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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Fuss-Free Dinners for Your Laziest Nights

    Published: May 30, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 24 simple dinners are perfect for those busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss. With minimal effort and quick prep, you can enjoy a delicious meal that won't keep you tied to the stove.

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These pork chops are quick and easy to make, taking just 25 minutes. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, they are seared and simmered in red wine for a flavorful meal.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a perfect meal for those busy days when you don't want to spend much time in the kitchen. It's full of delicious flavors and has a nice crunch from the peanuts on top.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is easy to make, cheesy, and really filling, making it great for those busy days when you don't feel like spending much time in the kitchen. It's a comforting meal that hits the spot without requiring a lot of effort.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is super easy to make with just salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. It packs a lot of flavor without needing much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Wraps

    A halloumi wrap.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These halloumi wraps are an easy solution for those hectic days when cooking seems too much. Packed with halloumi cheese, red pesto, avocado, and walnuts, they're tasty and quick to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Tapenade Sandwich

    Sandwich topped with tapenade and Feta cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a simple sandwich made with tapenade, homemade or bought from the store. It's topped with Feta cheese and spicy jalapeños for an extra kick.

    Get the recipe

    Bone-In Pork Chops

    A pork chop on a small chopping board.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that's packed with flavor? Look no further than these juicy, tender Air Fryer Bone In Pork Chops! Best of all, this recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and is done in 25 minutes or less.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Dumplings

    A dumpling picked up with chop sticks.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Dumplings are a quick and easy option for a delicious meal or snack, ready in just 10 minutes. They come out crispy and are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce, whether you're using dumplings, pot stickers, or gyoza.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Shrimp

    Buffalo shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This buffalo shrimp dish comes together in less than 10 minutes, making it perfect for those busy nights. With just a few ingredients, it's a tasty option that you'll want to make again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Turkey Burgers

    An air fryer turkey burger on a blue plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Homemade Turkey Burgers are quick and easy to make, perfect for a simple dinner. They're packed with flavor from powdered seasonings and a splash of lemon juice to keep them juicy.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Shrimp

    A bowl of air fryer shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp makes dinner a breeze when you're short on time. In just 3-5 minutes, you can have shrimp seasoned with garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley, perfect for adding to salads or pairing with your favorite sauces.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A simple lemon butter caper sauce pairs wonderfully with fish and broccoli, making for a quick and easy meal. Everything is cooked in just one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick and easy skin-on salmon can be cooked in your air fryer in just 20 minutes. With some lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is full of flavor and sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a quick meal or appetizer. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley creates a wonderful smell that will make your kitchen feel inviting.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

    Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken is done in just 15 minutes, giving you crispy skin and juicy meat. A splash of lime juice in the marinade adds a nice kick and helps keep the chicken tender.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake takes less than 10 minutes to prep and is all done in under an hour. It's loaded with spicy buffalo sauce and hidden spinach, and so cheesy and delicious. An indulgent and easy meal, perfect for a weeknight!

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a quick and easy dinner that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With a zesty sauce and perfectly cooked salmon, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

    An air fryer baked potato.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer baked potatoes are a great option when you want something easy and delicious. They cook up quickly, giving you a soft inside and a crispy outside, and you can add any toppings you like for a simple meal.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick pasta dish features smoked salmon and a bright lemon flavor that makes it a great go-to meal. It's easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Coconut Lentil Soup

    A bowl of lentil soup topped with chili flakes and cilantro.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple soup is creamy, warming, and ready in under 30 minutes - whether made on the stove top or in your instant pot. Despite being so simple to make, it has amazing flavor from coconut milk, ginger and garlic, and is perfect for quick and cozy weeknight dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a quick and easy steak that you can cook in about 8-10 minutes. The marinade gives it great flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta is super simple to make. It's perfect for a quick dinner when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon is super simple to prepare and only needs three ingredients. It's a quick and hassle-free dinner.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This meal comes together quickly in just 12 minutes and only needs 5 ingredients. Plus, you'll only need one pot to make it, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A quick chicken stew can be made with rotisserie chicken, brightened up with lemon and rosemary. It's an easy meal that comes together in no time, perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a simple meal that comes together with just three ingredients. The combination of bright pesto sauce and Greek yogurt makes for a comforting dish that's great for busy days.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking Taco Casserole,.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    If you're looking for a quick and easy meal that's a real crowd-pleaser, this Walking Taco Casserole is the perfect choice. It's got all the cheesy flavor of a walking taco, but it's made in a cast iron skillet in just 30 minutes!

    Get the Recipe

    Mushroom Wild Rice Soup

    Mushroom wild rice soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegan soup is rich and comforting, and packed with classic flavors without any dairy. It's creamy and full of veggies, making it a wholesome meal that you can easily prepare in one pot in about an hour.

    Get the recipe

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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