22 Lazy Night Meals That Practically Cook Themselves

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Last Updated on May 13, 2025 by Adam

Some nights, cooking feels like an impossible task. You’re tired, hungry, and the last thing you want is to spend an hour chopping, stirring, and cleaning.

That’s where these lazy night meals come in! They’re fast, easy, and practically cook themselves. Most require minimal prep, a handful of ingredients, and just a few minutes of your time.

Whether you’re craving something hearty, cheesy, comforting, or fresh, this list has you covered. Get ready to enjoy delicious meals without the hassle—because dinner should be effortless when you need it most!

1. One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies

A full meal with almost zero effort! This one-pan wonder lets your oven do the work while you relax. Juicy chicken, crisp-tender veggies, and a garlicky butter sauce make this dish irresistible. The best part? There’s only one pan to wash!

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups mixed veggies (carrots, zucchini, bell peppers)
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss everything on a baking sheet, coating with butter and seasoning.
3. Bake for 25 minutes until chicken is golden and cooked through.

2. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Set it and forget it! This slow cooker meal takes five minutes to prep, then cooks all day while you do anything but cook. By dinnertime, you’ll have fall-apart tender pulled pork, ready to pile onto buns.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 6-8 hours

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & pepper

1. Place everything in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Shred with forks and serve on buns.

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3. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

Minimal chopping, maximum flavor! This easy meal is a weeknight lifesaver. Roasted sausages with caramelized peppers and onions need no stirring or babysitting—just toss them in the oven and let the magic happen.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes

• 4 Italian sausages
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Toss everything on a baking sheet with olive oil and seasonings.
3. Roast for 25 minutes until sausages are browned and peppers are tender.

4. Lazy Lasagna Casserole

No layering, no fuss! This shortcut lasagna uses frozen ravioli for an effortless yet cheesy, comforting meal. It bakes in one dish, so cleanup is a breeze.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 40 minutes

• 1 bag frozen cheese ravioli
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer ravioli, marinara, ricotta, and mozzarella in a baking dish.
3. Repeat layers and top with extra cheese.
4. Bake for 40 minutes until bubbly and golden.

5. Instant Pot Taco Rice

This all-in-one dish delivers bold taco flavors with minimal effort. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, turning simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup rice
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup shredded cheese

1. Brown the meat in the Instant Pot.
2. Add everything else, stir, and seal the lid.
3. Cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick release and fluff with a fork.

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6. Baked Pesto Salmon

No stove, no mess—just pure, flaky salmon with a delicious pesto crust. It’s a restaurant-quality meal with almost zero effort!

Recipe:

Prep time: 3 minutes | Cook time: 12 minutes

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp pesto
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet and spread pesto on top.
3. Bake for 12 minutes until flaky.

7. Creamy One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

Like mac and cheese but fancier! This creamy pasta is a one-pot dream—no draining required, just silky, cheesy goodness.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

• 2 cups pasta
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded parmesan

1. Simmer pasta, milk, broth, and garlic in a pot.
2. Stir frequently until pasta is tender.
3. Mix in parmesan and serve warm.

8. Slow Cooker Chili

This chili practically cooks itself! Just dump everything in, walk away, and return to a pot of rich, meaty chili ready to devour.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 6 hours

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 packet chili seasoning
• 1 cup beef broth

1. Brown beef, then add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Serve with cheese or sour cream.

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9. Baked Caprese Chicken

This dish feels gourmet but takes almost no effort. Juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze make for a simple yet stunning meal.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella slices
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place chicken in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and season.
3. Top with tomatoes and mozzarella.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, then drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

10. Cheesy Tuna Melt Quesadilla

A crunchy, cheesy tuna melt but even easier! This quesadilla version delivers creamy, melty goodness in minutes with almost zero cleanup.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 5 minutes

• 1 can tuna, drained
• ¼ cup mayo
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• 2 large flour tortillas
• 1 tbsp butter

1. Mix tuna, mayo, mustard, and cheddar.
2. Spread onto a tortilla, top with another tortilla.
3. Cook in a buttered skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.

11. Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki

Tender, saucy, and packed with flavor, this chicken teriyaki slow-cooks itself while you go about your day. Serve over rice for an easy meal.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 4 hours

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• ½ cup water

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 4 hours.
3. Shred chicken and serve over rice.

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12. 15-Minute Shrimp Scampi

A fancy-looking dish that takes almost no effort. Garlicky, buttery shrimp over pasta is the perfect lazy-night meal when you need something quick but satisfying.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes

• ½ lb shrimp, peeled
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 8 oz pasta, cooked

1. Sauté garlic in butter for 1 minute.
2. Add shrimp, red pepper, and broth. Cook for 5 minutes.
3. Toss with pasta and serve.

13. Baked Feta Pasta

The viral TikTok pasta that’s effortless and delicious! The oven roasts everything to perfection, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce with zero stirring.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes

• 1 block feta cheese
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 8 oz pasta, cooked

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place feta and tomatoes in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and red pepper.
3. Bake for 35 minutes. Stir with cooked pasta.

14. No-Boil Baked Ziti

This pasta dish requires no boiling! Just mix, bake, and enjoy cheesy, saucy perfection with minimal effort.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 40 minutes

• 2 cups uncooked ziti
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix uncooked pasta, marinara, water, and ricotta in a baking dish.
3. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Uncover, top with mozzarella, and bake 10 more minutes.

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15. Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Juicy, flavorful steak bites that cook in minutes! This dish feels luxurious but requires almost no effort—just a hot pan and a little butter.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 7 minutes

• 1 lb sirloin steak, cubed
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt & pepper

1. Heat butter in a skillet over high heat.
2. Add steak bites, season, and sear for 2 minutes per side.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

16. 10-Minute Egg Fried Rice

Leftover rice transforms into a fast, flavorful meal in minutes. This dish is a lazy-night lifesaver when you want something filling but easy.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 5 minutes

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• ½ cup frozen peas
• 1 tsp sesame oil

1. Scramble eggs in a pan, then set aside.
2. Add rice, soy sauce, and peas to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
3. Mix in eggs and sesame oil.

17. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Skip the stovetop—this slow cooker version of mac and cheese is ultra-creamy and effortless!

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 2 hours

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp mustard powder

1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve warm and cheesy!

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18. Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken

This three-ingredient dish requires no prep! Just dump everything in a baking dish and let the oven do the work.

Recipe:

Prep time: 2 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ cup shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place chicken in a baking dish, top with salsa.
3. Bake for 25 minutes, then sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 more minutes.

19. One-Pot Lemon Garlic Orzo

This creamy, zesty orzo comes together in one pot with almost no effort. It’s light, comforting, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect lazy-night meal.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ½ cup grated parmesan

1. Sauté garlic in butter.
2. Add orzo and broth, simmer for 10 minutes until tender.
3. Stir in lemon juice and parmesan, then serve warm.

20. 15-Minute Thai Peanut Noodles

These noodles are rich, nutty, and spicy—all in under 15 minutes! No need for takeout when you can whip this up faster than delivery.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes

• 8 oz noodles
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder

1. Cook noodles according to package.
2. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and garlic powder.
3. Toss noodles with sauce and serve.

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21. Baked Potato Bar

A baked potato is a lazy-night MVP! Pile it high with toppings and call it dinner. It’s hearty, hands-free, and endlessly customizable.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 50 minutes

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• Toppings: cheese, sour cream, bacon, chives

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rub potatoes with oil and salt.
3. Bake for 50 minutes until crispy outside, fluffy inside.
4. Slice open and load with toppings.

22. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

When you’re too tired to cook, rotisserie chicken saves the day! These tacos take five minutes and taste incredible.

Recipe:

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 0 minutes

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
• ½ cup salsa
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• 8 small tortillas
• ½ avocado, sliced

1. Mix shredded chicken with salsa.
2. Fill tortillas with chicken, cheese, and avocado.
3. Serve immediately!

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