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The 50 Best Dinner Ideas for Stressed-Out People

Whether you’re always running a mile a minute or are just having a rough week, it’s time to slow down, take a deep breath and whatever you do, don’t reach for a bag of chips. Make one of these quick, easy and nourishing dinners instead.

The 50 Laziest Dinner Recipes in the Universe


15-minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta

Easier—and healthier—than dumping in a jar of marinara.

Chicken With Roasted Carrots

When you’re strapped for time, cook everything at once.

Creamy Curried Quinoa

Coterie member Gena Hamshaw takes us back to the comforting basics.

15-minute Mezze Plate With Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread

Finger foods are the best foods.

Grilled Peach, Chicken And Ricotta Pizza

Feeding the whole family has never been easier.

Spiralized Summer Squash Casserole With Gluten-free Breadcrumbs

It looks like comfort food, it tastes like comfort food, but it’s actually healthy. And it’s all thanks to Coterie member Ali Maffucci.

Grilled Lemon-herb Chicken And Avocado Salad

Can’t stop, won’t stop (eating it, that is).

Greek Chicken And Rice Skillet

Entertaining tonight? Don’t sweat it.

Vegan Slow-cooker Detox Coconut Soup

Set it and completely forget it.

Cheater’s Vegetarian Pizza With Zucchini And Bell Peppers

Bruschetta Chicken

Lean protein is a better vehicle than a baguette.

Baked Zucchini ‘ziti’ Spirals With Mozzarella

Way easier to whip up than lasagna.

Split Pea Veggie Wrap With Cilantro-mint Chutney

Our favorite last-minute dinner from Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp.

Zucchini & Tomato Ragù

A one-dish wonder.

Sheet Pan Indian-spiced Chicken

Bring on the flavorful, easy Indian food.

Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe

Lucky for you, it takes just 30 minutes.

One-pan Creamy Chicken Fricassee With Sage

Effortlessly elegant.

Family Style Chicken Caesar Salad

The ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Meal-prep Turkey Meatballs With Zucchini Noodles

Spicy Corn Carbonara

Creamy, but not heavy.

Honey-lime Chicken Veggies In Foil

No cleanup sounds pretty nice, right?

Fish Taco Bowls

You have Coterie member Gaby Dalkin to thank for this easy, breezy dinner.

Summer Skillet Gnocchi With Grilled Corn And Burrata

Thirty minutes, and this deliciousness is yours.

Zoodles With Summer Vegetables

We feel you relaxing.

Three-minute Cast Iron Steak

Fastest fancy dinner ever, thanks to the brilliance of Coterie member Jess Larson.

Grilled Peach And Halloumi Salad With Lemon-pesto Dressing

You won’t be starving in five minutes.

Cheater’s Hawaiian Pizza

Just like the ‘90s…but way classier.

Cauliflower Sweet Potato Burgers

Make a big batch and freeze some for later.

Skillet Roast Chicken With Peaches, Tomatoes And Red Onion

Baked Sesame-ginger Salmon In Parchment

No pots or pans required.

One-pot, 15-minute Pasta Limone

Keep this dinner idea in your back pocket.

Roasted Drumsticks And Tomatoes

It’s as easy as rotisserie…but way more creative.

Crock-pot Corn Chowder

Bookmark this one for a rainy day.

Skillet Pasta With Summer Squash, Ricotta And Basil

Eat your heart out, spaghetti and meatballs.

Chicken Tinga Tacos

No one will know you used store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Quick Guacamole And Quinoa Salad

It’s basically a giant bowl of guac masquerading as a salad.

Lime Chicken With Corn And Poblano Salad

Zest, hearty and spicy.

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad With Cilantro Vinaigrette

Skillet Steak With Asparagus And Potatoes

Sirloin has never been so foolproof.

Ginger Pineapple Shrimp Stir Fry

Whip this up when you’re dining solo.

Salmon Bowl With Farro, Black Beans And Tahini Dressing

The most delicious way to glow from the inside out.

Sheet Pan Eggs With Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese And Dill

Breakfast for dinner = best thing ever.

Spring Roll Bowls

Our new favorite way to get our noodle fix.

spicy bean sweet potato tacos recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Spicy Bean And Sweet Potato Tacos

Canned black beans jumpstart this hearty dinner.

Get the recipe

Ketogenic Baked Eggs And Zoodles With Avocado

Do it for the ‘Gram.

Linguine With Bacon, Peaches And Gorgonzola

You’ll want to lick the plate.

Tomato Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs

Presenting our new favorite barbecue side.

Slow-cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs

Like a giant hug, in food-form.

Spanish Tortilla With Burrata And Herbs

Bonus: You can make these beauties ahead of time.

Thai Chicken Salad


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Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?