What to Make for Dinner When You're Lazy: 15 Ideas

You're tired. You don't want to cook. But you're also hungry. Here are 15 meals that require almost zero effort.

No-Cook Meals

• Sandwich: Bread + deli meat + cheese + mustard. 2 minutes, no cooking.
• Wraps: Tortilla + hummus + whatever vegetables you have. Roll and eat.
• Cereal: Not just for breakfast. Add fruit and it's a meal.
• Yogurt parfait: Greek yogurt + granola + berries. Layer in a glass.
• Caprese salad: Sliced tomatoes + fresh mozzarella + basil + olive oil + balsamic.

Microwave Meals

• Baked potato: Poke holes, microwave 5 minutes. Top with butter, cheese, or sour cream.
• Quesadilla: Tortilla + cheese on a plate, microwave 1 minute. Not crispy but melty.
• Mac and cheese: Microwave pasta + water, drain, add cheese. 8 minutes total.
• Scrambled eggs: Eggs + milk in a mug, microwave 90 seconds, stir halfway.

One-Pan Meals

• Grilled cheese: Bread + butter + cheese in a pan. 5 minutes per side.
• Eggs and toast: Fry eggs while bread toasts. 4 minutes total.
• Pasta with jarred sauce: Boil pasta, heat sauce, combine. 12 minutes.
• Stir fry: Frozen vegetables + soy sauce + rice. 15 minutes if rice is already cooked.
• Bean tacos: Canned beans + tortillas + cheese + hot sauce. Heat and assemble.
• Breakfast for dinner: Scrambled eggs + toast + fruit. Always satisfying.

Can't decide? Try our free Random Food Generator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the laziest dinner possible?

A sandwich or cereal. Both require zero cooking and take under 2 minutes. Add a piece of fruit for nutrition.

Is it bad to eat microwave meals?

Not inherently. Microwave cooking preserves nutrients well. The concern is more about the sodium and preservatives in pre-packaged microwave meals. Making your own microwave meals (like a baked potato) is fine.