27 Lazy Day Recipes That Turn Procrastination Into A Culinary Delight

Some days, the motivation to cook is at an all-time low, but hunger isn’t going anywhere. That’s where these lazy day recipes come in—minimal effort, maximum reward, and zero regrets. No complicated steps, no pile of dishes, just easy meals that get the job done without making you change out of pajamas. Perfect for when takeout feels like too much effort or you just want something good without the work. If today is one of those days, these lazy day recipes have you covered.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This Tuna Noodle Casserole is like a cozy hug in a baking dish. Creamy sauce, flaky tuna, and buttery cracker crumbs make it the ultimate lazy-day comfort food. Just toss everything together, bake, and boom—dinner’s done!
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables

This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables is the no-brainer dinner you need when effort is at an all-time low. Toss in the ingredients, press a button, and let the magic happen. You get a warm, hearty meal without lifting a finger (okay, maybe one).
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice with Vegetables

Easy Taco Casserole Recipe

This Easy Taco Casserole means you get all the fun of taco night without assembling a single shell. Layers of seasoned beef, melty cheese, and crispy toppings come together in one ridiculously easy dish. Lazy, but make it delicious!
Get the Recipe: Easy Taco Casserole Recipe

Sausage Kale Tortellini Soup

This Sausage Kale Tortellini Soup is what happens when comfort meets convenience. Savory sausage, cheesy tortellini, and a creamy broth make this a one-pot dream. Grab a spoon and let the cozy vibes roll.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Kale Tortellini Soup

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

This Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken brings crispy, saucy perfection straight to your kitchen—no takeout app needed. Sweet, tangy, and ridiculously easy, this is the lazy-day dinner that still feels like a win.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

Easy Pasta Carbonara

This Easy Pasta Carbonara is proof that a handful of ingredients can turn into something magical. Crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in minutes. No extra steps, just pure pasta greatness.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Carbonara

Penne Pasta With Sausage

This Penne Pasta with Sausage is the definition of low-effort, high-reward. Toss everything in a pan, let the flavors work their magic, and boom—dinner’s done. No fancy techniques, just pure comfort in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pasta With Sausage

Bubble Up Pizza Casserole

This Bubble Up Pizza Casserole is what happens when pizza and biscuits join forces for the easiest dinner ever. No rolling dough, no waiting around—just pop it in the oven and let the bubbly, cheesy goodness happen.
Get the Recipe: Bubble Up Pizza Casserole

Honey Butter Salmon Bowls

This Honey Butter Salmon Bowl is the sweet-and-savory meal you didn’t know you needed. Caramelized salmon chunks over warm rice make for a fancy-looking meal that’s secretly effortless.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Salmon Bowls

Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce

This Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce is what weeknight dreams are made of—smoky sausage, cheesy pasta, and a creamy sauce that comes together in record time. Comfort food without the hassle? Yes, please.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce

Creamy Almond Butter Noodles

These Creamy Almond Butter Noodles are fast, flavorful, and made for lazy days. A quick toss in a creamy, nutty sauce and dinner is served before you can even consider ordering takeout.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Almond Butter Noodles

Creamy Tahini Pasta

This Creamy Tahini Pasta is the low-maintenance meal your busy week needs. Whether it’s warm, cold, or somewhere in between, it just works. Bonus: It’s secretly kind of healthy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tahini Pasta

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies

This Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies proves that comfort food can also sneak in some greens. Creamy, cheesy, and ready in minutes—no stirring required.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe With Biscuits

This Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits is classic comfort food without the work. No rolling out crust, no fuss—just creamy, veggie-packed filling topped with golden, buttery biscuits.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe With Biscuits

One-Pot Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta

This One-Pot Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta makes leftovers feel brand new. Creamy, cheesy, and cooked in one pan, this is a zero-effort way to turn last night’s chicken into something delicious.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Leftover Roast Chicken Pasta

Easy Beef Tortellini Soup

This Easy Beef Tortellini Soup is warm, cozy, and ridiculously simple. It’s the perfect way to trick people into thinking you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually took 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Tortellini Soup

Tuna Pasta With Pesto

This Tuna Pasta with Pesto is proof that pantry staples can be fancy. A little pesto, a can of tuna, and some pasta are all you need for a dinner that’s light, fresh, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta With Pesto

Beef Carbonara

This Beef Carbonara ditches the pancetta for beef, but keeps all the creamy, cheesy goodness. Simple, quick, and impossible to mess up—aka the perfect lazy-day meal.
Get the Recipe: Beef Carbonara

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This Crockpot White Chicken Chili lets your slow cooker do all the work while you do literally anything else. Creamy, hearty, and full of flavor, this is the chili you’ll want on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Pollo al Limone (Italian Lemon Chicken)

This Pollo al Limone is the easiest way to make chicken feel fancy. A buttery lemon sauce and golden-brown cutlets come together in minutes—no effort, all flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pollo al Limone (Italian Lemon Chicken)

Cooked Salmon Poke Bowl With Easy Sauce

This Cooked Salmon Poke Bowl is the answer when you want poke but not raw fish. Glazed salmon, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of sauce make this a no-fuss dinner that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Cooked Salmon Poke Bowl With Easy Sauce

Spicy Thai Beef Noodle Soup

This Spicy Thai Beef Noodle Soup is bold, brothy, and completely stress-free. A little spice, a little heat, and a whole lot of flavor—all in one pot.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Thai Beef Noodle Soup

Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice

This Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice is proof that takeout-level meals can be homemade in under 30 minutes. Fluffy rice, crisp veggies, and fresh basil make this a ridiculously easy win.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Thai Basil Fried Rice

Vegetarian Fajita Pasta – Instant Pot & Stovetop

This Vegetarian Fajita Pasta packs all the bold flavors of fajitas into a one-pot pasta dish. Bell peppers, black beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes make this an easy, mess-free dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Fajita Pasta – Instant Pot & Stovetop

The Best 15 Minute Teriyaki Udon

This 15-Minute Teriyaki Udon is a chewy, saucy, umami-packed dream. Quick stir-fry, big flavor, and no patience required.
Get the Recipe: The Best 15 Minute Teriyaki Udon

Lemon Basil Chickpea Pasta Salad

This Lemon Basil Chickpea Pasta Salad is bright, fresh, and beyond easy. A handful of ingredients, one bowl, and you’re set. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a lazy snack.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Basil Chickpea Pasta Salad

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

This Instant Pot Chicken Curry takes all the rich, comforting flavors of curry and simplifies them into one foolproof recipe. Toss it all in, let the Instant Pot work its magic, and dinner’s ready.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Curry