned: Use pre-cooked bacon that you can quickly crisp up in the microwave for 30 seconds. It gives you that classic BLT flavor and texture with almost zero effort or cleanup.

Save this no-cook dinner idea for hot or lazy days!

9. Sloppy Joe Casserole

This is a comforting, easy-to-make casserole that puts a fun and less-messy twist on a classic family favorite. The crescent roll topping makes it irresistible.

• Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, canned sloppy joe sauce, refrigerated crescent roll dough, shredded cheddar cheese.
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brown ground beef and onion in a skillet; drain fat. Stir in sloppy joe sauce and heat through.
  2. Pour the meat mixture into a lightly greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over the meat.
  4. Unroll the crescent dough and lay it over the top of the cheese layer, pinching seams together.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crescent top is golden brown and bubbly.

Pro-Tip: For a little extra flavor, brush the top of the crescent dough with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder or sesame seeds before baking.

Pin this ultimate comfort food casserole for a family-pleasing dinner!

10. Caramelized Pork Tenderloin

This recipe for pork tenderloin is quick and easy, yet tastes impressively gourmet. The simple caramelized sauce makes it feel like a special occasion meal, but it’s ready in under 20 minutes.

• Ingredients: Pork tenderloin (sliced into 1-inch medallions), brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper.
• Instructions:
  1. Season pork medallions with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden.
  3. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic.
  4. Pour the sauce over the pork in the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, turning the pork to coat it in the sauce as it thickens and caramelizes.
  5. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the top.

Lesson Learned: Watch the sauce carefully as it cooks! Because of the sugar content, it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly. Keep the heat at medium and keep the pork moving.

Want a 20-minute fancy dinner? Pin this pork recipe!

11. Speedy Veggie Frittata

A frittata is the ultimate fast, flexible, and healthy meal that’s perfect for using up leftover vegetables. It’s a “clean out the fridge” champion that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

• Ingredients: Eggs, milk, cooked vegetables (e.g., spinach, peppers, onions, broccoli), shredded cheese, salt, pepper, olive oil.
• Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven broiler. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add your cooked vegetables and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables in the skillet. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
  4. Cook on the stovetop for 3-5 minutes, until the edges start to set.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes, until the frittata is puffed up, golden brown, and set in the center.

Pro-Tip: Make sure any vegetables you use are relatively dry. Squeeze excess water out of spinach and pat other sauteed veggies with a paper towel. Too much moisture will result in a watery frittata.

Save this “clean out the fridge” frittata for a quick and easy dinner!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Easy Dinners

People Also Ask About Easy Dinner Ideas

What’s a good lazy dinner?

A good lazy dinner prioritizes minimal prep and cleanup. Think one-pan meals like a taco skillet or sheet pan gnocchi. Other great options include using freezer staples like in a 10-minute dumpling soup, or no-cook assembly meals like BLT wraps. The goal is to get a delicious meal on the table with the least effort possible.

What shall I have for dinner tonight?

When you’re undecided, choose a versatile base like pasta, chicken, or ground beef. A one-pan pasta with cherry tomatoes is incredibly simple. Pan-seared lemon herb chicken is quick and healthy. Or, a ground beef skillet with taco seasonings can be ready in 20 minutes. These options are fast, flavorful, and don’t require complex ingredients.

What is something fun to cook?

Fun things to cook often involve a creative twist or hands-on element. Try making a Sloppy Joe Casserole with a crescent roll topping for a playful take on a classic. A colorful beef stir-fry can feel like a fun, fast-paced project. Another great option is a “build-your-own” meal like taco skillets, where everyone can add their favorite toppings.

What are easy foods to make at home for beginners?

For beginners, the best foods are those with few ingredients and simple steps. Start with recipes like 5-ingredient baked salmon, where you just season and bake. Simple pasta dishes, scrambled eggs or frittatas, and sheet pan dinners where you toss everything on a pan and roast are excellent, foolproof starting points for building kitchen confidence.

Final Thoughts

Beating dinner fatigue is entirely possible when you have a few simple, reliable ideas in your back pocket. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef every night of the week. Giving yourself permission to cook simply is the best way to keep enjoying your time in the kitchen and get a delicious meal on the table. We hope this list inspires you and makes your weeknights a little bit easier and a lot more delicious.

What’s your go-to easy meal when nothing sounds good? Share your favorites in the comments below