I Tried 29 Dinners Just To Avoid Doing The Dishes Again
The sink was full, and the thought of washing more dishes felt too heavy. A smart fix came from trying 29 dinners made with fewer pans and less mess. Each dish brought peace to both the table and the sink. These dinners made mealtime feel lighter in every way.

Hasselback Potatoes

You’ll love the way these potatoes cook up all crispy and golden. Hasselback Potatoes make each bite tender inside with a perfect texture outside. Toss them in and let them roast as you relax. No extra sink time is waiting with this throw-it-in-the-oven dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes
Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara

A restaurant-worthy meal can happen right in your kitchen without much effort. Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara brings a comforting, cheesy plate of pasta home. It’s all about layering rich flavors without worrying about dish overload later. This one’s easy, hearty, and less cleanup every time.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Layers come together to make this cozy favorite irresistible. The creamy filling of Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna pairs perfectly with tender pasta sheets. Toss it in the oven and let everything meld into a filling feast. It’s warm, simple, and saves time in the dish department.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Sweet and tasty glaze coats tender chicken pieces in this easy dish. Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken is perfect when you want to skip ordering out. Toss it together in less time and skip the piles of cookware. Your dinner routine just got a little easier.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Penne Alla Vodka

A creamy sauce with a hint of richness sets this dish apart. Penne Alla Vodka is the perfect option for a meal that feels special without extra fuss afterward. It cooks up quick and leaves behind minimal cleanup. Just one pot and you’re done with everything but enjoying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka
Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta

Add a little kick to your dinner lineup with bold flavors in every bite. Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta mixes tender pasta with a smoky twist. You’ll love how everything comes together with just one main dish in focus. Say goodbye to juggling pans and extra washing up.
Get the Recipe: Easy Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta
Vegetable Stir Fry

Simple, colorful, and packed with your favorite veggies to keep things fresh. Vegetable Stir Fry lets you cook everything up in one good pan. No piles of plates to worry about later, just tasty bites ready to eat. It’s the type of dinner you’ll be glad you tried.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry
Chipotle Grilled Chicken

A bold, smoky flavor makes this grilled favorite stand out on your table. Chipotle Grilled Chicken is perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty with ease. It cooks up quickly without stressing over piles of cookware afterward. Just one quick plate and you’re satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Grilled Chicken
Pasta alla Norma

A cozy mix of pasta and rich sauce makes this classic dish hard to beat. Pasta alla Norma combines the earthiness of eggplant with a deep, flavorful base that’s so simple to make. Everything cooks together with minimal mess waiting afterward. It’s all about enjoying dinner without overthinking cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma
Best Oven Baked Ribs Recipe

Falling-off-the-bone goodness straight from your oven with little effort. Best Oven Baked Ribs turns a good meal into something great without much hassle. Just let the ribs cook low and slow while you relax without extra pots around. Don’t overthink it; this dish is friendly for kitchen breaks.
Get the Recipe: Best Oven Baked Ribs Recipe
Best Lemon Pasta

A refreshing twist meets comfort in this simple pasta dish. Best Lemon Pasta keeps flavor light but tasty without piling up cookware. Quick to cook, easy to serve, and leaves behind less mess to deal with. It’s a go-to when you’re craving something effortless yet good.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta
Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Big flavors roasted and caramelized to perfection without the mess. Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables lets everything bake together without much fuss. Toss it into the oven, let the timer do the work, and enjoy a quick cleanup later. Simple, flavorful, and skips extra chores.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables
Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Crispy and tender bites made right at home in no time. Chick-fil-A Nuggets recreate that go-to snack with an easy recipe. Perfect for eating on the couch or dining without stress over pots and pans cluttering the kitchen later. You’ll love how simple this feels after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Lentil Soup

Warm and comforting soup that holds up as an easy dinner solution. Lentil Soup brings hearty flavors together in one pot with barely any dishes to deal with. It’s filling and fuss-free, making it a great choice for busy nights. Simplicity really shines in this straightforward meal.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Rich flavors develop slowly while you sit back and take it easy. Slow Cooker Pot Roast takes the work out of dinner with just one pot doing all the heavy lifting. Perfect for hands-free cooking that makes cleanup nearly nonexistent. It’s all about enjoying your meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Cacio e Pepe

After a busy day, there’s nothing better than a simple and quick dinner that feels special. Cacio e Pepe brings together pasta and a creamy kick of pepper for a dish that’s both comforting and unique. It’s a fuss-free option that doesn’t demand extra time or dishes to clean up later.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Easy Chicken Tenders

When you’re craving something quick yet crunchy without extra cleanup, Easy Chicken Tenders are the answer. They’re great for dipping, munching, or pairing with whatever leftovers you have in the fridge. The crispy outer layer and juicy inside make them a go-to dinner option after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Tenders
Garlic Knots

Some foods just bring a bit of fun to your plate without demanding too much of your time. Garlic Knots are fluffy, buttery bites that pair effortlessly with a cozy dinner. Being easy to make, these will keep your dishes down to just one bowl and a tray. Great for adding a twist to your dinner routine without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots
Chicken Pot Pie

A hot, hearty dinner doesn’t need a mountain of dishes or complicated prep. Chicken Pot Pie is exactly what you want when comfort food calls after a long day. The flaky crust combined with creamy filling feels like a warm hug that you can share. Perfect for family meals or quiet nights in with just a fork and plate to handle afterward.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
Mushroom Risotto

When you don’t want to juggle a kitchen full of tools, a one-pan recipe is the way to go. Mushroom Risotto makes dinner rich, creamy, and delicious without extra dishes piling up. Its flavor develops beautifully with minimal hassle, making it ideal for weeknights. Just a spoon, some stirring, and you’re ready to enjoy a cozy bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto
Spaghetti Bolognese

Long days often call for meals that require little but deliver big. Spaghetti Bolognese brings the right amount of flavor without leaving a stack of pans in the sink. It’s rich enough to feel homemade yet simple enough for a midweek dinner. An easy solution when you need something filling without stressing about cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Bolognese
Dinner Rolls

Warm and soft, sometimes simplicity is all you need to round out your meal without creating chaos in the kitchen. Dinner Rolls go wonderfully alongside just about anything you’re already cooking. They’re quick, easy, and leave little to clean besides the tray. Whether it’s leftovers or something from scratch, they just fit right in.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls
Pasta Carbonara

After exhausting your energy on everything else, a no-fuss meal is what you’ll appreciate most. Pasta Carbonara is creamy, indulgent, and comes together without needing much equipment. It’s one of those meals where simplicity shines and cleanup is barely an effort. Perfect for staying efficient after a day that feels endless.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
Chickpea Curry

For those nights when you want a comforting meal without working overtime in the kitchen, there’s Chickpea Curry. It’s flavorful, hearty, and uses just a few tools to make dinner a breeze. Whether paired with rice or enjoyed solo, it makes dinner time simple and filling. Cleanup is a breeze with just one pot for whipping up this tasty dish.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Curry
Chicken Tamale Pie

Sometimes all you need is a single pan to make a meal worth remembering. That’s where Chicken Tamale Pie finds its sweet spot, combining flavors into one comforting dish. It’s perfect for minimizing cleanup while enjoying something homemade. After eating, you’ll be glad you only have one dish to wash!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie
Marry Me Butter Beans

You don’t need the entire kitchen arsenal to whip up something cozy and filling. Marry Me Butter Beans are perfect for a no-fuss dinner that feels like you’ve put in effort without all the hassle. Their creamy texture and quick prep make them ideal for nights when you’re short on time. Bonus? Cleanup is just as easy as eating them.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Butter Beans
Gnocchi

Looking for something fun but still quick for dinner, Gnocchi keeps it simple with light, pillowy bites that hit the spot. You can pull this together quickly without dragging out tons of equipment. Plus, cleanup is just as easy as the cooking.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi
Marry Me Tortellini

Dinner doesn’t have to mean juggling ingredients and endless cooking tools. Marry Me Tortellini is perfect for keeping things easy but feeling hearty and filling at the same time. It’s one of those meals that offers comfort with minimal cleanup afterward. All you really need is a fork and a plate after enjoying it.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

After running around all day, the idea of pulling out multiple pots and pans is exhausting. That’s where Slow Cooker Pulled Pork steps in, with all the work done for you as it cooks. When it’s ready, you’ll have a flavorful meal waiting, minus all the post-dinner dish drama. Perfect for an easy, low-maintenance meal that you can just dig right into.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
