25 Flavor-Packed Meals That Practically Cook Themselves

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Creamy cheesy pasta with spicy buffalo chicken. Your favorite party dip turned into an easy 30 minute meal!
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chicken cheddar quinoa casserole in a pyrex dish. — Cheddar Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cheddar chicken quinoa bake is an easy, healthy casserole everyone will love. Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a simple and affordable dinner for busy nights!
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Peach Burrata Salad

This peach burrata salad is a refreshing summer dish that highlights juicy peaches, fresh herbs, and optional edible flowers for an elegant touch. It’s a simple, versatile recipe that can be customized to your taste. Some variations resemble a caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, while others feature arugula, peach slices, and creamy burrata. Perfect for warm days, this salad is as easy as it is beautiful!
Get the Recipe: Peach Burrata Salad

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Sweet potato cubes on a plate with a dipping sauce. — Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

Lemon Garlic Fish Pasta

Cooked fish sitting on top of lemon spaghetti in a cast iron skillet. — Lemon Garlic Fish Pasta. Photo credit: Life As A Strawberry.

The Barramundi Lemon Garlic Pasta recipe features flaky, tender barramundi fish paired with a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. It's a light, flavorful dish that's easy to prepare, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion. The recipe combines the richness of the fish with the fresh brightness of lemon and garlic, served over pasta for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Fish Pasta

Club Sandwich Salad

Get the Recipe: Club Sandwich Salad

Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Skillet filled with fully cooked mahi mahi fillets cooked in a lemon butter sauce and garnished with fresh parsley. — Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

This Mahi Mahi recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare fish with a lemon garlic sauce. In just 30 minutes, you can pan-sear mahi-mahi fillets in a buttery garlic sauce that pairs perfectly with a variety of sides like rice, couscous, or mashed potatoes. With just seven ingredients, it's a simple and delicious meal. For a different twist, you can also grill the mahi-mahi instead of pan-searing it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mahi Mahi Recipe with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Five Ingredient Pasta with Sausage and Spinach

This quick and flavorful Pasta with Sausage and Spinach is a delicious dairy-free, gluten-free dish that comes together in less than 20 minutes. Made with savory Italian pork sausage (mild or spicy) and fresh spinach, it's a satisfying and easy meal perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Five Ingredient Pasta with Sausage and Spinach

Fried Spaghetti

Fried spaghetti offers a delightful, crunchy take on the traditional Italian favorite! Spaghetti noodles are pan-fried until they reach a golden, crispy texture, then mixed with a sauce of your choice, like tomato, pesto, or Alfredo. This flavorful dish comes together in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. Plus, it's a great way to repurpose leftover pasta into a new, tasty meal!
Get the Recipe: Fried Spaghetti

Harissa Aubergine (Eggplant) with Couscous

Harissa aubergine eggplants on a baking sheet, with couscous scattered around. — Harissa Aubergine (Eggplant) with Couscous. Photo credit: The Fruity Jem.

This flavorful harissa aubergine (eggplant) paired with couscous makes for a deliciously simple vegan dish. The mint yogurt adds a refreshing contrast to the spicy eggplant, enhancing the overall taste. It's a perfect meal for anyone looking for a vibrant and satisfying plant-based option!
Get the Recipe: Harissa Aubergine (Eggplant) with Couscous

Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

We’ve tried tons of recipes and this Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers is the BEST!
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

Stuffed Meatloaf

A serving of seasoned pork chops with a side of mashed potatoes on a white plate. — Stuffed Meatloaf. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Your dinner table is missing this cheese stuffed meatloaf. Juicy, flavorful beef is stuffed with melty cheese and glazed with BBQ sauce, then baked to perfection. It’s a comforting dish that’s easy enough for cozy family meals, but special enough for your special celebrations. Switch up your routine and make your dinner extra special tonight with this amazingly delicious stuffed meatloaf!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Meatloaf

Chorizo Rigatoni

Savor the bold flavor of chorizo in this simple rigatoni recipe. It's creamy, cheese and delicious. You'll find yourself craving this often.
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Rigatoni

Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

This chickpea pesto sandwich is a non-traditional pesto with smashed chickpeas that makes a delicious sandwich filling for an easy vegetarian meal.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Pesto Sandwich

Turkey Burgers on The Stove

Gluten free turkey burger topped with slices of tomato, thinly sliced red onions, pickles in a bun next to a dollop of ketchup. — Turkey Burgers on The Stove. Photo credit: My Chefs Apron.

These juicy and flavorful turkey burgers cooked on the stove make an ideal quick dinner option. With no eggs or breadcrumbs, they're seasoned simply yet deliciously and come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, they’re a healthier twist on a classic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Burgers on The Stove

Creamy Steak Pasta

This rich and creamy steak pasta combines tender bites of steak with a luscious gorgonzola sauce that’s so irresistible, you’ll want to savor every last drop. Perfect for a cozy date night or whenever you’re in the mood for an indulgent pasta dish, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Pair it with a crisp salad or garlic bread for the ultimate comfort meal!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Steak Pasta

KFC Mac and Cheese

Creamy KFC Macaroni and Cheese is a tasty side dish you can easily make at home.
Get the Recipe: KFC Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

This slow cooker teriyaki chicken is even tastier than takeout and comes together effortlessly with just a few simple ingredients. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Plus, the slow cooking process ensures the chicken is tender and packed with flavor!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Wet Burritos

A Wet Burrito on a plate that's garnished with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. — Wet Burritos. Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

Bake Wet Burritos until they reach a golden brown crisp, then top them generously with enchilada sauce and a heaping layer of shredded cheese. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a burrito! The total cost for this recipe is approximately $13.76, making six servings at about $2.29 each. Perfect for a budget-friendly, delicious meal!
Get the Recipe: Wet Burritos

Meatball Parmigiana Sub

The Meatball Parmigiana Sub is the ultimate comfort food—featuring juicy Italian meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce, topped with melted cheese, and nestled in toasted sub rolls. This hearty, cheesy sandwich is easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners, game day gatherings, or casual meals with family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Parmigiana Sub

Instant Pot Carne Asada

A plate of shepherds pie topped with melted cheese, showing layers of ground meat, peas, and carrots. Near the plate are a fork, garlic, onion, and a striped napkin. — Instant Pot Carne Asada. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

This Instant Pot Carne Asada is tender strips of beef marinated in a Mexican-inspired seasoning. It's a great way to add some flavor to dinner!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carne Asada

Cajun Shrimp Boil

This Cajun shrimp boil is packed with flavor and perfect for any seafood lover! Juicy shrimp, savory smoked sausage, and tender vegetables soak up a bold, spicy broth, all topped off with a decadent Cajun butter sauce. It’s a savory, satisfying feast that will leave you craving more. This dish is great for gathering with friends and family to enjoy a one-pot meal full of Southern-inspired goodness.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Boil

Restaurant-Style Shrimp Lo Mein (Only 20 Minutes)

Shrimp Lo Mein showcases succulent shrimp, tender noodles, and crisp vegetables, all enveloped in a rich, flavorful lo mein sauce.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant-Style Shrimp Lo Mein (Only 20 Minutes)

Tater Tot Turkey Casserole

Turkey Tater Tot Casserole in a cast iron skillet with a hand holding a spoon scooping the turkey tater tots and a red striped cloth, and a jar of shredded cheese in the background. — Tater Tot Turkey Casserole. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

This crowd-pleasing turkey tater tot casserole is packed with protein, hearty potatoes, and veggies, all baked together in one dish or skillet for a simple weeknight meal. It's also a great way to repurpose leftover turkey from Thanksgiving! Plus, it's a comforting and filling dish that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Turkey Casserole