29 Recipes That Let You Relax More And Cook Less

Ever feel like having a delicious meal but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen? Well, there’s a whole treasure trove of recipes out there designed just for those moments. These 29 gems are all about making life in the kitchen a breeze, offering flavors that satisfy without the fuss, making every dinner a little celebration of simplicity.

Wild Rice Casserole

Turn to Wild Rice Casserole for a dish that’s as easy as it is comforting. Just mix, bake, and then it’s time to dig in. It’s perfect for those days when you crave something hearty but need the evening to yourself. Let the oven take over and enjoy a meal that’s ready when you are.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Vegan Ratatouille

Let the oven bring out the sweet, rich flavors of vegetables in Vegan Ratatouille. Chop, season, roast, and enjoy every bite. That’s really all there is to it. This dish is about embracing simplicity while still putting a vibrant, nourishing meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ratatouille

Copycat Impossible Burger

Craving that burger taste without any of the meat? Whip up a Copycat Impossible Burger at home. It has all the flavors you love, mimicked in a plant-based form that’s simple to make. Fire up the skillet and get ready to impress with a burger night that’s both easy and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Impossible Burger

Vegetarian Chili

Slow-cooked flavor without the all-day wait, Vegetarian Chili can be your go-to for a fuss-free meal. Just throw everything into a pot and let it simmer to hearty perfection. It’s about keeping dinner straightforward but still packed with flavor. Perfect for those evenings when you want depth without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

Huevos Rancheros

Nothing beats a quick fix for morning hunger. With just a few minutes at the stove, Huevos Rancheros are ready before your coffee cools. They’re effortlessly hearty and will keep you powered through your day. Less cooking, more doing—that’s how mornings should start.
Get the Recipe: Huevos Rancheros

Lentil Soup

Soup’s on without watching the pot. Let Lentil Soup simmer on its own while you tackle a book or chat with friends. It’s a nutritious choice that grants you freedom as it cooks. Fill the pot, check it when you can, and serve up when you’re ready.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Egg Bites

If you’ve got a busy day ahead, prepping in advance means breakfast is on the table in no time. Load up on protein and customizable fillings with Egg Bites. They’re perfect while you’re on the move or when sitting down for a brief moment in the morning. Plus, they leave you more time for everything you’ve planned out for the day.
Get the Recipe: Egg Bites

Mac and Cheese

When comfort calls but time is scarce, Mac and Cheese is a tried and true hero. It’s uncomplicated, undemanding, and undeniably a hit with all ages. Stir it together, let it bake, and you’re all set. It’s about making life easier, without skimping on the creamy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Eggplant Casserole

Get a hearty veggie fix without standing over the stove all night. Mid-conversation, you could almost forget that Eggplant Casserole is baking to perfection in the oven. Make it once, and you’ve got a meal that serves you well for dinner and potential leftovers. No need to plan, just enjoy an easy evening.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Minestrone Soup

With a pot on the stove and time on your side, meals like Minestrone Soup come to life. It’s a vegetable-packed feast that needs little babysitting. Prep, simmer, and get on with your day—it’s that straightforward. You end up with a bowl full of goodness and a day still full of possibilities.
Get the Recipe: Minestrone Soup

Epic Bean Chili

Weeknights beg for a meal that comes together without a fuss. Epic Bean Chili bubbles away, requiring little more than a stir now and then. Prep, step back, and before you know it, dinner is ready to enjoy. It’s the definition of set-it-and-forget-it cooking, making your life simpler.
Get the Recipe: Epic Bean Chili

Hashbrown Casserole

Have you got other things to do than spend ages in the kitchen? Throw together a Hashbrown Casserole and let the oven handle the rest. It’s equally tasty for breakfast or dinner, and even better, it’s just as easy to prepare the night before. Cook once, eat twice, and put your feet up in between.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Bring island flavors to your table with minimal kitchen time. Jamaican Red Beans and Rice are a staple that doesn’t keep you tied to the kitchen. A meal that’s slow in cooking speed but quick in prep gives you back your evening. Set it, forget it, and before you know it, it’s time to eat.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Red Beans and Rice

Roasted Tomato Soup

Transform simple ingredients into a flavorful feast that asks so little of you. Roasted Tomato Soup cooks as the day goes on, ready when you are. Roast, blend, and let it simmer to perfection. It’s all about having more you-time, without compromising on a heartwarming meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup

Mashed Potatoes

Mashing takes minutes, and yet it makes a meal feel complete. Mashed Potatoes are the go-to that you can prep ahead, reheat, and serve without fuss. There’s no need to peel potatoes at the last minute or rush around. It’s about keeping your cool and bringing comfort to the table with ease.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

When you need warmth and comfort, let the oven and blender do everything for you. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is a hug in a bowl with none of the stress. Roast, blend, and warm up; it’s simplicity meets comfort. Now, finding that cozy spot on the couch is all that’s left to do.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Pizza Rolls

Forget about delivery times and make your own party favorite at home. Pizza Rolls solve that craving but keep the kitchen clean-up to a minimum. Whip them up, bake, and watch them disappear. It’s the ultimate way to snack, relax, and unwind.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Pasta Primavera

Bringing a rainbow of vegetables to your plate has never been easier. Pasta Primavera is like a season on a fork, but without all the hassle. Boil pasta, sauté veggies, and mix. It’s all about getting back to basics while keeping dinner light and easy.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Ravioli Casserole

It’s like someone took all the love and care from Italian cooking and made it weeknight friendly. With Ravioli Casserole, layers of pasta and cheese come together with almost no effort. Just assemble, bake, and you’ve got a meal that feeds the soul as well as the stomach. Catch up on your favorite show while it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Scalloped Potatoes

When you want something hearty but the thought of standing over the stove doesn’t appeal, it’s time for Scalloped Potatoes. Slice, layer, season, bake, and indulge. That’s it. Now all you have to do is wait, relax, and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Mushroom Soup

Turn a humble ingredient into a creamy, comforting meal. Mushroom Soup requires minimal preparation and cooks while you’re taking care of other things. Just sauté, simmer, and blend. It’s about the joy of a warm bowl without the work.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Soup

Stuffed Peppers

Fill them, bake them, love them—it’s that simple with Stuffed Peppers. Get everything ready, put it in the oven, and then go about your business. By the time you’ve settled down, dinner is served. It’s the perfect way to end a day with minimal effort but maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Three Cheese Manicotti

With a trio of cheeses wrapped in soft pasta, Three Cheese Manicotti is comfort food that practically melts in your mouth. Just stuff, bake, and then all you have to do is enjoy. Even better, it’s a make-ahead dream, freeing your evening for whatever you choose. Dig into a dish that does the heavy lifting for you.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

Potato Casserole

Let your oven do the heavy lifting tonight. Potato Casserole becomes the solution to your question of what’s for dinner without standing around. Mix it all up, slide it into the oven, and relax. It’ll be ready to enjoy without another thought.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Tortellini Soup

Nothing says cozy like a hot bowl of Tortellini Soup, especially when it asks so little of you. Toss everything in a pot and let it simmer to perfection. It’s the kind of meal that gives you a break when you need it. Plus, it’s versatile enough to fit whatever’s in your pantry.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup

Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Who says you can’t have dessert first, especially when it’s as easy as this? Salted Caramel Cheesecake demands attention but only at the start. Prepare, bake, and then forget about it until it’s chilled and ready. It’s a sweet finish to your day that practically makes it.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Twice Baked Potatoes

Why settle for ordinary when you can have Twice Baked Potatoes with hardly any extra effort? Bake, scoop, mix, and bake again. It’s that easy to transform simple spuds into a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Let your oven do the work and take all the credit for a dish that impresses every time.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

White Bean Soup

When the day calls for something warm and nourishing, White Bean Soup steps up without tying you to the kitchen. A soothing blend of beans and broth simmers to perfection without needing a watchful eye. It’s about letting you unwind while dinner practically makes itself. Now finding that cozy spot while it cooks is your only task.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup

Vegetarian Stew

Hearty, nourishing, and effortlessly delicious, Vegetarian Stew offers a big bowl of comfort. Chop, toss, simmer, and it’s done. A perfect choice for when you want something wholesome without any complicated steps. This is about ending your day with a warm welcome home, minus the stress.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Stew