Looking for dinner ideas that are a breeze to make and even easier to clean up? You’ve landed in the right spot. We’ve all had those days when the thought of scrubbing pots and pans makes us want to order takeout instead. But what if you could whip up a delicious meal without facing a mountain of dishes afterward?
This article is about making your evening routine smoother with meals that don’t ask much from you regarding cleanup. We’ve picked out 17 dinner options that promise to keep things simple in the kitchen. From one-pan wonders to meals that practically make themselves, you’ll find something that fits your schedule and your taste preferences without the hassle of a big clean-up.
Let’s make dinner a stress-free zone, where you can enjoy cooking without worrying about the aftermath. These recipes are perfect for those nights when you want to keep things low-key but still have a nice meal at home. It’s all about getting in, out and fed with the least fuss possible. Ready to make your evenings a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable? Let’s get started.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Crispy on the outside, with a juicy and cheesy center, it’s a modern twist on a classic without the usual hassle. Everyone can enjoy a fancy dinner at home, and the best part is cleaning up is a breeze when the air fryer does most of the work. After the meal, you’ll find yourself with barely any mess to deal with, letting you relax for the rest of the evening.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Imagine a light yet filling meal, perfect for those warm evenings when heavy food won’t do. It effortlessly brings together the sea’s bounty and the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean. For large gatherings or a quick family dinner, this dish pleases all, and the single-pot preparation means tidying up is easy too.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Chicken Piccata
Has the idea of creating a restaurant-worthy dish in your own kitchen ever been more achievable? This lemony, caper-laden treat is just what you need for a midweek pick-me-up, with none of the post-dinner cleanup dread. Serve it up, win compliments, and still have time to unwind with your favorite show afterward.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata
Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
Full of flavor and quick to make, it’s like bringing a New York deli into your home without needing a complex setup. It’s a straightforward meal with layers of taste that even the most inexperienced cook can master. After enjoying this, you’ll have just a cutting board and skillet to rinse off, leaving more time for whatever else you’d like to do.
Get the Recipe: Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
Breakfast for dinner never seemed so appropriate with this protein-packed, comforting plate. It’s uncomplicated to whip up, and each bite offers a different texture. Plus, you’ll have just a few dishes to wash, making your evening routine much smoother.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Bacon & Poached Egg
Cream of Buter Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
This velvety soup is a hug in a bowl and is surprisingly simple. It’s full of warmth and comfort for those chillier evenings when you need a bit of cheering up. And when you’re done savoring every spoonful, cleaning up is just as comforting – minimal effort required.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Buter Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
Beefy John Wayne Casserole
It’s a hearty meal that’s bound to become a favorite, especially when the aftermath won’t involve a sink full of pots and pans. Enjoy the robust layers and then take it easy knowing there’s just one dish to clean. It’s cowboy cuisine made contemporary and convenient.
Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole
Turkey à la King
This dish turns leftover turkey into something special, giving yesterday’s meal a new lease on life. It’s a creamy, comforting classic that’ll smooth your evening routine with its easy teardown. The simplicity of prep and cleanup means more time savoring and less scrubbing.
Get the Recipe: Turkey à la King
Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Combining lovely, twirling pasta with hearty greens and protein makes for a fulfilling dinner that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. A one-pot wonder, it’s a go-to for busy weeknights, and there’s hardly any cleanup involved. It’s warm in a bowl, with a side of easy maintenance.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Soup with Kale & Chicken
Dutch Oven Carnitas
Nothing says “fiesta” like fork-tender meat that practically cooked itself while you were busy with other things. When you pull this dish out of the oven, you’ll be greeted with soft, flavorful, crowd-pleaser bits. And when the party’s over, you’ve got just one pot to wash, giving you more time to bask in the success of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Carnitas
Cream of Onion Soup
Smooth, rich, and deeply flavorful, this soup might be the easiest route to feeling gourmet on a weekday night. It’s all about the comfort with none of the complications—both in making and cleaning up. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your evening with minimal kitchen duty.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup
Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Get ready to indulge in a warm bowl of chili that echoes your favorite steakhouse flavors. It’s perfect for dinner and even better for leftovers, simplifying your meal planning. You’ll appreciate the one-pot cleanup that makes this comforting bowl an easy choice any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Cuban Sandwich Casserole
You can bring the vibrant streets of Havana to your dinner table with this layered, cheesy creation. It’s all the flavor of a traditional Cuban sandwich in a fuss-free casserole form. Expect a full belly and a light dishwashing load, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole
Al Pastor Carnitas
This dish brings street food right to your kitchen table with its vivid flavors and tender meat. Serve these carnitas up and prepare to be whisked away to the vibrant taco stands of Mexico, all while knowing that a single dish is all you’ll need to wash up afterward. It’s a mini-vacation with the simplest of souvenirs to clean.
Get the Recipe: Al Pastor Carnitas
Mexican Street Corn Soup
Here’s a bright and festive soup that packs the punchy flavors of elote into a creamy, dreamy spoonful. It’s the perfect way to shake up your dinner routine while still keeping the cleanup to a minimum. Just a pot and your bowls, and you’re done. Easy as that.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Here’s a skillet that brings hearty sausage and pillowy gnocchi together with the bitter twist of broccoli rabe, striking the perfect balance. It’s so quick to make, giving you that much more time to enjoy your evening. When it comes time to clean up, only the skillet needs a quick scrub.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas
These quesadillas are a quick, flavorful fix to end a long day, filled with the vibrant taste of traditional Al Pastor. Enjoy the melding of flavors with the ease of a stress-free, tidy kitchen afterward. Cleaning up is as streamlined as cooking, leaving you with less to do before you kick back and relax.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas