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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    These Dinners Are Made for Lazy Evenings and Zero Fuss

    Published: Jun 30, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Some nights, I just want to toss something together, kick my feet up, and not worry about dishes or drama. That’s when I reach for those go-to dinners made for lazy evenings—the kind that practically cook themselves and still taste amazing. Whether it’s a one-pan wonder or something straight from the freezer, these meals are all about ease without sacrificing flavor. Trust me, your couch, your favorite show, and your belly will thank you.

    Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak

    A pan seared steak sliced on a serving platter.
    Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Restaurant-quality, tender juicy steak right in your own kitchen in about 10 minutes. So easy, this garlic herb butter steak will melt-in-your-mouth.
    Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Buttery Garlic Ribeye Steak

    Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade)

    A platter with a fork and grilled chicken.
    Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

    Tequila Lime Chicken – so EASY with a marinade of Tequila, agave, orange and lime juice, a family favorite and perfect for Cinco de Mayo.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Tequila Chicken Recipe (Chicken Marinade)

    Pecan Pork Chops With Honey Glaze

    A honey glazed pork chop on a plate with a knife and fork.
    Pecan Pork Chops With Honey Glaze. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With their flavorful, caramelized edges and sticky sweet sauce, these Honey Glazed Pork Chops will have your whole family asking for seconds.
    Get the Recipe: Pecan Pork Chops With Honey Glaze

    The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

    Two grilled pork chops on a metal platter.
    The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Perfect, juicy grilled pork chops in less than 20 minutes! You never need to have dry pork chops again! (Easy recipe!)
    Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

    Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

    Creamy pasta with Italian sausage on a platter
    Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This quick and easy creamy Italian sausage pasta is a great weeknight pasta dinner that will be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Sure to be a family favorite with savory Italian sausage and rosemary.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage And Pasta

    Creamy Au Poivre Sauce With Peppercorns

    Sliced steak au poivre topped with peppercorn sauce served next to creamy mashed potatoes on a white plate, with a fork and a piece of bread visible in the background.
    Creamy Au Poivre Sauce With Peppercorns. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    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

    30 Minute Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Artichoke Hearts

    Sun-Dried pasta with artichokes in a skillet.
    30 Minute Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Artichokes add just the right flavor along with some sun-dried tomatoes for an easy pasta dish you can make in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Artichoke Hearts

    Pancetta Pasta

    Tongs pulling up pasta.
    Pancetta Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Enjoy diving into Fettuccine Carbonara with Pancetta, for a rich and creamy sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Pancetta Pasta

    Lasagna With Bechamel

    A serving of homemade lasagna
    Lasagna With Bechamel. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Homemade Lasagna Recipe is an all time favorite comfort food. Smothered in a creamy béchamel sauce it’s the best homemade lasagna you’ll find.
    Get the Recipe: Lasagna With Bechamel

    30 Minute Meatball Stroganoff

    A bowl of egg noodles covered in stroganoff meatballs.
    30 Minute Meatball Stroganoff. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This made from scratch beef stroganoff meatball recipe has a creamy sour cream sauce with no canned soup in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Meatball Stroganoff

    Buffalo Chicken Casserole With Tater Tots

    A serving being taken from a chicken casserole.
    Buffalo Chicken Casserole With Tater Tots. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Satisfy your comfort food craving with this buffalo chicken casserole (or hot dish).It’s made with ground chicken, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and frozen tater tots.
    Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Casserole With Tater Tots

    Quick & Delicious Instant Pot Pulled Bbq Chicken Recipe

    A close-up of a shredded chicken sandwich with pickles on a multigrain bun, served on a gray plate—perfect for game day potluck recipes.
    Quick & Delicious Instant Pot Pulled Bbq Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This quick and delicious Instant Pot pulled BBQ chicken recipe is perfect for sandwiches, BBQ plates, or tacos in just 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Quick & Delicious Instant Pot Pulled Bbq Chicken Recipe

    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    Cheese being pulled from a pot of spaghetti with two spoons.
    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This no-bake spaghetti casserole with ground beef is comfort food at its finest! The secret to this homestyle pasta dinner is a can of mushroom soup!
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    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

    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

    One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole

    Southwest chicken and rice in a pot with a spoon.
    One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This simple Southwestern one pot Chicken and Rice can be made start to finish in forty minutes with rotisserie chicken, cheese, and rice.
    Get the Recipe: One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole

    Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

    A skillet of creamy shrimp carbonara.
    Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Follow these easy make-ahead steps for shrimp carbonara with grilled corn (it doesn’t have to be grilled) and bacon.
    Get the Recipe: Shrimp Carbonara With Grilled Corn

    Cheesy Chicken Mac

    A close-up of chicken mac in a floral-patterned dish. The pasta is covered in a creamy sauce and mixed with cooked spinach and chunks of tender chicken. A serving spoon is scooping out a portion, capturing some of the gooey, cheesy topping.
    Cheesy Chicken Mac. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Cheesy Chicken Mac is less like mac and cheese and more like a casserole with its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and fresh spinach.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Mac

    Chicken In Puff Pastry With Mustard Cream Sauce

    chicken in puff pastry with mustard cream sauce on top on a black plate on a gray towel.
    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

    Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese

    A bowl of slow cooker chicken salsa chili.
    Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Chicken Chili Crock Pot recipe is light, fresh and delicious. Just dump the ingredients into your crockpot so you come home to an easy dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese

    Easy Homemade Shake And Bake Pork Chops

    Two pork chops on a plate with a knife and fork.
    Easy Homemade Shake And Bake Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With panko bread crumbs, classic seasonings, and buttermilk, this homemade shake and bake pork chop recipe is a satisfying weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Shake And Bake Pork Chops

    Pf Chang’s Mongolian Beef

    A black platter of rice topped with Mongolian beef stir fry.
    Pf Chang’s Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A copy cat of PF Chang’s Mongolian beef with tender sliced beef in a sticky savory sauce makes for a quick and fun weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Pf Chang’s Mongolian Beef

    Tender And Juicy Apricot Chicken Recipe

    A plate of apricot chicken on a bed of rice.
    Tender And Juicy Apricot Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Apricot Dijon Chicken is a quick dinner you can prep in just 10 minutes that comes out tender and juicy every time.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Apricot Chicken Recipe

    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

    Angel Hair Pasta With Shrimp Recipe

    Angel Hair Pasta With Shrimp Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This 25-minute Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp dish is served with a creamy sauce packed with delicious Tuscan flavors.
    Get the Recipe: Angel Hair Pasta With Shrimp Recipe

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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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