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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Cooking Was a Chore—Then These 21 No-Fuss Meals Made It Fun Again

    Published: Jun 9, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Lately, I was so over cooking—it felt like such a chore after long days. But then I stumbled on these no fuss meals, and wow, total game-changer. They’re quick, delicious, and don’t leave a mountain of dishes behind. Seriously, it made me actually want to cook again.

    Easy Homemade Shake And Bake Pork Chops

    A fork with a bite of shake and bake pork chop.
    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

    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.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    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)

    Chicken Adobo Recipe

    A close-up of a plate of white rice topped with glazed chicken, garnished with sliced green onions and whole black peppercorns—an easy option for affordable dinners. A fork is pulling apart a piece of the chicken.
    Chicken Adobo Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner you can make in 30 minutes with everyday ingredients? You’re going to love filipino chicken adobo. Marinated and then cooked in a savory sauce with incredibly tender chicken.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Adobo Recipe

    Pork Marsala With Mushrooms

    A serving spoon in a skillet of pork marsala medallions
    Pork Marsala With Mushrooms. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet and savory Marsala sauce dripping over pork tenderloin in this Pork Marsala with Mushrooms will make any weeknight dinner seem like a holiday.
    Get the Recipe: Pork Marsala With Mushrooms

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

    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

    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 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.

    Mix up pasta night and try Penne with Artichokes and Italian sausage. 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

    Mussels With Apples A Quick Dinner

    Close-up of a dish featuring cooked mussels in their shells, garnished with sliced mushrooms and fresh chopped parsley—an elegant option perfect for effortless weeknight dinners.
    Mussels With Apples A Quick Dinner. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    A delicious and quick dinner for a week night or dinner party, Mussels with Apples are sure to please. Steamed in a light cream sauce with apples and apple brandy for an amazing flavor combination. On the table in 20 minutes start to finish.
    Get the Recipe: Mussels With Apples A Quick Dinner

    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.

    Easy 30-minute recipes don’t need to be bland, and this grilled pork tenderloin proves just that. You can be fast and unique, a must-try!
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Pineapple Salsa

    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

    Bone-In Oven Roasted Pork Chops With Peaches

    Three seasoned pork chops on a baking sheet, surrounded by sliced peaches and red onions, all roasted and slightly caramelized—a perfect example of effortless sheet pan meals.
    Bone-In Oven Roasted Pork Chops With Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Pork chops with peaches are sweetened with roasted peaches for a sheet pan meal that comes together in less than 10 minutes and ready in 30.
    Get the Recipe: Bone-In Oven Roasted Pork Chops With Peaches

    Shrimp Scampi With Zucchini Noodles

    Shrimp and zucchini in a skillet
    Shrimp Scampi With Zucchini Noodles. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Looking for a healthy, quick and easy dinner tonight? Try keto shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles. Garlic and butter coat the zoodles, you won’t even miss the pasta.
    Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi With Zucchini Noodles

    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

    Tomato Basil Pasta

    A skillet filled with cooked spaghetti in tomato sauce, garnished with grated cheese and fresh basil, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
    Tomato Basil Pasta. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Tomato basil pasta combines fresh tomatoes, sweet basil, garlic, and Calabrian chili paste for a easy weeknight dinner that hits the spot!
    Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Pasta

    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.

    More about me →

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