Picture this: You’ve just come home after a jam-packed day, you’re juggling a million things, and everyone in the house is starving. I know first-hand that the temptation to order takeout instead of prepping in the kitchen is real. But what if you had a collection of healthy and satisfying meals that you knew you could prep in 30 minutes or less? Behold—our “too tired to cook” recipes are here to save the day (or night).
Cooking fatigue is real, especially at the start of a new year when there’s a lot going on. These recipes don’t require much prep—and just as important, don’t leave you with a sink full of dishes to clean. Most of them also only require one pot and minimal ingredients. A home-cooked meal has never felt this good.
14 Recipes for When You’re Just Too Tired to Cook
Mustard-Roasted Salmon and Veggies
Kicking things off with one of my favorite sheet pan ingredients and meals—salmon! Salmon is a superhero ingredient that can be baked in under 20 minutes alongside nutritious veggies and a simple sauce.
Sweet Potato Harvest Hash
Craving comfort food? This sweet potato hash makes for a satisfying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The best thing about a one-pan recipe like this is the ability to substitute whatever ingredients you have on hand—no Brussels sprouts? Throw on some broccoli. The possibilities are endless.
Pear, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese
In my book, grilled cheese is THE meal for when you don’t want to cook. To uplevel your sandwich from the basic bread and cheese, throw on a bit of prosciutto, creamy mozzarella, and fresh greens. Your body will thank you later.
Smoky, Spicy Cauliflower Salad
I could go on and on about my obsession with this cauliflower salad. However, this dish is also a star because of how simple it is to prep and throw together in advance. Your chickpeas and cauliflower are roasted on the same baking sheet, and all of your greens can be diced and chopped while they’re in the oven.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
Packed with veggies and soft, pillowy gnocchi, this sheet pan dish is everything I look for in a quick and easy meal. It’s balanced and will keep you fueled for the rest of your day or evening.
Cheesy Pesto Gnocchi Bake
A one-skillet recipe is a great way to serve up a simple dish in no time. Make sure your skillet is oven-safe, and your gnocchi sauce has enough water so that your potato pasta can thoroughly cook before serving.
Lemony Sheet Pan Chicken With Artichokes
Chicken thighs are a total hero ingredient for a number of reasons. One, they’re much less inexpensive than chicken breasts, and two, they can be marinated and baked in under 20 minutes for a flavorful and protein-filled dinner!
Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad
I’m entirely on board with the dense bean salad trend, and so is Erewhon. However, to avoid a mile-long line and an over $20 bill, we recreated the famous recipe that can be assembled in 10 minutes and lasts 3-4 days in the fridge.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
This five-ingredient recipe is one I turn to almost every week. All you need from the grocery store is chicken breasts or tenderloins, taco seasoning, a handful of poblano or bell peppers, and the zest and juice of a few limes.
One Pot Summertime Pasta
As warmer weather quickly approaches, this one-pot pasta recipe is guaranteed a spot on your summer dinner menu. If you’re too tired to cook and do a handful of dishes after, this recipe is for you—all it requires is to boil all the ingredients together and enjoy!
Bacon, Apple, & Sweet Potato Pizza
If you have your local pizza parlor on speed dial for when you’re too tired to cook, you can ditch their number. After trying this nutritious and delicious bacon, apple, and sweet potato pizza with a homemade crust (or store-bought if you’re not feeling it), you’ll be convinced.
Creamy Lemon Pasta
This lemon pasta is arguably the most simple and satisfying dish we’ve created. When you’re not feeling a plate full of sauce or don’t have time to stir for what feels like hours on end, all this pasta takes is a bit of fresh parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and fresh spinach.
Fire-Roasted Tortellini Soup
Cozy season hasn’t quite come to an end, and for that reason, this tortellini soup is still on my weekly recipe rotation. The best hack for this recipe is buying a good quality pre-made tortellini from the store—the remainder of the ingredients cook in no time.
Smoked Salmon Toast
The hardest part about a recipe with smoked salmon is picking it up from the store! Once you have this superhero ingredient—packed with protein and healthy fats—you’re on your way to a luxurious and simple dining experience. This toast is everything you could want in an elaborate breakfast or lunch that takes under 10 minutes to make.
