60 Lazy Dinner Ideas Using Our Easiest Recipes
You busy folks deserve a break!
- Quick and easy meal ideas for busy weeknights, including sheet pan dinners and slow cooker recipes, are perfect for those looking to simplify their cooking routine.
Key Takeaways
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Thanks to short ingredients lists, a trusty slow cooker, and all-in-one recipes, these lazy meals come together faster than you can get takeout.
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Lazy meals like Bourbon-Glazed Salmon, Chicken Parmesan Pizza, and Heirloom Tomato Cracker Salad don't skimp on flavor.
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Give a favorite dish a speedy spin, like Sloppy Joe Casserole, Skillet Enchiladas Suizas, or Mini Chicken Pot Pies.
We think there's something to be said for a lazy dinner: They're smart, savvy, and low-maintenance. Those of us who are snooze-hitters are looking up 30-minute meals , while others tend to their massaged kale like a newborn child. We're living life, catching up on our favorite podcast while our beloved crockpots do all the handiwork for us.
From simple sheet pan dinners to 30-minute slow-cooker meals, these fuss-free, lazy dinner ideas will be ready faster than you can say "takeout."
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Chopped Salad
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Lazy dinner in less than 25 minutes? Yes, please. Make it even easier and use store-bought chopped veggies, cheese, and pre-cooked bacon. Plus, this recipe serves six and requires no heat cooking on the stove or in the oven.
Quick Tip
To make your night even easier, this salad can be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge. Just leave the dressing off (this can be made up to three days in advance) and pour on right before serving.
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Buttered Noodles
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Butter and noodles—it doesn't get better than that when you're hungry but lazing about. Dress em up with cheese, salt, and pepper if you like, or gobble them up as is.
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Funeral Sandwiches
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Funeral sandwiches only take a few minutes to assemble, and they require just a handful of ready-to-use store-bought ingredients like sweet rolls or buns, sliced cheese, and deli meat. Though the recipe calls for butter, that can be easily swapped for mayo if you're feeling too lazy to melt it.
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Honey-Garlic Chicken Nuggets
Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
You're never too old to have chicken nuggets for dinner! This is more of an adult take on them, but don't worry, they're still kid friendly. When you need a quick dinner that isn't fast food, this recipe is quick and uses frozen nuggets you probably already have in your freezer. Serve with rice, vegetables, or another family-favorite side to soak up all that sauce.
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Bourbon-Glazed Salmon
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It's hard to believe this bourbon-glazed salmon recipe is ready in about 20 minutes with minimal effort—it's the perfect weeknight indulgence and requires only a few simple steps.
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Shrimp And Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Shrimp are great for "lazy" cooks because you can buy them peeled and deveined, which leaves you more time to relax. Plus, they cook in minutes, so you have more time for other things on your to-do list.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Soup
Credit: Iain Bagwell
It's good when you're sick; it's good when the temperatures drop; it's good for the soul, we swear it. Place chicken, vegetables, and herbs in your slow cooker, walk away and come back in six hours. Throw in the noodles and dinner is served.
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Spaghetti Casserole
Credit: Jennifer Davick
This slow-cooker version of our classic spaghetti casserole makes the dish easier than ever before. With the addition of ground round, onion, and spices, you'll find the result more flavorful than just dumping in a jar of sauce. But we still keep this satisfying recipe simple with just eight ingredients.
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Chicken Cutlets With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Credit: Photographer: Alison Miksch / Food Stylist: Melissa Gray / Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
The year 1990 called...they want their sun-dried tomatoes back, but we hung up. Packed with umami, these crimson strips of flavor are a great pantry staple to keep on hand for punching up weeknight suppers. And this quick dish is on the table in 25 minutes.
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Classic Beef Chili
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Kat Steele; Prop Styist: Claire Spollen
Turn to this classic meaty chili to serve on busy weeknights or to impress at the potluck. Substitute the ground chuck with ground chicken or turkey if desired. A bottle of beer adds complex flavor, but broth or water can be swapped in.
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Sloppy Joe Casserole
Credit: Southern Living
We always love an old-school classic with a twist. This casserole has all of the sweet-savory blend and hearty ground beef of your childhood sloppy Joe, but in a slightly more refined presentation. After you boil the pasta, the dish takes about 10 minutes to prepare.
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Green Chile Mac And Cheese With Chicken
Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: LYDIA PURCELL; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN
Is it queso? Is it mac and cheese? Is it enchiladas? It's a little bit of all three! This creamy, spicy, and filling dish comes together on the stovetop in minutes and satisfies pretty much ALL of your cravings.
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Chicken Parmesan Pizza
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett
This meal is reminiscent of cheesy chicken Parmesan but in pizza form. Save time with a loaf of store-bought bread, chicken from the deli, and your favorite jar of marinara . Serve with a simple Caesar salad.
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Chicken Bog
Credit: Greg DuPree
This old-fashioned recipe has been filling up Southerners for a long time. Our version takes 30 minutes to prepare. Chicken and rice are equal power players in the dish, while vegetables and garlic add even more flavor.
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Sheet Pan Nachos
Credit: Greg DuPree
We used ground chuck and piled on the toppings to create a fast sheet pan supper that your family will be asking for time and again. Plus, this dish is completely customizable to your tastes—and to whatever you have in the fridge—because who has the time to run to the store?
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Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Stuffed cabbage rolls are one of the most comforting recipes, but again—all that rolling! This soup satisfies all your cravings for stuffed cabbage with none of the work.
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Quick And Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Credit: Greg DuPree
Fake a slow-simmering Bolognese by using store-bought tomato sauce, such as Barilla or Classico. You've still got the Italian sausage, peppers, sweet onions, and garlic that make this dish so satisfying. This recipe for Bolognese freezes beautifully, so think about making an extra batch for a last-minute dinner at a later date.
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Open-Faced Tomato Sandwiches With Creamy Cucumber Spread
Credit: Alison Miksch
If you're looking for a fast and fresh summer dinner recipe, you've found it. The creamy cucumber spread is a cool and creamy addition to these sandwiches.
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Chicken Stir-Fry
Credit: Greg Dupree
Using frozen peppers and rotisserie chicken, this Chicken Stir-Fry recipe comes together quicker than you can order takeout. The flavor is enhanced with soy sauce, ginger, and brown sugar, resulting in a tasty dish that you'll want to serve over and over—especially when you need dinner in 10 minutes.
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Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
This lazy and tasty meal will be your new go-to during the heat of summer. When you have a bounty of tomatoes , just slice them up and plate them with tangy mayonnaise dressing, and top with crushed garlic crackers. Easy!
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Chipotle Chicken Tacos
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
The secret to these flavorful tacos is using jarred salsa as the cooking liquid. Chipotle chiles add heat. Let the pressure cooker do the work, and enjoy Taco Tuesday with your favorite toppings.
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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Enchiladas are SO delicious, but all that dipping and rolling makes me tired. This skillet version skips all the tedious steps but still delivers all the big flavors you love. Rotisserie chicken and canned diced tomatoes bring it together in a flash.
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Easy Chicken And Dumplings
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Arguably the ultimate comfort food , this meal is a perennial cold-weather favorite. This easy recipe shaves off cooking time with cream of chicken soup and canned buttermilk biscuits. Grab a roasted chicken from the deli to save even more time.
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Easy Brunswick Stew
Credit: William Dickey
Okra, pork, lima beans, corn, and a bevy of other veggies make for a hearty stew that can be thrown in a slow cooker and left alone for hours. We recommend putting this together early in the day. Cooking on LOW heat for a long time makes the meat extremely tender.
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Honey-Soy-Glazed Salmon With Veggies And Oranges
Credit: Alison Miksch
A honey-soy sauce glaze makes salmon so incredibly delicious. Most of the work in this recipe involves assembling your ingredients on a sheet pan. After 10 minutes of broiling, you have a healthy and appetizing dinner.
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Chicken Caprese Pasta
Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Need a quick, easy, and light dinner? This pasta recipe is for you. Jarred pesto adds bright flavor so you won't miss a heavy sauce, and rotisserie chicken helps it come together quickly. Use fresh pasta for this simple dish, but dried will also work.
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Texas Straw Hats
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It's a walking taco on a plate! This recipe makes dinner too easy and makes six servings in 25 minutes. Adjust toppings and seasoning to your flavor preferences.
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Skillet Stuffed Peppers
Credit: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Turn to the pantry to make this one-dish dinner that uses jarred sauce and pre-cooked rice. Customize it with spicy sausage or chicken sausage. Add a simple green salad, and dinner is done.
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Ground Beef Vegetable Soup With Gnocchi
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
You'll be amazed that such a complex-looking dish is on the table in 30 minutes. We use ground beef and refrigerated gnocchi alongside fresh spinach and whole plum tomatoes for a meal that is both hearty and healthful. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
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Maple-Chipotle Air Fryer Pork Chops
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless
The air fryer is a magic little machine that cooks foods fast and gets dinner on the table lickety split. Sweet, smoky, and spicy, these pork chops are easy enough to fix on a Wednesday, but taste good enough for date night.
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Muffin Tin Meatloaf
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee
Looking for meatloaf on your plate in record time? Inspired by Julia Child's classic meatloaf recipe, this rendition includes all the makings of a winner, such as Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, thyme, allspice, and—of course—ketchup. After baking the loaves in your trusty muffin tin for 25 minutes, you'll have caramelized bites of meatloaf that can be served on their own with mashed potatoes and vegetables or in a meatball sub.
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Classic Fried Catfish
Credit: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Soak the catfish for eight hours to tenderize it and get rid of any fishy flavor. Cornmeal gives this dinner an extra crisp crust. Serve it up with your favorite fixins. We like baked beans, coleslaw, and hushpuppies, plus tartar sauce for dipping.
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Ham-And-Bean Soup
Credit: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Made with a ham bone, dried white beans, chopped vegetables, garlic, chicken stock, and fresh thyme, this ham soup recipe takes minutes to assemble in a slow cooker. Then it simmers all day, producing a rich and flavorful soup with hardly any effort.
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Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
Pick up a pork shoulder from the grocery store and you've got dinner made. The only chopping required is the sweet onions in this five-ingredient dish. After the meat is tender enough to shred, you'll have enough pulled pork to enjoy all week long.
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Tortellini Mac And Cheese
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Combine shell pasta with cheese-filled tortellini, mix in a creamy sauce, and the cheese lovers in your life will be happy. Make the ultra-rich sauce with a combination of Cheddar, fontina, and cream cheese.
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Greek Chicken Bowls
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Store-bought rotisserie chicken joins forces with these filling weeknight dinner bowls inspired by Greek gyros. It's hard to decide what's better—the creamy tahini dressing or the crunchy pita chips on top!
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Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs
Credit: Photographer: Will Dickey
This recipe has all the ease of a chicken cutlet with the flavor of a chicken thigh. We pound boneless chicken thighs to 1/4-inch thickness for quick baking. The thighs are dredged in a Panko breadcrumb mixture for a crackly and crisp coating.
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Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Loaded with cheese and covered with breadcrumbs, your kids just might confuse this Easy Cauliflower Casserole with their favorite baked macaroni and cheese recipe . Not only is this version loaded with veggies instead of pasta, it also makes the most of your pantry staples. Don't have a can of cream of chicken soup? Any "cream of" soup will do the trick.
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Busy Day Soup
Credit: Micah A. Leal
The most hands-on cooking you have to do for this recipe is browning the meat. Then dump in the remaining ingredients and let it boil for a few minutes. To speed up the process after a busy day , this recipe calls for a package of mixed frozen veggies and dry onion soup mix—no chopping or peeling required.
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Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin "Filets"
Credit: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
If "bacon-wrapped" didn't already win you over, the sweet and tangy sauce definitely will. Don't let this fancy-looking dish fool you. Once your pork is wrapped in bacon, all that's left between you and a delicious slice of meat is 20 minutes of cooking time.
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Mini Chicken Pot Pies
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
Who's got time to hassle with making their own pastry on a weeknight? Not this cook! Refrigerated crescent roll dough and rotisserie chicken make these miniature chicken pot pies as easy as they are cute.
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Easy Catfish Tacos With Slaw
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
These crispy tacos will be a new weeknight favorite. Make the slaw while they fry up in the oven. Use any firm white fish you can find, such as tilapia, cod, or grouper.
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Creamy Pesto-And-Shrimp Penne With Peas
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The hardest part of this one-pot meal is boiling the penne. Use pre-peeled shrimp, frozen peas, and store-bought pesto to whip up this quick and flavorful pasta. Instead of buying the jarred, shelf-stable version, choose a pesto found in the refrigerator case that will taste more like homemade.
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Easy Boarding House Meatloaf
Credit: Southern Living
Southern Living magazine originally published the Easy Boarding House Meatloaf recipe in 2006, and it has been a favorite ever since. Packed with bell peppers, onions, and lean ground beef, this dish is both fresh and filling. Make the meatloaf sauce while your loaf is baking—you'll spoon on the sauce toward the end.
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Poppy Seed Chicken
Credit: Southern Living
Poppy seed chicken casserole is a beloved Southern dish that comes together in the blink of an eye. Using pantry and refrigerator staples like cream of chicken soup , sour cream, crackers, and pre-cooked chicken, this recipe is an easy call for a weeknight dinner. Round out the meal with rice and a salad.
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Southwest Pork Stew
Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Make this stew with pulled or shredded pork from your favorite barbecue joint. With cans of fire-roasted tomatoes and black beans and a jar of salsa verde, you'll have a satisfyingly spicy dinner ready in 20 minutes. Herbs, sour cream, and avocado round out the flavor.
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Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Credit: Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living
If you're looking for big flavor with little effort, try this delicious green beans recipe. We cook them on a sheet pan so you only have to stir once. It's super easy to make for a quick weeknight side dish, but also special enough for a dinner or holiday party.
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Shrimp Cobb Salad With Bacon Dressing
Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX
This Cobb salad is a genius move for home cooks who want to take a break. If you want to make it really easy, pick up pre-cooked shrimp, store-bought hard-boiled eggs, and even pre-cooked bacon.
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Spiced-Up Shoestring Fries
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
A quick meal doesn't have to be without delicious sides, and this one dresses up a bag of frozen fries with little effort. Bonus, they're loaded with flavor. Don't skip the spicy chipotle-mayo dipping sauce.
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Instant Pot Grits
Credit: Will Dickey
Whip up this creamy Southern favorite in no time with the help of an Instant Pot. You'll have this comforting meal on the table fast with little hands-on time. Stir in half-and-half, butter, and Parmesan for creamy, nutty goodness.
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Homemade Baked Beans
Credit: Antonis Achilleos
We love a side that takes 10 minutes to throw together. Instead of soaking your beans the night before, follow our instructions for substituting canned navy beans. Sauté bacon and onion for maximum flavor, mix in a few ingredients, and bake until bubbly.
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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi With Peas
Credit: Victor Protasio
Toasting gnocchi in a pan with butter and oil gives them a crisp exterior that pairs well with almost any sauce. This recipe gives it a spring spin with peas, lemon, and fresh parsley.
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Creamy Kale And Pasta Bake
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
This speedy pasta bakes comes together on the stove, then finishes in the oven to get its golden-crispy topping. It's bound to convert the whole family into kale lovers. Serve it as a side or as a main dish.
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Sweet-And-Smoky Grilled Pork Tenderloins
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Thanks to a hands-free overnight seasoning, these pork tenderloins are packed with flavor and grill up in minutes. When it's time to eat, just heat up the grill, bring the pork to room temperature, and cook for 20 minutes.
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Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna
Credit: Van Chaplin
When you don't feel like cooking, this comforting meal is easy to pull together. Layer a jarred pesto sauce and spinach mixture, cheese-filled ravioli, and jarred Alfredo sauce for an easy lasagna bake that's quicker than takeout.
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Turkey, Apple, And Brie Sandwich
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Make a bistro-style turkey sandwich at home in minutes. Hot pepper jelly and Dijon mustard add a tangy-sweet flavor. Top a ciabatta roll with turkey, apple slices, Brie cheese, and arugula.
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Frito Pie
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This classic isn't a pie, but it provides the same satisfaction. Warm up store-bought or homemade chili and open a bag of corn chips , and dinner is about done. Sour cream, onion, cheese, and jalapenos make a pretty good combo of toppings.
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Baked Ziti With Meatballs
Credit: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
Pasta dishes are go-tos when you don't feel like cooking. That doesn't mean it has to be boring. Add in spinach, mushrooms, and a package of frozen meatballs to turn quick baked ziti into something extraordinary.
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Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck
Store-bought dinner rolls team up with a speedy skillet sloppy joe filling to yield a super-easy and delicious weeknight supper the whole family will love. Use sweet Hawaiian rolls, biscuits, or crescent rolls to change up the topper.
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Stovetop Macaroni And Cheese
Credit: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
Creamy, comforting, and cheesy, this stovetop mac and cheese is ready in 20 minutes or less.
Read the original article on Southern Living
