17 Weeknight Recipes Because Dinner Should Be Easier Than Your Workday

ByMandy

When work has you feeling fried, the kitchen shouldn’t add to your stress. With these 17 recipes, making dinner becomes the easiest part of your day. Say farewell to the takeout menu—these meals come together with minimal fuss. Enjoy more time relaxing, less time cooking.

Close-up of a baked casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Close-up of beef and cheese sliders with toasted buns on a white surface.
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Small but packed with flavor, Philly Cheesesteak Sliders bring all the best parts of the classic sandwich into bite-sized form. Melted cheese, tender beef, and soft rolls make these an easy win for a quick meal. No need for a griddle or hoagie rolls—just stack, bake, and serve.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Ravioli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with ravioli, mushrooms, asparagus, and melted cheese on top.
Ravioli Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Pasta without the extra steps is always a good idea, and Ravioli Casserole does just that. It skips the boiling and layering while still delivering all the cheesy, saucy goodness of a baked pasta dish. Everything cooks together in one dish, making it low effort but high reward.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole

Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Close-up of loaded Buffalo chicken nachos piled high with shredded chicken, jalapeños, cheese, green onions, hot sauce, and a dollop of sour cream.
Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Nachos for dinner? Absolutely. Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos bring crispy chips, spicy chicken, and melted cheese together in the best way possible. They’re easy to throw together and even easier to eat straight from the pan. Whether it’s game night or just a snack-heavy dinner, this one keeps things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Cheese Ravioli

A white plate of ravioli topped with black pepper, grated cheese, and sage leaves.
Cheese Ravioli. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

When dinner needs to be fast but still feel like a real meal, Cheese Ravioli gets the job done. Soft pasta pillows filled with cheese make for an easy, no-fuss dinner that’s ready in minutes. Add sauce and maybe some extra toppings, and it’s good to go. A solid option when you need something quick that doesn’t feel rushed.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Ravioli

Beef Pot Pie

A golden-brown homemade pie with a flaky crust, garnished with a sprig of rosemary on the side.
Beef Pot Pie. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Comfort food that doesn’t take all day to make? That’s where Beef Pot Pie comes in. A rich, hearty filling tucked under a golden crust makes for a meal that feels homemade without the hassle. Everything bakes together into one hearty dish. No need for fancy techniques—just bake, scoop, and enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Beef Pot Pie

Spaghetti Casserole

A serving of cheesy baked spaghetti is being lifted with a utensil. The dish is topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs.
Spaghetti Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Spaghetti is great, but turning it into Spaghetti Casserole makes it even easier to serve and eat. Everything bakes together into a cheesy, layered dish that holds up well for leftovers. No need to twirl noodles or deal with extra pots. Just scoop and enjoy a pasta dinner with way less mess.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

Baked Rice

A close-up of a bowl of oven-baked fried rice mixed with colorful vegetables like green beans, bell peppers, and scallions, with a spoon resting inside.
Baked Rice. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cooking rice on the stove is fine, but letting it bake to fluffy perfection makes things even easier. Baked Rice takes all the guesswork out of it, with no stirring or watching the pot. It comes out light and evenly cooked every time. Great as a side or the base for whatever you’re throwing together for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rice

Three Cheese Manicotti

A plate of stuffed cannelloni topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and fresh basil.
Three Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A pasta dish that feels a little extra but doesn’t require much effort? That’s Three Cheese Manicotti. Large pasta tubes stuffed with creamy, cheesy filling bake into a meal that looks impressive but is easy to pull off. Everything softens in the oven, making it a no-stress way to serve a cheesy, baked pasta dish.
Get the Recipe: Three Cheese Manicotti

The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Fork lifting a serving of cheesy cheeseburger casserole garnished with parsley.
BEST Cheeseburger Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Burgers are great, but sometimes a full-on burger night isn’t in the cards. The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole takes all the best parts and turns them into an easy, scoopable meal. No flipping patties, no assembling buns—just layers of cheesy, meaty goodness baked into one dish.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Spaghetti Bolognese

A plate of spaghetti topped with meat sauce and a fresh basil leaf, accompanied by a fork on the side.
Spaghetti Bolognese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Classic, simple, and always a hit, Spaghetti Bolognese brings a rich, slow-cooked taste without needing hours on the stove. A hearty sauce coats every strand of pasta, making it a meal that feels like home. It’s easy to double for leftovers, and the flavors only get better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese

Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Golden fried chicken pieces with a side of dipping sauce.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Making Chick-fil-A Nuggets at home means you get that same crispy, juicy bite without leaving the house. Perfect for dipping, snacking, or turning into a full meal, they’re easy to make and even easier to eat. Whether it’s for the family or just yourself, they disappear fast. A solid way to bring fast food home.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Homemade KFC Zinger Burger

A chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and sauce on a bun, with fries in the background.
Homemade KFC Zinger Burger. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Fast food cravings hit hard, but making Homemade KFC Zinger Burger at home keeps it fresh and just the way you like it. The crispy chicken, soft bun, and just the right amount of heat make for a solid homemade version. No drive-thru needed—just a little prep, and you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Homemade KFC Zinger Burger

Easy Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Some nights, you just need a meal that takes care of itself. Easy Chicken Casserole does exactly that by baking everything in one dish with minimal effort. It’s warm, filling, and perfect for nights when you don’t feel like standing over the stove. Just bake, serve, and move on with your evening.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Casserole

Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

A dish of ravioli with bacon and parsley that can be found at Olive Garden.
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy, rich, and full of flavor, Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara brings the restaurant’s favorite straight to your kitchen. No reservations are needed, just a quick, easy way to get a pasta dish that tastes like you ordered it. The sauce clings to every bite, making it hard to put down.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

Cowboy Casserole

Close-up of a cowboy casserole in a white dish, showing layers of ground meat and vegetables topped with a golden-brown mashed potato crust, garnished with chopped parsley.
Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Looking for a hearty, loaded meal that’s baked into one pan? Cowboy Casserole is the perfect choice. It fills you up without a bunch of extra steps, with layers of flavor and just the right amount of crunch on top. Everything blends together into a comforting, easy dish.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Easy Chicken Tenders

Breaded chicken tenders served on a plate with dipping sauce.
Easy Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Skip the frozen bag and make Easy Chicken Tenders fresh at home. They come out crisp, juicy, and way better than anything prepackaged. Perfect for dipping or throwing on a salad, they’re a solid go-to when you want something simple. No drive-thru necessary—just a quick way to get a favorite snack on the table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Tenders

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Close-up of a baked casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped parsley.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Stuffed peppers are great, but skipping the extra work makes them even better. Stuffed Pepper Casserole takes all those flavors and turns them into a dish that’s way easier to serve. Everything bakes together into a warm, hearty meal with no stuffing required. Just scoop and enjoy—same great taste, less hassle.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

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