10 Super Lazy Dinners You Can’t Mess Up (Even If You Tried)
When you’re running on empty but still need to feed everyone, these super lazy dinners deliver every time. From dump-and-bake casseroles to no-chop shortcuts, you’ll find everything you need to get dinner on the table with zero fuss.
Best of all, these are the kind of meals that practically cook themselves, perfect for those nights when even ordering takeout feels like too much work.
1. Zucchini Pizza Boats
These hollowed-out zucchini boats get stuffed with marinara, mozzarella, and mini pepperoni for a pizza fix that’s ready in 35 minutes.
The zucchini becomes tender while the cheese melts into gooey perfection, giving you all the pizza flavors without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Boats
2. Pesto Salmon Chickpea Bowls
This sheet pan dinner combines salmon fillets, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas, all tossed in basil pesto and cooked together.
The pesto keeps the salmon moist, creating a restaurant-quality meal with practically zero cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon Chickpea Bowls
3. Buffalo Chicken Tater Tots
Frozen tater tots meet buffalo chicken dip in this comfort food mash-up that’s basically two favorites in one dish.
Layer everything in a cast iron skillet, bake until bubbly, then top with blue cheese and green onions. It’s the kind of hearty dish that satisfies everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Tater Tots
4. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
Transform Japanese ramen noodles into a satisfying stir fry with frozen vegetables and a no-fuss sauce that brings everything together. The whole thing comes together in 20 minutes and tastes way better than any takeout you’d order.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
5. Chicken Parmesan Bake
Skip the breading and frying with this dump-and-go version that layers chicken with marinara, cheese, and seasoned croutons that turn golden and crispy as it bakes. It’s all the flavors of classic chicken parm, but takes only 10 minutes to prep.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Bake
6. Citrus Garlic Butter Shrimp
These foil packet shrimp cook alongside corn, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes in a zesty lime-honey butter sauce.
Everything cooks in individual foil packets, so there’s no stirring or checking required, and cleanup is a breeze since you just throw away the foil.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Garlic Butter Shrimp
7. 15-Minute Margherita Pizza
A tortilla becomes your pizza crust in this 15-minute recipe that’s ready faster than delivery. It’s crispy, cheesy, and works with any toppings you have on hand without the usual pizza-making effort.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Margherita Pizza
8. Pepper Steak Stir Fry
Thinly sliced flank steak and colorful bell peppers get cooked in a savory soy-based sauce that thickens as it simmers. It’s way cheaper to make than getting expensive takeout.
Get the Recipe: Pepper Steak Stir Fry
9. Honey Garlic Chicken
Four ingredients create a sticky-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven over tender chicken breasts.
The honey and butter keep everything juicy while the garlic and Dijon add the perfect touch to make this taste like you tried way harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken
10. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
This creamy comfort food classic combines chicken with cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream, then tops it all with crushed Ritz crackers. Make this recipe truly lazy by using rotisserie chicken to save time.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
