Let me paint a little picture for you: It’s 6 p.m., pitch-black outside, and the kids are hungry. Your favorite takeout menu is just a few feet away on the counter, but a voice inside your head reminds you that you didn’t buy a whole new cookware set for nothing—it’s time to make one of your ultimate lazy dinners. These are the kinds of family meals that require little-to-no preparation, rely on ingredients you could find in your pantry, even when you haven’t seen the grocery store in weeks, and come together in 30 minutes or less. When it comes to busy weeknights, lazy dinners really are the MVP.
As someone who dreads the kitchen more and more as the weather cools down, I’m an expert in making lazy dinners. With that in mind, I’ve compiled 25 of the best lazy dinners for moms who—for one reason or another—just don’t feel like cooking. Trust me when I say: I’m right there with you.
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How to Make Any Dinner Lazier (Tips and Shortcuts)
In my household, I’m always looking for ways to make my go-to recipes—chicken fajitas, pesto pasta, mac and cheese—even simpler. Luckily, for all the moms in a similar boat, there are plenty of easy shortcuts to make your favorite family-friendly dinners even easier (and lazier).
Use a rotisserie chicken and other pre-cooked meats
I’m not kidding when I say that rotisserie chickens are my best friend, especially for lazy winter nights when I just can’t be bothered to cook. But they’re not your only option for pre-cooked meats—try using prepared protein options like:
- Rotisserie chicken or canned chicken breast
- Pre-cooked/frozen meatballs
- Canned tuna
- Sliced deli meats
Swap fresh veggies for pre-chopped and frozen
While I love perusing the fresh produce section at the grocery store, chopping and organizing fruits and vegetables can steal valuable time on a busy weeknight. Try these frozen and pre-chopped options to make meal prep simpler:
- Bagged, frozen broccoli florets
- Canned, diced tomatoes and beans
- Coleslaw and lettuce mixes
- Pre-washed baby spinach
Cheat the starches
Honestly, this may be the shortcut on this list that actually saves the most time. Boiling pasta or dry rice can add 30-40 minutes to an already long evening—and can seriously test impatient and hungry kids. Instead, opt for these “cheat sheet” methods:
- Microwable rice pouches (can be ready in 90 seconds!)
- No-boil pasta (nest raw pasta in a simmer pot and cover until tender)
- Use instant ramen, but discard the seasoning pouches
Pantry Staples for Lazy Dinners
To make your next grocery trip simpler, here are some of the non-negotiables I always have on-hand for my favorite lazy dinners. These make preparation even faster and smoother.
Carbs & grains
- Dried pasta and rice (instant rice is a lifesaver!)
- Tortillas for quick wraps or quesadillas
Proteins & canned goods
- Canned beans (black beans, chickpeas, or pinto beans)
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Canned soup or chili (perfect base for a dump pot!)
Sauces & oils
- Jarred pasta sauce and salsas (pesto, marinara, vodka)
- Olive oil, soy sauce, and hot sauce
Freezer backups
- Frozen vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, you name it!)
- Frozen or pre-cooked meat (frozen meatballs are a favorite of mine)
Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Lazy Dinners
Crockpots are the single best way to simplify an already simple dinner. In fact, most of these recipes just require you to turn on the crockpot, dump in the ingredients, and watch as the magic happens.
1. Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
This recipe includes two of my favorite words: dump and wait. All you’ll have to do is put your chicken, veggies, and spices into the crockpot and let it cook to perfection.
2. Simple Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Another win for moms who love dump dinners! This recipe is super easy to make in large batches. Then, you can freeze the meat and use it for dinners for the next month.
3. Easy Crockpot Beef Stew
This is easily one of my favorite cozy winter dinners to make, and it comes together so easily and with little to no preparation. Working moms will love how they can let this simmer all day and come home to a hearty, filling meal.
4. Lazy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Dairy-free and totally hands–off? That’s a win in my book. Just make sure to sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger for five minutes before you add to the crockpot.
5. Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese
I’m always looking for ways to make simpler recipes even simpler, and mac and cheese remains a staple in my household. When you don’t want to reach for the boxed kind, opt for this creamy, slow cooker option—elbow noodles are my favorite to use.
6. Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
For when you want to order from your favorite Chinese place, but you choose to cook instead. This recipe only requires ten minutes of hands-on prep, and then the slow cooker does the work for you. Add in some microwavable rice, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded meal.
7. Slow Cooker Turkey Chickpea Chili
Another cozy fall and winter recipe I can never get enough of. Before dumping everything into the crockpot, you’ll want to cook the onion and ground turkey in a skillet until they brown—10 minutes tops!
Sheet Pan Lazy Dinners (One Pan, Zero Stress)
One pan dinners make clean-up quick and stress-free. Sheet pans leave plenty of room for all the protein and veggies you could dream of, while not adding to a busy mom’s weeknight chaos.
8. Sheet Pan Chicken Sausage and Veggies
Recipes that require almost no clean-up are also a win in the lazy dinner category. With this sausage and veggie dinner, your family will enjoy a balanced meal that tastes just as good as it looks—and it’s on one pan!
9. Easy Sheet Pan Cheesy Tacos
Taco night never fails to put a smile on my kiddos’ faces (and mine). These cheesy, kid-friendly tacos come together on a sheet pan perfectly. Just brown the meat in a skillet beforehand.
10. Quick Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a lazy dinner staple in my kitchen. Sometimes that’s as simple as cheese on bread, and sometimes, I like to step it up a little with a recipe like this (protein!). They’re healthy, filling, and a total comfort food.
11. Salmon, Potatoes, and Asparagus Dinner
Seafood doesn’t have to be high-effort. Just toss your salmon, veggies, and potatoes into a pan and bake to perfection. Any dinner with a one-step routine like this will earn a spot in my rotation.
12. Easy Sheet Pan Pizza
Whether you’re going fully homemade or using some store bought dough (same), your kids will love the crispy cheesiness of this easy pizza recipe. Perfect for when they want takeout, and you want to save some money.
13. Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Veggies
This dinner recipe may look more involved, but I promise you it’s super simple. Just bake chicken with potatoes, veggies, feta, and olives and wait while the magic happens. While the cook time is slightly longer on this one, the payoff is worth it.
No-Cook Lazy Dinners
The best kind of dinners? The ones where you don’t even have to turn on the oven or stove. These recipes rely on pre-cooked staples like rotisserie chickens and pre-sliced meats, and only require a quick assembly to enjoy with your family.
14. BBQ Chicken Tacos
With this taco recipe, all you’ll have to do is toss your rotisserie chicken in some barbecue sauce and then load up your tortilla with every topping you can dream of: lettuce, corn, cheese, and cilantro, to name a few.
15. Protein Hummus Veggie Wraps
While this recipe was created with peanut butter hummus in mind, you can easily swap it out for any kind you prefer. Then, you just pack your wrap with everything good and nutritious: seasoned veggies, crunchy noodles, tofu (or another protein source), and whatever else you can think of.
16. Loaded Grain Bowl
Bowl dinners for the win! And this recipe is totally vegan. Just be sure to have your favorite grain, fresh veggies, chickpeas, feta, and a flavorful dressing on hand.
17. Chicken Ranch Wraps
These wraps come together in just 15 minutes and only require chicken, ranch, and cheese. Of all the recipes on this list, this really is a go-to for the nights when I don’t even want to turn on the stove.
18. Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl
Another bowl dinner you can easily substitute with rotisserie chicken. Or, if you’re up to it, meal prep beforehand and assemble night of. It’s healthy, high in protein, and super flavorful.
Lazy Dinners Using Frozen Food and Pantry Staples
For the moms who find themselves relying on their freezers to make dinner during the week (same), these recipes use frozen chicken and seafood, as well as pantry staples like pasta and jarred sauces.
19. Frozen Salmon in the Air Fryer
Salmon in the air fryer is my favorite method for that flaky, tender feel—with barely any effort. If you’re someone who loves to meal prep your salmon, just pull a bag out of the freezer, thaw, and toss it into the air fryer.
20. Garlic Butter Pasta
When it comes to lazy dinners, pasta may take the crown as my ultimate favorite. For this recipe, boil the noodles and then add the green onion butter, lemon zest, and spices.
21. Meal Prep Frozen Burritos
This is one of my favorite make-ahead meals. It’s super grab-and-go friendly, and is packed with veggies, protein, and everything else you and your family need to get through their day feeling energized.
22. Chicken Pesto Pasta
Of all the meals on this list, this is the one I make the most. I mean, who doesn’t have a pack of noodles sitting in their pantry? And the cherry tomatoes are a welcome addition.
23. Crispy Chicken Tender Salad
Any moms of toddlers and little kids will know that—at any given time—they probably have a bag of frozen chicken tenders in their freezer. For this recipe, just toss those in the oven or air fryer, then mix into a homemade salad. And the kids, of course, could always just have the chicken tenders.
24. Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Frozen shrimp is the way to go with this easy weeknight recipe. They cook easily in a skillet, along with the other veggies you’ll be adding to your pasta. Even the kids will love this one.
25. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
For all the allergy households out there, this recipe is gluten-free and requires almost no preparation. Just boil your noodles, grab your rotisserie chicken, and mix together to make a salad.
FAQs
What are cheap lazy dinners?
Cheap, lazy dinners use minimal ingredients, require little to no preparation, and rely on pantry staples like rice and pasta. Some of our favorites include one pot pastas and cheese and chicken quesadillas.
What are healthy lazy dinners?
Healthy, lazy dinners require little to no preparation and rely on simple ingredients, while still delivering protein, fiber, and all the nutrients you (and your little ones) need. I love making easy meals like rice and chicken bowls (with rotisserie chicken and microwavable rice) or egg bowls and casseroles—I always have eggs in my fridge.
Can you make lazy dinners ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, making lazy dinners ahead of time is one of the best ways to make weeknight dinner preparation even more low-effort. Prepare your ingredients over the weekend and seal them in a freezer bag or tupperware. Then, dump them into your crockpot or sheet pan to prepare night of.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
