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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Dinner in a Pinch: 21 Easy Meals That Save the Day

    Published: Mar 31, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    We’ve all had those nights where dinner sneaks up on you, and the thought of cooking feels like a chore. But instead of reaching for takeout (again), wouldn’t it be nice to have a few easy, no-stress recipes up your sleeve? These lifesavers come together fast and still taste like you actually had a plan. Let’s check them out—you’ll thank yourself later!

    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    A close-up image of a skillet filled with creamy cheeseburger macaroni mixed with ground beef and topped with chopped onions. A serving spoon is lifting a portion of the cheesy dish, showcasing the melted cheese and rich texture.
    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni combines the best of both worlds – cheeseburgers and pasta. It’s a comforting dish for busy weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    Creamy Au Poivre Sauce With Peppercorns

    Steak au Poivre on a black platter with a bottle of Cognac.
    Creamy Au Poivre Sauce With Peppercorns. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Steak au Poivre recipes starts with peppercorns crusted steaks that are covered in a rich cognac and cream sauce. It comes together in 15 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Au Poivre Sauce With Peppercorns

    Skillet Dinner With Chicken Broccoli And Rice

    A skillet of chicken rice and broccoli casserole.
    Skillet Dinner With Chicken Broccoli And Rice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli has tender chicken, a homemade sauce and a crispy Ritz topping for a one-pan, easy to make skillet dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Dinner With Chicken Broccoli And Rice

    Chicken In Puff Pastry With Mustard Cream Sauce

    A golden-brown pastry square topped with creamy white sauce and cracked black pepper, served on a dark plate—perfect for easy meals.
    Chicken In Puff Pastry With Mustard Cream Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Impress your family and friends with this elegant chicken in puff pastry, drizzled with a creamy mustard sauce that adds rich flavor to this easy-to-make dish.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken In Puff Pastry With Mustard Cream Sauce

    Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

    A plate of chicken fried steak topped with creamy white gravy, served beside mashed potatoes, garnished with cracked black pepper and chopped herbs—a classic from southern recipes. A fork and knife rest on the plate.
    Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crunchy, crispy Chicken Fried Chicken with a double-dipped coating and rich gravy is a Southern comfort food classic you’ll love!
    Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

    Bone-In Chicken With Dried Apricots

    Chicken breasts in a skillet with apricot sauce.
    Bone-In Chicken With Dried Apricots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tender chicken with a sweet apricot sauce made from dried apricots, apricot jam, and white wine. A delicious twist on classic chicken!
    Get the Recipe: Bone-In Chicken With Dried Apricots

    A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

    A close-up of a plate with slices of meatloaf, topped with a tomato-based sauce. The meatloaf is garnished with visible onion bits and is served with a fork and knife placed beside it. The plate is set on a textured surface and is part of a rustic table setting.
    A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This juicy Meatloaf is made with oatmeal for a heartier texture and flavor and paired with an elevated take on the classic ketchup glaze.
    Get the Recipe: A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

    Smothered Pork Chops With Boursin Gravy

    A spoon pouring gravy over pork chops.
    Smothered Pork Chops With Boursin Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Seared until golden brown and served with a rich sauce, these Smothered Pork Chops with Boursin Gravy are the perfect comfort food.
    Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops With Boursin Gravy

    Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

    A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce.
    Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours over a hot grill!
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

    Sheet Pan Chicken And Potatoes With Carrots

    Ranch chicken on a sheet pan with carrots and potaotes.
    Sheet Pan Chicken And Potatoes With Carrots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Chicken Ranch Recipe with Carrots and Potatoes is an easy, healthy weeknight sheet pan dinner you can prepare in 10 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken And Potatoes With Carrots

    Boursin Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

    Sliced chicken breasts on a bed of spinach on a plate.
    Boursin Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These Stuffed Chicken Breasts are filled with Boursin cheese and topped with fresh basil and crispy prosciutto for a deliciously easy dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Boursin Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast

    Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

    Pork removed from a skewer on a platter.
    Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

    Cozy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes

    A casserole dish with chicken casserole and a wooden spoon.
    Cozy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Creamy, loaded with cheese, and chunks of tender chicken, this Chicken Hashbrown Casserole is topped with crispy cornflakes.
    Get the Recipe: Cozy Chicken Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This fall apart, melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker pot roast recipe is complete with veggies and gravy. Classic recipe for weeknights or Sunday supper.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

    A skillet of baked chicken and wild rice casserole.
    Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Ultra creamy, this chicken and wild rice casserole is always a favorite. Chicken, rice, & cheese topped with almonds and no canned soup.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

    Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon

    A fork full of homemade hamburger helper.
    Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    My version of homemade hamburger helper is dressed-up with bacon, garlic and onion, white wine, heavy cream and two types of cheese. Recipe serves 8.
    Get the Recipe: Diy Cheesy Hamburger Helper With Beef & Bacon

    Tender And Juicy Apple Stuffed Baked Boneless Pork Chops

    Tender And Juicy Apple Stuffed Baked Boneless Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ONE-PAN pork chops with apples recipe yields seared pork that’s stuffed with sweet sautéed apples and baked to caramelized perfection.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Apple Stuffed Baked Boneless Pork Chops

    Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup

    A serving spoon of tuna casserole.
    Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy, nostalgic tuna noodle casserole recipe skips the canned soup and includes a crunchy potato chip topping for a dinner everyone will love.
    Get the Recipe: Tuna & Noodle Casserole Without Canned Soup

    Skillet Dinner With Hamburger Rice And Tomatoes

    Skillet Hamburger and Rice casserole with a wooden spoon.
    Skillet Dinner With Hamburger Rice And Tomatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This hamburger rice casserole is made in one pot on the stovetop for the easiest, cheesy beef dish you’ve ever made. An easy casserole for weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Dinner With Hamburger Rice And Tomatoes

    Skillet Smothered French Onion Pork Chops

    Three seasoned pork chops simmer with sliced onions and rich brown gravy, creating a hearty and savory dish—perfect for easy meals. The skillet, with red handles, sits on a white surface.
    Skillet Smothered French Onion Pork Chops. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Enjoy tender French Onion Pork Chops smothered in caramelized onions, rich sauce, and melted provolone cheese. Perfect for easy family dinners.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Smothered French Onion Pork Chops

    Easy Shrimp And Grits Recipe (30 Minute Meal!)

    Shrimp and grits with a creamy sauce.
    Easy Shrimp And Grits Recipe (30 Minute Meal!). Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Easy Shrimp and Grits Recipe is so comforting and ready in about 30 minutes! Creamy grits topped with shrimp, cheese, bacon and onion!
    Get the Recipe: Easy Shrimp And Grits Recipe (30 Minute Meal!)

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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