20 Easy Recipes For When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

You’re tired, drained, unhappy and just aren’t in the mood to cook tonight.

Trust me, I know. I’ve been there.

But I also know you’ll feel even worse after eating that drive-through meal you picked up on the way home. You’ll feel bloated, guilty and sluggish. None of which is going to help you feel like the BETTER YOU.

Of course, you could run in for a rotisserie chicken or salad as a better option. I’m guilty of this one more than a few times.

BUT why not hit up your arsenal of fast and easy recipes instead?

Just seeing bright, fresh yummy vegetables instantly gives your mind and body a boost. Eating them is even better.

Paired with whole grains, lean meats and herbs and spices are exactly what your mind and body need right now.

Self-care is important, especially when you’re feeling a little low. Good food really does feed the soul. So go ahead and treat yourself to a home cooked version of your favorite takeout.

Another benefit of cooking is that it brings your mind into the present. Because you’re focusing on cooking, you forget your troubles for a bit. As a result, you relax and chill out. And by the time you’re eating, you’ll already be feeling better.

So what are your go-to comfort foods?

I love Asian flavors, a good soup or salad, grilled cheese, pizza, anything with a potato and chocolate. Occasionally, I want a fat, delicious burgers with fries.

All these in takeout form are not so great stuff. But by cooking them at home, I get my comfort foods craving without all the added salt, fat, sugar and grease.

So forget the takeout and get to cooking when you’re feeling tired, down and less than sexy. Instead, cook one of these fast,  awesomely tasty and easy recipes perfect for helping you get back to the BETTER YOU.

1. Healthy Beef and Broccoli

Deliciously easy, this Beef and Broccoli recipe from One Lovely Life, can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Serve with rice for a complete meal.

2. Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles with Spinach and Ricotta

Feel warmed and loved with a fast and easy Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles with Spinach and Ricotta vegetarian recipe from Running to the Kitchen.

3. 20-Minute Shrimp Tacos

Tacos make excellent comfort food and they’re fast, especially when you make Pass Me Some Tasty’s Easy 20-Minute Shrimp Tacos recipe.

4. Szechuan Green Beans and Pork

You can make Catz in the Kitchen’s yummy Szechuan Green Beans and Pork recipe faster than you can call for take out and have it delivered.

5. Brownie Nutella Bars

While it’s not dinner, sometimes we need our chocolate fix when we’re feeling tired and getting freshly made Brownie Nutella Bars from Vessy’s Day’s recipe is the perfect fast fix.

6. Kale Stir-Fry with Crispy Curried Tofu

Perk up with a bowl of noodles, fresh veggies and tofu with Lauren Caris Cook’s fast and easy recipe for Kale Stir-Fry with Crispy Curried Tofu.

7. Chicken Rigatoni

Pasta like Catz in the Kitchen’s Chicken Rigatoni recipe is always a fast, tasty choice for those nights when you’re tired and don’t feel like complicated cooking. Pair with a glass of Italian red wine and relax for the evening.

8. Spicy Moroccan Couscous with Chorizo and Prawns

Spice up your life in 20-minutes or less with a Spicy Moroccan Couscous with Chorizo and Prawns recipe from James to Jamie.

9. Garlic-Orange Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus Bowls

Citrus, pork and asparagus are a great quick-to-make rice bowl combination, when you cook up Homemade Nutrition’s Garlic-Orange Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus Bowl recipe.

10. Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans with Pesto

This vegetarian dish is loaded with yummy pesto and a little kick of spice in Simply Sophisticated Cooking’s simple Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans with Pesto recipe.

11. One Pot Lemon Chicken Tortellini Soup with Greens

Spoonful of Flavor’s recipe for One Pot Lemon Chicken Tortellini Soup with Greens is not only delicious but an fast and easy recipe to make.

12. Honey Sesame Shrimp and Broccoli

Fast sauteed shrimp and broccoli in sesame sauce in Fox and Briar’s recipe for Honey Sesame Shrimp and Broccoli served over rice or noodles, your choice, makes a fantastically quick meal when you’re wanting a fast meal.

13. Smokey Adobe Lentil Tacos or Bowls

Whether you up for tacos or lentil bowls, you’ll love the fast preparations of Wholy Goodness’s Smokey Adobe Lentil Tacos recipe.

14. Thai Steak and Mango Noodle Bowl

Bright fruits, vegetables and lean beef are quick and easily on the table in 20 minutes or less when you use Lively Table’s Thai Steak and Mango Noodle Bowl recipe.

15. Sauteed Cabbage and Leeks with Pancetta

The Sauteed Cabbage and Leeks with Pancetta recipe from Simply Sophisticated Cooking is a great way to get a delicious mood enhancing meal on the table fast.

16. Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Sriracha Aioli on Green Chili Cornbread Waffles

Waffles are the ultimate comfort food. Switch waffles up for fast savory with Simply Sophisticated Cooking’s recipe from Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Sriracha Aioli on Green Chili Cornbread Waffles.

17. Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers

Recipe Runner’s recipe for Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers is simple, fast to make and will leave you drooling for more ooey, gooey cheesy goodness.

18. Chai Tea Hot Chocolate

Get your chocolate fix by combining the comforting best of both tea and hot chocolate in Terminatetor Kitchen’s recipe for Chai Tea Hot Chocolate.

19. Carne Asada Fries

Get your fry fix at home with deliciously fast and easy Carne Asada Fries recipe from Downshiftology using lean meat and fresh yummy veggies.

20. Mexican Street Corn Macaroni and Cheese

No comforting, fast and easy recipe list would be complete without a mac and cheese recipe. Combine the yummy goodness of street corn with cheesy mac and cheese in Zen and Spice’s Mexican Street Corn Macaroni and Cheese recipe.