5 Easy Dinner Recipes for When I Just Can’t

Even if you don’t have gas in the tank, you can whip these up.

By
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva
Micah Siva, RD
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe writer, and food photographer, specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. She runs Nosh with Micah, her personal blog.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published November 10, 2025
Micah Siva
A pan of a cooked dish garnished with lime wedges herbs and sauce

Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

I am the queen of over-extending myself. I’m a bonafide YES girl. Can you bring snacks for the daycare staff? You got it! Walk the dog, do the laundry, sign up for a marathon, volunteer, call my mom, be a mom, work 8 hours, and then make dinner? You got it!

But it leaves me tired and spending most of my evenings rotting on the couch, questioning my choices... before I go to sleep and do it all over again. With this in mind, I’m actively trying to learn how to say “no” and simplify my day-to-day routine. Maybe the laundry piles up a little. Maybe I bring store-bought treats, and make intentional choices when it comes to planning meals.

This week, I’m choosing quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipes that are made with a few shortcuts. From leftover rice to jarred tomato sauce, these meals that get the job done, even on the days when I feel like I just can’t.

Join MyRecipes to save, search and sort recipes all in one place! To start saving, click on a recipe below, then tap the heart 🩷 icon.

  • Sheet Pan Fried Rice

    A wooden spoon holding a portion of fried rice with broccoli carrots and tofu over a sheet pan of similar contents

    This past weekend we had takeout from a local Chinese food spot. I always have extra rice, which means there will surely be fried rice on the menu this week. I love the addition of savory kimchi and sweet and spicy gochujang in this recipe, as well as creamy, nutty tahini. It's not your average fried rice, and it feels like it might just go on our weekly rotation.

  • Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

    Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce
    Elise Bauer

    I always plan on one pasta meal a week. I want something as simple as possible this week, so I'm back to the classics that I grew up with, including this pasta with meat sauce. I like to make a larger batch and freeze it into two-serving containers for busy weeks. Instead of penne, I’ll use a cavatappi (my favorite shape), and serve it with a bag of Caesar salad and maybe some quick garlic bread.

  • Potato Leek Soup

    Leek and Potato Soup
    Elise Bauer

    I recently bought a way-too-large bag of Yukon Gold potatoes, and I’m on a mission to use them up in different ways before they start to turn green and sprout in my cupboard. My solution? Potato soup! The leeks make it feel a little fancy and add great flavor. I like to prep all my leeks in advance or, better yet, use frozen prepared leeks for a time-saving shortcut.

  • Sweet and Sour Melting Cabbage

    Cooked wedges of cabbage arranged in a skillet

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    Cabbage is one of the most underrated vegetables. It is inexpensive, easy to find, lasts a long time, and super versatile. I use it to make quick cabbage slaws, sauerkraut, and add it to soup and stews, but it also deserves a moment in the spotlight. This recipe is my favorite way to convince even cabbage haters to love the humble veg. With an unexpected combination of red wine vinegar, orange juice, and maple syrup, the sweetness of the cabbage shines. I’ll be serving it with mashed potatoes and herby roasted salmon for an easy mid-week meal.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • Southwest Creamed Corn and Chicken Skillet

    close-up, overhead view of Southwest Creamed Corn and Chicken Skillet, garnished with herbs, green onions, and lime slices

    Simply Recipes / Jessica Furniss

    Recipe developer Jessica Furniss says, "If you’re a fan of skillet meals with creamy, spicy Southwest flavors, then this is the dish for you. Chicken breasts are seared, then baked over a rich mixture of creamed corn, chicken broth, cream cheese, RO-TEL tomatoes, and taco seasoning for a one-pan meal you’ll make again and again." I'm serving with a package of microwaved brown rice tossed with lime juice and cilantro.

Explore More: