What to Cook When You’re Just So Totally Done

Most nights, I know exactly what’s happening in my kitchen. We all have our preferred meal planning techniques when it comes to planning for the week, and my progression of saved inspo + family favorites + Notes app rundown is a well-oiled machine. Until… it’s not. And that night comes around when I’m too tired to cook—but I’ve still gotta get something on the table.

This manifests itself most in the dreaded Night You Return Home from Travelling dinner. I experienced this just this week. The last thing I felt like doing was making dinner, but I also couldn’t stomach another night eating out. And I’m very happy to share that I may have landed on my forever post-travel meal: flatbreads and pizza toppings. Everyone makes their own, and all I have to do is make sure nothing burns.

The truth is, on the nights when we’re uninspired, exhausted, overwhelmed, so, so busy (or some combination of the four), we still need to eat. In fact, it’s even more crucial that we do. The easy way out may sound appealing, but a quick nourishing meal will provide the stamina you need to live to the next dinner—perhaps with more inspiration to pick up a chef’s knife. But for the nights when you just can’t—and yet, you must—here’s a collection of easy, nourishing meals to whip up when you don’t feel like cooking.

Things on Toast

When in doubt, grab a loaf of sourdough. Fresh, toasted bread topped with a combination of something creamy, salty, spicy, and sweet requires nothing but assembly. It’s surprisingly satisfying and easy to make adjustments based on cravings (or what’s in the fridge).

Low-Lift Pastas

Some of the best pasta dishes come together in the time it takes to boil the water. High-quality ingredients like bronze-cut pastas, San Marzano tomatoes, and nutty parmesan make a 15-minute dinner remind you why cooking when you’re tired is worth the reward.

Everything-in-a-Bowl Meals

Weeknight bowls are a staple for nights when decision fatigue sets in. It’s easy to make something from “nothing”—leftover roasted chickpeas, pre-cut veggies, rotisserie chicken, tahini, a can of white beans, slivered almonds. Think in terms of formulas: protein + vegetable + something creamy + something crunchy, and you’re in business.

Eggs for Dinner

When in doubt, crack a few eggs. Scrambled with toast, over-easy with greens, whipped into a French omelette, or (our favorite) baked into a quick frittata, the breakfast-for-dinner classic always hits.

No-Cook (Or Close to It)

No-cook dinners, snacks for dinner, girl dinner—call it what you want. But listen, sometimes you just need to slice an apple with nut butter, roll up a few slices of deli turkey with cheese and olives, and call it a night.