17 Easy Meals for When You Just Can’t Be Bothered : Thermocookery

Some days, cooking feels like too much effort, but you still need a meal that fills you up. These 17 easy recipes require minimal prep and simple ingredients, making them perfect for when you just can’t be bothered. Whether it’s a quick dinner or a no-fuss snack, these dishes come together with little work. With easy cleanup and great flavors, they make mealtime stress-free.

A close-up of a baked casserole in a red dish, featuring melted cheese, black beans, chopped green onions, and diced vegetables. The dish appears freshly cooked and is portioned into squares. — Tex Mex Casserole. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

A dish in a black baking pan filled with baked casserole. The top is golden brown with crispy edges and garnished with sliced green onions. A portion has been removed, revealing a creamy interior. — Chicken Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Shredded hash browns, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce bake together for a filling meal. A crispy topping adds texture, making every bite satisfying. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, with most of the time spent in the oven. A simple, one-dish meal perfect for when you don’t want to cook.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hash Brown Casserole

Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy zucchini casserole being served with a spoon. The dish features layers of melted cheese, sliced zucchini, ground meat, and herbs, with a golden-brown crust. — Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Ground beef, zucchini, and rice come together in this hearty, one-pan meal. The combination of flavors creates a rich and satisfying dish without much effort. It takes about 45 minutes to make, with minimal prep required. A great option for when you need something filling but don’t want to fuss over dinner.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

A plate of glazed barbecue chicken drumsticks garnished with small parsley leaves. The chicken is coated in a shiny, dark sauce, suggesting a rich, flavorful marinade. The dish is arranged to highlight the crispy, caramelized skin. — Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy, caramelized BBQ chicken drumsticks cook up fast in the air fryer. The sauce sticks perfectly to the golden skin, creating a smoky, savory bite. They take about 30 minutes to cook, with little effort needed. A quick, mess-free way to get a flavorful meal on the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

A baked dish of zucchini lasagna with a golden-brown cheese topping. A wooden spatula lifts a square piece, revealing layers of zucchini, cheese, and spinach. The casserole dish is partly cut, showing more servings. Garnished with herbs. — Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Layers of butternut squash, spinach, and cheese bake into a creamy, comforting lasagna. The natural sweetness of the squash balances the savory layers. It takes about an hour to make, but the oven does most of the work. A rich and easy option when you want a filling meal without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

Low Carb Instant Pot Pot Roast- Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

A roasted beef dish topped with mushrooms and garnished with parsley is served on a white plate, perfect for stress-free weeknight dinners. Surrounding the beef are roasted red potatoes, and a textured napkin is placed beside the plate for added elegance. — Low Carb Instant Pot Pot Roast- Pressure Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Tender beef, carrots, and onions cook in a rich broth for a classic pot roast. The Instant Pot speeds up the process, making this meal ready in about 90 minutes. The slow-cooked flavors come together with minimal work. A satisfying dish for when you want comfort food without hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Instant Pot Pot Roast- Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby. — Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Juicy chicken simmers in marinara sauce for a slow-cooked meal that requires almost no effort. The slow cooker does all the work in about six hours. The tomato sauce keeps the chicken tender and full of flavor. Serve over pasta or bread for a simple dinner with little cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

A black plate with a serving of broccoli casserole, topped with breadcrumbs. A fork rests on the plate. The background is a marble surface, with some green plant decorations partially visible. — Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Soft broccoli bakes in a dairy-free creamy sauce with a crispy topping. The simple ingredients make this a satisfying plant-based meal. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, with little hands-on time. A great choice for when you need something warm and easy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

A close-up image of a casserole dish filled with a cheesy cabbage casserole. The top is golden brown and crispy, with a serving spoon lifting a portion, revealing melted cheese and tender cabbage underneath. — Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup). Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Soft cabbage bakes with a rich cheese sauce and crispy crackers for extra texture. The cheese melts into the dish, creating a smooth, comforting flavor. It takes about 45 minutes to bake, with minimal prep required. A simple and satisfying side or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Casserole with Cracker Topping (No Canned Soup)

Want to save this?

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week.

Chicken and Date Casserole

Tender chicken bakes with sweet dates in a flavorful sauce for a mix of savory and sweet. The combination of soft fruit and rich sauce makes each bite satisfying. It takes about 50 minutes to prepare, with most of the time spent in the oven. A great choice when you want something different but easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Date Casserole

Air Fryer Cheese Bites

A plate of breaded chicken nuggets garnished with parsley. The nuggets are golden brown, and the dish is placed on a white surface with a striped cloth partially visible. — Air Fryer Cheese Bites. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Warm, melty cheese is coated in a crisp, golden crust for a quick snack. The air fryer makes them crispy on the outside while keeping the inside gooey. They take about 15 minutes to prepare, making them perfect for a last-minute bite. A fast, mess-free way to get a cheesy snack without much work.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Bites

Easy Moussaka

Close-up of a baked casserole dish featuring layers of cheese with crispy golden edges, topped with fresh green herbs. — Easy Moussaka. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Layers of roasted eggplant, seasoned meat, and creamy béchamel sauce make this a filling dish. The oven does most of the work, bringing all the flavors together. It takes about 50 minutes to prepare, but the prep is simple. A hearty meal that requires little effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Moussaka

Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

A plate of crispy tofu cubes garnished with cilantro is placed next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce in a blue dish. — Crispy Air Fryer Tofu. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Firm tofu crisps up in the air fryer with a light, flavorful seasoning. The high heat creates a crunchy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft. It takes about 20 minutes to make, with minimal hands-on time. A quick and easy plant-based protein option.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate. — Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Golden, crispy chicken wings cook fast in the air fryer with a bold Italian seasoning blend. The high heat keeps the skin crispy while the inside stays juicy. They take about 25 minutes to prepare, with no deep frying needed. A fast, mess-free way to get restaurant-style wings at home.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Gingerbread Loaf Casserole

A plate of bread pudding topped with two dollops of whipped cream. A fork rests on the plate. In the background, a baking dish with more bread pudding is partially visible on a marble surface. Decorative items are placed around. — Gingerbread Loaf Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Warm gingerbread bakes into a soft, spiced loaf perfect for breakfast or dessert. The flavors of molasses, cinnamon, and ginger create a rich, comforting taste. It takes about 50 minutes to bake, but the prep is quick. A simple way to get a homemade treat without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf Casserole

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

A baked dish with a large serving of cheesy cauliflower in a glass baking dish is next to a white plate holding a portion of the same dish. The background is a light wooden surface. A fork is visible beside the plate. — Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Soft cauliflower bakes in a creamy cheese sauce for a simple, satisfying dish. The crispy topping adds texture, making each bite rich and flavorful. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, with most of the time in the oven. A no-fuss side dish that pairs well with any meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Baked Oysters Mornay Recipe with Breadcrumbs, Butter, and Garlic

A glass dish filled with baked oysters topped with creamy sauce and garnished with fresh parsley. Lemon slices and oyster shells are placed nearby on a wooden surface, along with garlic cloves. — Easy Baked Oysters Mornay Recipe with Breadcrumbs, Butter, and Garlic. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Fresh oysters bake under a creamy Mornay sauce with a crispy breadcrumb topping. The combination of butter, garlic, and melted cheese makes for a rich, satisfying dish. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare, making it a great choice for a quick seafood meal. A simple but impressive dish with little work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Oysters Mornay Recipe with Breadcrumbs, Butter, and Garlic

Tex Mex Casserole

Layers of seasoned beef, beans, cheese, and tortillas bake together in a flavorful one-pan meal. The ingredients blend together for a warm, comforting bite. It takes about 40 minutes to make, with minimal effort. A great way to get a hearty, no-fuss dinner on the table.
Get the Recipe: Tex Mex Casserole