17 Recipes for When Simplicity Is All You Can Handle

When life gets hectic, simple recipes are a lifesaver. Our collection of 17 easy dishes helps you whip up meals with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Perfect for those days when you just need something quick and tasty. With these recipes, simplicity is always delicious.

Close-up of a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup garnished with herbs, seeds, and two slices of seasoned bread. The soup has a swirled texture and a vibrant orange color.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Macaroni Salad

A spoon lifting a serving of creamy macaroni salad with diced red onion and fresh herbs, with pepper sprinkled on top.
Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Remember that one dish your aunt always brought to the family BBQ? Time to update it with Macaroni Salad, your new go-to. Mixing this up is easier than deciding what to binge-watch next. It’s creamy, it’s dreamy, it’s the macaroni salad that will have everyone asking, “Can I have the recipe?”
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Eggplant Casserole

A plate of eggplant casserole with sauce and cheese.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When the fridge is full but your will to cook is minimal, there’s one hero that stands tall: the humble eggplant. Eggplant Casserole is your go-to for turning that ‘meh’ into ‘yeah’ without breaking a sweat. Seriously, mix some stuff, layer it, bake it, and bam – gourmet with minimal effort. It’s like the lazy Sunday of recipes; comforting, easy, and surprisingly tasty.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Slices of cucumber tossed in spicy Korean dressing.
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

So, you want to spice up your life but you’re not ready to commit to a full-on dish? Say hello to Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. It’s the perfect sidekick – spicy, and crunchy, and it’ll make your meal look like you know way more about international cuisine than you actually might. A few simple steps and you’ve got the tang and zing your dinner was missing.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Pinwheel Sandwiches

Close-up of several tortilla pinwheel wraps filled with various ingredients including spinach, cream cheese, tomatoes, and other vegetables, arranged neatly on a white surface.
Pinwheel Sandwiches. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Let’s be real, sandwiches are amazing. But Pinwheel Sandwiches? A whole new level of awesome. They’re fun to make, fun to eat, and make you look like you’ve got your party game on lock. It’s like your favorite sandwich went on a spa day and came back looking fancy.
Get the Recipe: Pinwheel Sandwiches

Pasta Primavera

A colorful Pasta Primavera salad with cherry tomatoes, asparagus, peas, and spinach in a blue bowl.
Pasta Primavera. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If your kitchen skills are more ‘aspiring’ than ‘inspiring,’ Pasta Primavera is here to change the game. It’s like wearing sweatpants but for dinner – ultra-comforting, and nobody’s judging. This dish puts a rainbow of veggies at center stage, proving that yes, you can make something delicious AND pretty without a cooking degree. Bonus? It’s spaghetti wearing its veggie best.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Primavera

Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup

A close-up of a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup garnished with croutons, a sprig of mint, and grated cheese.
Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Feeling down? Nothing a bowl of Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup can’t fix. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl. This dish combines broccoli, cheese, and love, proving that yes, even broccoli can be the star of the show when it’s this cozy. Perfect for when you need a little comfort without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy, Cheesy, Broccoli Soup

Morel Mushroom Pasta

A bowl of cavatappi pasta with morel mushrooms, garnished with grated cheese and fresh herbs.
Morel Mushroom Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ever wanted to impress someone without actually working too hard? Morel Mushroom Pasta is your ticket to “Wow, you made this?” city. It’s fancy mushrooms doing the heavy lifting, with pasta as their trusty sidekick. Light some candles, and let the dish do all the talking.
Get the Recipe: Morel Mushroom Pasta

French Toast Casserole

A person taking a portion of French toast casserole.
French Toast Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Woke up late and now you’re in charge of brunch? No worries, French Toast Casserole has your back. It’s like someone took regular French toast and thought, “Let’s make this even easier and more delicious.” Prepare it the night before and sleep in without a care. Morning you will seem like a time-managing wizard and cooking genius all rolled into one.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Casserole

Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

A bowl of Thai jasmine rice and chili peppers.
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Alright, so you’ve burned water in the past – no judgment here. But when it’s time to really impress someone with your not-so-mad cooking skills, Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice comes to the rescue. This dish is all about simplicity meeting elegance on your dinner table. And when you lift the lid to that fragrant, steamy pot, even your neighbors will know you’ve nailed it.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

Yellow Squash Casserole

Squash casserole being served with a wooden serving spoon.
Yellow Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Meet the dish that’s going to make you look at squash and go, “Where have you been all my life?” Yellow Squash Casserole is that perfect combo of comfort and ‘I-can’t-believe-I-made-this.’ It’s your cooking mic drop at family dinners, making even veggie skeptics come back for seconds. So simple, and yet, oh so fancy!
Get the Recipe: Yellow Squash Casserole

Chickpea Nuggets

A plate of chickpea nuggets with a bowl of sauce.
Chickpea Nuggets. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Tired of the same old snacks? Chickpea Nuggets are about to become your new best friends. They are crunchy, they’re tasty, and guess what? They’re made from chickpeas – talk about a plot twist! Perfect for when you want that comfort food vibe without the food coma aftermath.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Nuggets

Asparagus Casserole

Cheesy asparagus casserole on a plate with a fork.
Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ever look at asparagus and think, “What do I do with you?” Asparagus Casserole is the answer to your cooking prayers. It’s a creamy, dreamy, veggie-packed dish that says, “I’ve got my life together,” even if you’re still figuring out your laundry schedule. Whip this up, and watch your guests try to hide their surprise.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Red Cabbage Coleslaw

A bowl of fresh red cabbage coleslaw garnished with herbs.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

In the mood for something crunchy, tangy, and colorful? Dive into Red Cabbage Coleslaw. It laughs in the face of a traditional coleslaw, bringing a vibrant kick to any plate it graces. This is your ticket to slaw fame, my friend. It’s a bowl of pure, crunchy joy.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Vegetable Casserole

A baked casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

For those nights when you stare into the abyss of your fridge unsure of what to make, the Vegetable Casserole is here to save your dinner plans. It’s like a party where all the veggies in your fridge are invited. Easy, healthy, and you can say “it’s casseroled” like it’s a cooking technique. Bonus points for acting like it took more effort than it actually did.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole

Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

A close-up image of layered lemon raspberry cake slices topped with fresh raspberries and lemon zest.
Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sweets are your downfall, but baking isn’t your strong suit. Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars are here to make you look like a pastry chef without the stress. They’re the cool, refreshing zing you need in your dessert game, blending tart, sweet, and creamy like it’s nobody’s business. It’s like the lazy river ride of baking; maximum enjoyment, minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

If you’ve ever thought zucchini was boring, Cheesy Zucchini Casserole is about to blow your mind. It’s cheesy, it’s easy, and it’s surprisingly fun to make. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a no-judgment zone where zucchini can finally shine. Plus, anything cheesy always wins, right?
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Close-up of a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup garnished with herbs, seeds, and two slices of seasoned bread. The soup has a swirled texture and a vibrant orange color.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sometimes, all you need is a soup that feels like a warm blanket. Enter Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, a creamy, dreamy concoction that’s like fall in a bowl. Easy to whip up and even easier to devour. It’s basically your favorite sweater, but edible and infinitely more delicious.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

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