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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    I Cook These Weeknight Dinners When I’m Too Tired to Think

    Published: Jul 2, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Some nights, I’m just running on fumes—and that’s exactly when I cook these dinners when I’m too tired to even think straight. They’re the kind of easy, no-fuss meals that don’t require a plan, a ton of energy, or a mountain of dishes. Honestly, I’ve leaned on them more times than I can count, and they always come through. If you’re like me and need dinner to basically cook itself, you’re in the right place.

    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.


     

    Tequila Lime Chicken – so EASY with a marinade of Tequila, agave, orange and lime juice, a family favorite.
    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.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    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

    Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet

    Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    Make a quick and delicious Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet for dinner. This easy recipe combines classic flavors perfect for weeknight meals.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet

    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

    Smothered Pork Chops With Boursin Gravy

    A plate with a pork chop over rice.
    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

    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

    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

    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

    Baked Trout Fillets

    Baked Trout Fillets. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

    This baked trout recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Fresh rosemary and zesty lemon pair perfectly with the fish.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Trout Fillets

    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

    Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

    A serving dish of creamy beef stroganoff.
    Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This one-pot Beef Stroganoff is made with ground beef and homemade mushroom soup for an extra flavor boost.
    Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

    Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

    Two tacos with chicken and peppers on a plate
    Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

    Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas are a quick, flavorful dinner with succulent chicken, vibrant peppers, and sweet onions. Perfect for busy nights!
    Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas

    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

    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

    30 Minute Meatball Stroganoff

    A bowl of stroganoff meatballs with egg noodles.
    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

    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

    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!)

    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

    Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta

    A large bowl of broccoli pasta with ricotta.
    Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Ricotta pasta with roasted broccoli makes a perfect quick weeknight dinner. A lighter, but still flavorful, mac and cheese dish.
    Get the Recipe: Ricotta Cheese And Broccoli Pasta

    Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

    A bite of chicken fried steak on a fork.
    Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tender, juicy, and crispy chicken fried steak is served with creamy white gravy and all of your favorite sides.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Steak With White Gravy

    Lemon Spaghetti

    Lemon Spaghetti. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This quick and easy Lemon Spaghetti has a tasty, herby light taste that’s perfect for Spring dinners! Plus it’s quick (made under 30 minutes)!
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Spaghetti

    Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

    A plate of sliced pork tenderloin on rice with pineapple salsa.
    Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A juicy pineapple pork tenderloin that is first marinated and then cooked on the grill for an easy dinner in less than 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

    Pork Chops with Cherry Peppers

    Pork Chops with Cherry Peppers. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

    Pork chops with cherry peppers and onions–delicious, kid-friendly, and easy. You’ll have dinner on the table in less than an hour!
    Get the Recipe: Pork Chops with Cherry Peppers

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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.

    More about me →

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