31 Low-Effort Dinners for Every Night in January

Keep your new year's resolution of cooking more at home with this easy 31 day dinner plan.

By
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora Kaloudis
Theodora's passion for cooking began early on as a young girl, working in the kitchen at her father's Greek diner in Brooklyn, NY. Her recipes have appeared on Delish, Spruce Eats, Today.com, Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon, Dinnerly, Simply Recipes, and in various cookbooks.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 01, 2026
Theodora Kaloudis
A skillet containing a dish with chunks of chicken pineapple and bell peppers in a sauce

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

New year’s resolutions can be finicky, but choosing a goal that’s easy (and ideally enjoyable!) can make all the difference. If cooking and eating more at home is on your list this year, we’re here to help with this 31 day dinner plan. Whether you choose to make just a few recipes, or follow for the full 31 days, you're in for a treat with delicious, low-effort recipes like Shortcut Sunday Sauce, Upside-Down Chili Pie, and Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Getting a home cooked meal on the table will be a cinch!

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  • Mushroom Stroganoff (25 Minutes)

    A plate of mushroom stroganoff served over egg noodles garnished with parsley with a fork on the side

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "It’s important to develop color on the mushrooms before deglazing the pan. This is what gives the recipe a deep, savory flavor, so don’t skimp on this step." —Stephanie A Ganz

  • Easy Lasagna Soup (5 Ingredients, 35 Minutes)

    A bowl of lasagna soup topped with ricotta cheese and basil

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors-Hall / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong

    “This shortcut lasagna soup makes attaining all the flavors of a good lasagna even easier. Thanks to its already-robust flavor, using Italian sausage instead of ground beef cuts down on the number of ingredients you’ll need to buy and prep. Store-bought pasta sauce adds even more flavor.” —Megan Scott, former Senior Editor

  • Beef and Tomato Soup (Make Ahead and Meal Prep Friendly)

    overhead view of a bowl of Grandma Helen’s Beefy Tomato Soup with a side of bread

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "My favorite way to enjoy this soup is with a handful of cooked elbow macaroni tossed in the bowl, just as I did as a kid. It’s also a great accompaniment to a classic grilled cheese sandwich (or go for both, if you love a double-carb like I do)." —Jamie Anulewicz, Recipe Developer

  • Pineapple Chicken (25 Minutes)

    A skillet containing a dish with chunks of chicken pineapple and bell peppers in a sauce

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

    “Delectable sweet-and-sour sauces demand that every drop be savored, and no starch fits the bill better than white rice, which traps the precious sauce between its matrix of grains. Any time I plan to serve white rice with a recipe, I get the rice going on the stove before I prep anything else.” —Sara Bir, former Senior Editor

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  • Chicken and Corn Casserole

    Chicken, Corn, and Tangy Cabbage Casserole in a baking dish with a serving spoon

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer 

    This chicken casserole has a tangy, secret ingredient—kimchi! Or sauerkraut, depending on your preference. “If you’re opting for kimchi, save yourself some prep and buy Mak or “table-cut” kimchi; it's pre-cut into perfect bite-sized pieces. If yours comes in larger chunks, a quick rough chop is all it takes. My personal favorite at the store is Chi Napa Kimchi, but you can use any brand you like.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer

  • Cilantro-Lime Chicken (2 Ingredients)

    overhead view of baking dish of Cilantro-Lime Chicken

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    “My absolute favorite way to eat this chicken is in a taco bowl. I love to pile rice (try some coconut lime rice to double down on the cilantro-lime flavors!), lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, salsa, and jalapeños into a bowl and top it with the cilantro-lime chicken. It also works great in tacos or as a main course with Spanish rice and a side salad.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

  • Creamy Chili Crisp Pasta (4 Ingredients, 15 Minutes)

    A plate of farfalle pasta with chili crisp seasoning and a creamy sauce

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “It’s a true comfort on nights when I don’t even want to dirty a cutting board, because it requires no chopping. The whole thing comes together while the pasta boils. All that’s left to do is serve up the steaming noodles with some extra spice or eat straight from the pan (which, let’s be honest, always tastes better).” —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers

  • Unstuffed Peppers (30 Minutes)

    unstuffed peppers in a skillet at a table setting with glasses of water, paper towels, and a small bowl of minced herbs

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    “This was so good! It was easy to make, too. It will be a regular meal for us. I used Minute Rice, so I added a bit more water than the recipe called for, and I simmered an additional five minutes to cook the rice through.” —Kirk, Reader

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  • Shrimp Pesto Pasta (4 Ingredients, 20 Minutes)

    Shrimp pasta with pesto and a fork in a bowl

    Simply Recipes / Danielle Campbell

    “The shrimp can be switched out for chicken or salmon. Both go well with pesto and bacon. Just make sure to cook them through fully before adding them to the pasta.” —Danielle Campbell, Recipe Developer

  • Copycat IKEA Swedish Meatballs

    Bowl of copycat Ikea Swedish meatballs served over mashed potatoes, and in the surroundings, a table setting with a stack of plates and a sage table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

    “This is a wonderful recipe for meal prep. You can form these meatballs a day or two in advance, then place them in an airtight container in the fridge until you're ready to cook. For longer term storage, you can also flash freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking tray, then transfer them to an airtight container for up to three months in the freezer.” —from the Editors of Simply Recipes

  • Dill Pickle Chicken and Rice Skillet (One Pan)

    Cooked chicken thighs on a bed of rice with chopped pickles and herbs in a skillet

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "No fresh dill? No sweat. If you don’t have fresh dill, use frozen dill or substitute one teaspoon dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • Slow Cooker Sausage, Kale, and Potato Soup (5 Ingredients)

    A bowl of sausage kale and potato soup served with bread and grated cheese

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    "If you want to make this recipe with zero chopping, you can grab a bag of pre-chopped kale at the store. The bagged stuff often includes pieces of stems, but they’ll become tender in the slow cooker as the soup simmers away.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

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  • Easy Dumplings with Peanut-Chile Sauce (15 Minutes, 5 Ingredients)

    Dumplings on a plate topped with peanutchili sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and herbs with a hand pouring chili oil from a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    “I like using smooth, creamy peanut butter for its rich texture that drizzles beautifully. That said, chunky peanut butter works just as well if you like extra texture. For those with peanut allergies, a one-to-one swap with tahini works perfectly. It has a similar nutty flavor and creamy consistency.” —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

  • Upside-Down Chili Pie (4 Ingredients)

    upside down chili pie

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    “The most suitable chili for this recipe is one that has a variety of ingredients. For me means meat, beans, and veggies like corn. My favorite brands for this recipe are Stagg and Hormel. They’ve got a range of different styles of chili to choose from and can be found at most grocery stores.” —Malina Syvoravong, Recipe Developer

  • Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake (4 Ingredients)

    Chicken Alfredo pasta bake with broccoli in a casserole dish

    Mark Beahm / Simply Recipes

    “The big flavor bomb for this dish comes from jarred Alfredo sauce, so go with a trusted brand. I prefer Rao’s Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce to amp up the cheesy profile without having to add another ingredient to my shopping list.” —Joey Firoben, Recipe Developer

  • Italian Sausage and Rice Bake (5 Ingredients, One-Pan)

    A skillet containing a sausage and rice bake with onions and fresh herbs a serving spoon resting inside

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    “I like to add whole spices like coriander seed and fennel seed, chili flakes for heat, or a stick of cinnamon or whole star anise for warmth and depth. A sprig of a woody-stemmed herb like rosemary, thyme, or oregano would also be great.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

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  • BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos (One Pan, 20 Minutes)

    overhead close-up view of BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    “Fresh pineapple is our top choice (snag a container of pre-prepped in the produce section for ease!), but I also use canned pineapple chunks when I’m short on time. Just make sure to drain them really well and lightly pat them dry with a towel before topping.” —Claudia Cash, Recipe Developer

  • Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry (30 Minutes)

    Ground beef and broccoli stir fry over rice in a bowl at a table setting with a glass of water, a bowl of sliced scallions, and a bowl of sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    “OMG this is DELICIOUS !!!! As a lover of beef and broccoli, this recipe is SO easy to prepare. I did, as others suggested, make extra sauce and was glad I did. Just yummy over the Jasmine rice. The green onions and toasted toasted sesame seeds topped it off perfectly!!! Will absolutely be making this again and again!!!” —WS, Reader

  • Baked Ground Beef Tacos

    Baked tacos on a platte surrounded by bowls of toppings (bowl of shredded iceberg lettuce, bowl of diced onions, bowl of tomatoes, bowl of salsa, and a bowl of sour cream)

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas, RD

    “Oven temperatures vary and so do our opinions of finalized dishes. My oven runs hot, so I tend to check things earlier than suggested cooking times. I like my tacos crispy, so I often let them go about 8 minutes per side, but if you prefer something softer, stick with the recipe as written.” —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • Shortcut Sunday Sauce (2 Ingredients)

    Plates of spaghetti with a tomatobased meat sauce presented for a meal

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    “My favorite way to enjoy this two-ingredient sauce is over spaghetti. Other pastas work great too, like penne or even fettuccini. Another less traditional way we often enjoy it is with a can of cannellini beans stirred in and a large loaf of crusty no-knead bread on the side for dipping.” —Jessica Furniss, Recipe Developer

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  • One-Pot Spiced Lentils (4 Ingredients)

    A pot of spiced lentils with carrots garnished with greens and a serving spoon inside

    Simply Recipes / Jazzmin Kaita

    “I serve it as-is, without any side dishes or accompaniments. Think of it like a thick spiced lentil soup. There’s almost no prep and very few ingredients, and once it’s on the stove, it requires almost no hand-holding.” —Amanda Blum, Recipe Developer

  • Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

    Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches on a Cutting Board with a Knife

    Simply Recipes / Ross Yoder

    “The assembled sliders—through step four—will keep in the fridge, covered, for 24 hours before they’ll start to get soggy. All you have to do is pop the sliders into the oven and bake them until they’re hot. Bake the sliders for 3 to 4 additional minutes covered in foil when they’re cooked cold from the fridge.” —Ross Yoder, Recipe Developer

  • Sheet Pan Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

    Overhead view of a sheet pan sausage dinner.

    “There are near endless options to enjoy this recipe. On multiple occasions, I’ve simply carried the sheet pan to the dinner table, along with crusty Italian bread or pillowy focaccia and a simple green salad. We each scooped up what we liked and swiped the pan juices with the bread.” —Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

  • Easy Porcupine Meatballs

    Overhead view of a cast iron skillet of meatballs with expanded rice on the surface and sauce on a wooden cutting board next to a checkered blue and white towel and wooden spoon

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    “You can certainly use a jar of marinara in place of the sauce mixture—just be sure to stir in the 1¼ cups of water so that the rice has enough liquid to absorb and cook through.” —Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

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  • Paccheri with Quick Sausage Ragu

    Pot of Paccheri With Quick Sausage Ragu With a Spoon, and in the Surroundings, a Glass, a Block of Parmesan, a Stack of Plates, and Basil Leaves

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    “While the pot of water comes up to a boil, prep your ingredients and get your sausage ragu going. You should have plenty of time to focus on your ragu and bring that together, but keep your eye on the pasta water and, once it’s boiling, add the salt and the paccheri.” —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • Beef and Broccoli Noodles (30-Minutes)

    Overhead view of a brown rustic style bowl of ground beef, broccoli, noodles and a fork next to a small bowl of chopped green onions on a light blue background

    Simply Recipes / Meghan Splawn

    “I often keep frozen broccoli on hand for this dish specifically, but pre-chopped florets from the produce section at the grocery store are also great and cut down on prep time. Frozen garlic and ginger cubes like Dorot are my favorite, but garlic and ginger paste also make this dish easier and keep well in the fridge for a while.” —Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

  • Shipwreck Casserole

    shipwreck casserole in a casserole dish at a table setting with a bowl of scallions, plate, and glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    “Almost every version of shipwreck casserole I’ve seen includes some sort of potato, most often lots of raw potatoes that are peeled and sliced very thinly. In my recipe, frozen hash browns make it quicker and easier. Plus, the hash browns get incredibly crispy on the bottom and top of the casserole.” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Blackened Shrimp Tacos

    Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate Surrounded a Bowl of Rice and a Bowl of Queso Fresco

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

    “My friends, we are all about less stress and more joy here, so we are using frozen shrimp—I think shopping for ingredients you can find at any grocery store makes dinner a breeze. The best thing about buying frozen shrimp? You can choose ones that come deveined, cleaned, and peeled, which saves so much time.” —Sharee Hill, Recipe Developer

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  • Pizza Lasagna

    Spatula Slightly Lifting a Slice of Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna From a Casserole Dish With the Rest of the Lasagna

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    “The small pepperoni slices make the lasagna easier to cut and serve. I used Hormel Minis. If you can only find large slices, you can cut them in half or quarter them before assembling the lasagna.” —Frank Tiu, Recipe Developer

  • Taco Salad

    A bowl of taco salad garnished with sliced black olives and sour cream

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    “There are as many variations of this salad as there are families who enjoy them, so feel free to experiment! Add a can of drained black beans, garnish with fresh or pickled jalapeños, or crumble your favorite corn tortilla chips instead of the tostadas. For a fun layer of freshness, divide a peeled and finely diced cucumber atop the tomato layers—the cool crunch will add a fresh counterpoint to the seasoned beef” —Stephanie Burt, Recipe Developer

  • Greek Chicken Souvlaki

    Greek Chicken Skewers with Flatbread and Yogurt Sauce (Chicken Souvlaki)
    Sally Vargas

    “This recipe was excellent! I didn't change anything. I appreciated the very easy instructions. I highly recommend that if you make this, double it!” —Linda, Reader

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