21 Easy Recipes That Take the Stress Out of Figuring Out What to Cook

21 Easy Recipes That Take the Stress Out of Figuring Out What to Cook

Figuring out what to cook can feel harder than cooking itself. When decision fatigue sets in, even simple meals start to feel like work. These 21 easy recipes are designed to remove that pressure, offering clear, reliable options that don’t require overthinking. They give you a way forward on nights when having an answer matters more than having a spark.

21 Easy Recipes That Take the Stress Out of Figuring Out What to Cook
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Close-up of a plate of seasoned and grilled chicken wings garnished with herbs. Lemon wedges are visible in the background, adding a hint of color. The wings appear crispy and well-cooked, resting on a dark plate.
Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning take about 35 minutes using chicken wings, olive oil, garlic powder, and dried herbs. The air fryer crisps the skin while the meat stays juicy. They taste savory with light herb notes. These wings handle dinner without slowing things down.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Easy Air Fryer Chicken Wings With Italian Seasoning

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Shredded pork with cranberry sauce served over mashed potatoes, garnished with rosemary on a white plate.
Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin cooks in about 6 hours using pork loin, cranberry sauce, onion, and broth. The slow cooker softens the meat gradually. It tastes sweet with light tang. This is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Cast Iron Chicken with Cherry Sauce

Skillet with roasted chicken breasts, lemon slices, grapes, herbs, and garlic cloves.
Cast Iron Chicken with Cherry Sauce. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cast Iron Chicken with Cherry Sauce is ready in about 45 minutes with chicken thighs, cherries, garlic, and vinegar. The skillet thickens the sauce quickly. It tastes savory with mild sweetness. This dinner keeps the night on schedule.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken with Cherry Sauce

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

A spoonful of creamy chicken and stuffing casserole garnished with herbs.
Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie takes about 5 hours using turkey, mixed vegetables, broth, and biscuit dough. The filling thickens slowly in the cooker. It tastes hearty and familiar. This meal solves itself while the day moves on.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

A bowl of cheesy soup with ground meat, potatoes, and vegetables, served with a pretzel bun.
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup finishes in about 35 minutes with ground beef, potatoes, cheddar, and broth. The pressure cooker builds flavor fast. It tastes savory with creamy finish. This soup gets dinner done early.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Plate of creamy chicken casserole topped with sliced almonds and green onions, served with crackers.
Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken cooks in about 4 hours using chicken breasts, cream cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning. The meat softens into a rich sauce. It tastes creamy and salty. This is a no-effort way to feed everyone.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Stack of chicken quesadilla wedges with cilantro garnish.
Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas take about 30 minutes using shredded chicken, tortillas, cheese, and peppers. Everything bakes in one pan. They taste melty with mild spice. These make weeknights feel easier.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Vegetarian Biryani Rice

A close-up of a bowl filled with white rice, topped with caramelized onions, fried potato slices, toasted cashews, mushrooms, and fresh cilantro leaves.
Vegetarian Biryani Rice. Photo credit: At The Immigrants Table.

Vegetarian Biryani Rice is ready in about 60 minutes with basmati rice, potatoes, peas, onions, and spices. The grains cook into layered flavor. It tastes fragrant without heaviness. This meal carries itself.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Biryani Rice

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

A bowl of penne pasta topped with shredded meat and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A fork is placed in the bowl. Red tomatoes and additional fresh basil leaves are on the marble surface nearby.
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara takes about 4 hours using chicken breasts, marinara sauce, garlic, and herbs. The chicken breaks apart easily after cooking. It tastes savory with tomato richness. Dinner waits for you with this one.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Fried Marinated Tofu

A bowl of soup with a spoon in it.
Fried Marinated Tofu. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Fried Marinated Tofu finishes in about 35 minutes with tofu, soy sauce, garlic, and oil. The pieces crisp lightly in the pan or air fryer. They taste savory with mild sweetness. This is a quick way to serve something different.
Get the Recipe: Fried Marinated Tofu

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

A plate of glazed barbecue chicken drumsticks garnished with small parsley leaves. The chicken is coated in a shiny, dark sauce, suggesting a rich, flavorful marinade. The dish is arranged to highlight the crispy, caramelized skin.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are ready in about 30 minutes using drumsticks, barbecue sauce, and paprika. The air fryer crisps the skin. They taste smoky with gentle sweetness. These work well on rushed nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Baked Creamy Salmon

Grilled salmon and potatoes on a baking sheet.
Baked Creamy Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Creamy Salmon takes about 40 minutes with salmon fillets, cream, garlic, and lemon. The sauce thickens in the oven. It tastes smooth with light citrus. This dish keeps dinner simple.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

A baked dish with a large serving of cheesy cauliflower in a glass baking dish is next to a white plate holding a portion of the same dish. The background is a light wooden surface. A fork is visible beside the plate.
Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole finishes in about 55 minutes using cauliflower, cheese, milk, and eggs. The casserole bakes into a soft scoopable side. It tastes rich without effort. This one keeps things moving.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Air Fryer Eggplant

Sliced roasted eggplant garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate.
Air Fryer Eggplant. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Air Fryer Eggplant takes about 25 minutes using sliced eggplant, olive oil, and seasoning. The slices brown lightly. They taste savory with soft centers. This is a quick plate that works anytime.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe

Close-up of roasted meatballs with a mix of colorful, chopped bell peppers and zucchini slices.
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe is ready in about 40 minutes using chicken sausage, peppers, onions, and potatoes. Everything roasts together. It tastes hearty with mild spice. Cleanup stays easy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe

Easy Gluten-Free Samosas

Gluten free samosas on white background.
Easy Gluten-Free Samosas. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Easy Gluten-Free Samosas take about 50 minutes with gluten free wrappers, potatoes, peas, and spices. The filling cooks into soft pockets. They taste warm and savory. These snacks keep things flowing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten-Free Samosas

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shredded chicken, topped with chopped parsley and black pepper.
Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti cooks in about 4 hours using chicken breasts, pasta, tomatoes, and cream cheese. The sauce thickens in the pot. It tastes mild and creamy. This dinner waits for you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

A spoon lifts a baked meatball from a dish filled with several meatballs in a golden, oily sauce.
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta finish in about 45 minutes with ground turkey, feta, herbs, and breadcrumbs. The meatballs stay juicy. They taste savory with salty bites. These make evenings easier.
Get the Recipe: Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta

Baked Harissa Salmon

Baked salmon fillets topped with lemon slices and fresh herbs on a sheet of parchment paper.
Baked Harissa Salmon. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

Baked Harissa Salmon is ready in about 35 minutes with salmon, harissa paste, olive oil, and lemon. The spice warms without overpowering. It tastes bold but balanced. This is fast seafood done right.
Get the Recipe: Baked Harissa Salmon

Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Baked four-cheese macaroni in a rectangular white casserole dish.
Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese takes about 40 minutes using macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, cream, and butter. The sauce melts smoothly. It tastes rich and familiar. This dinner keeps everyone moving.
Get the Recipe: Easy Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet

21 Easy Recipes That Take the Stress Out of Figuring Out What to Cook
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet finishes in about 45 minutes using chicken, biscuit dough, carrots, and broth. The dumplings puff in the skillet. It tastes comforting with little effort. This meal carries the day forward.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings Skillet

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