19 Shortcut Suppers I Make When Life’s Too Busy for Real Cooking
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Some nights, cooking a full meal from scratch just isn’t going to happen, and that’s exactly where shortcut suppers save the day. They’re fast, low-effort, and still taste like you put in way more work than you actually did, which means dinner hits the table without the stress. With these recipes, life stays busy, but mealtime stays easy and totally under control.
Easy Cheeseburger Pie
Cheeseburger pie is what I make when the clock says dinner is now, but I’m not in the mood for “real” cooking. It uses budget-friendly ingredients I usually already have and delivers all the savory, cheesy flavor of a burger in cozy pie form. Best of all, it’s simple, delicious, and on the table in under an hour.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheeseburger Pie
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Sheet pan chicken thighs are my lazy-night lifesaver when cooking feels impossible. Juicy, seasoned chicken roasts alongside caramelized broccoli for a complete meal that takes almost no effort to prep or clean up. It’s a shortcut supper that makes me wonder why I ever bother with complicated recipes.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
When life’s too hectic for real cooking, ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls save the day without sacrificing flavor. The soft, sweet rolls cradle layers of ham and gooey cheese, brushed with a buttery glaze and baked until golden on top. In about 30 minutes, I’ve got a warm, crowd-pleasing dinner that feels like comfort food magic with almost no effort.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls
Sheet Pan Chicken
A colorful sheet pan chicken dinner is the easiest way I know to get a homemade meal done on my busiest days. Tender roasted chicken pairs with vibrant vegetables, giving me a balanced, flavorful plate in just 30 minutes. Minimal prep, zero fuss, and one pan to wash, this shortcut keeps me sane and well-fed.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken
Garlic Butter Shrimp
When there’s barely time to think, garlic butter shrimp comes to the rescue in just 10 minutes. All it takes is tossing everything in a baking dish, letting the oven do the work, and serving up juicy, garlicky shrimp swimming in buttery goodness. It’s fast, flavorful, and the easiest way to feel like dinner’s a win.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Shrimp
Healthy Chicken Salad
Healthy chicken salad is my go-to when I want something fresh, filling, and fast without resorting to takeout. Swapping mayo for creamy yogurt and avocado keeps it light while still packing big flavor with tomatoes and lime. It’s protein-packed, ready in 15 minutes, and perfect for those no-time-to-cook days.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chicken Salad
Steak Bites
Steak bites are my secret weapon for a quick, fuss-free dinner that still feels indulgent. In just 5 minutes in the air fryer, the steak turns golden-crisp on the edges, stays tender inside, and gets finished with brown sugar caramelization and garlic butter. It’s fancy without the time or the mess of cooking a whole steak.
Get the Recipe: Steak Bites
Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Alice Springs chicken is my go-to when real cooking just isn’t happening, but I still want comfort food. Juicy chicken gets smothered in tangy mustard sauce, topped with mushrooms, crispy bacon, and plenty of melty cheese for a flavor-packed dinner. It’s ready fast, completely delicious, and feels like an Outback treat without the drive or the bill.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
An Italian beef and cauliflower rice skillet is my speedy answer to weeknight dinner chaos. In 30 minutes, ground beef simmers in a creamy tomato sauce, mixes with tender cauliflower rice, and gets topped with melty mozzarella. It’s hearty, flavorful, and all done in one pan, exactly what I want when life’s too busy for more.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Chopped Chicken Salad
Chopped chicken salad is my shortcut to a lunch or dinner that feels fresh but still fills me up. Bite-sized chicken, crunchy veggies, and bold flavors come together in minutes for a protein-packed, guilt-free meal. It’s simple to prep, easy to eat, and perfect for days too busy for “real” cooking.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Chicken Salad
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
I love making Ruth’s Chris stuffed chicken when I need a fast dinner that tastes like I fussed for hours. Chicken breasts are filled with cream cheese, cheddar, ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire, then baked until golden and juicy. It’s a shortcut supper that nails the restaurant vibe while keeping my weeknight completely stress-free.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Ground beef and cabbage stir fry is my 20-minute answer to the chaos of busy weeknights. Everything cooks in one skillet, blending savory beef with crisp-tender cabbage for a balanced, filling meal. It’s simple, speedy, and exactly the shortcut supper that saves my sanity.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry
Pork Chops and Applesauce
Pork chops and applesauce is my answer when I want something comforting but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The juicy, seasoned pork pairs perfectly with the sweet homemade applesauce for that classic sweet-and-savory balance. It’s simple enough for weeknights yet still special enough for company.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce
Chicken Cordon Bleu
On hectic nights when I don’t have time for complicated meals, chicken cordon bleu still makes me feel like I’ve served something special. Tender chicken is stuffed with smoky ham and Swiss cheese, then finished with an easy, creamy sauce that tastes restaurant-worthy. It’s the perfect shortcut supper to impress without spending all night in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu
Italian Chopped Salad
Italian chopped salad is a quick meal I make when I’m craving something crisp and colorful but need it on the table now. Every forkful is a mix of fresh veggies, hearty protein, and creamy homemade dressing for a light yet delicious dinner. It’s low effort, full of flavor, and ready in about 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Salsa chicken is my ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner when I can’t handle “real” cooking. Just chicken breasts and a jar of salsa go in the slow cooker, and hours later I’ve got tender, flavorful meat ready for tacos, salads, or rice bowls. It’s hands-off, versatile, and keeps me fed for days with almost no work at all.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
Ground Beef Stir Fry
Ground beef stir fry is a no-fuss dinner I can make with just a few ingredients and one pan. In less than 30 minutes, I’ve got a savory, veggie-packed dish that tastes like takeout but is way fresher and healthier. It’s a lifesaver for nights when I need fast food without actually ordering fast food.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry
Herb-Crusted Chicken
Herb-crusted chicken is my easy way to make a weeknight dinner feel like something from a steakhouse. Juicy chicken breasts get coated in dried herbs and black pepper, then cooked to perfection in no time. It’s flavorful, fast, and ideal for meal planning when life’s moving at full speed.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole
On the nights when real cooking is off the table, chicken broccoli alfredo casserole makes dinner happen without the stress. Tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, cheesy alfredo sauce all bake together into creamy comfort in just 30 minutes. It’s a one-dish wonder that’s hearty, wholesome, and ridiculously easy to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole
