These 30 Easy Meals Got Me Back in the Kitchen

There was a stretch where I barely cooked, and I just couldn't bring myself to care. But these easy meals? They got me back in the kitchen. Nothing fancy, just things that actually made me want to cook again—quick to throw together, low on stress, and still felt like I’d done something good for myself. If you’ve hit a rut or just want a reset, this is the kind of stuff that helped me get there.

Overhead view of rigatoni arrabbiata dish placed on a white plate and baking dish.

Rigatoni Arrabbiata. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan Bolognese

An image of bolognese in a bowl with basil on top. — Vegan Bolognese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan bolognese comes together with lentils, mushrooms, and tomato sauce for a hearty, weeknight-friendly meal. It’s a strong pick when you want something simple that still feels like cooking again.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Bolognese

Easy Mushroom Wellington

An overhead image of mushroom wellington in a serving plate. — Easy Mushroom Wellington. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mushroom Wellington wrapped in flaky pastry makes this plant-based dinner feel like more than the usual routine. It’s a great pick when you want to cook something impressive without overcomplicating things.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mushroom Wellington

Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian fried rice is quick to prep, full of color, and ready in just 15 minutes. It’s exactly the kind of no-stress dish that made getting back into the kitchen easier.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Aloo Gobi Masala

An overhead image of aloo gobi in a white plate. — Aloo Gobi Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pan aloo gobi roasts up fast with cauliflower, potatoes, and spices in under 15 minutes of prep. It’s a strong choice for when you want something easy and hands-off.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pot vegan cabbage soup is filling and easy to make in large batches. It helped make weeknight dinners feel doable again without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Rigatoni Arrabbiata

Rigatoni arrabbiata is a bold, garlic-and-tomato pasta that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s the kind of straightforward meal that helped break my cooking rut.
Get the Recipe: Rigatoni Arrabbiata

Spaghetti Squash Soup

Spaghetti squash soup comes together fast with simple ingredients in under 45 minutes. It’s a good reminder that you don’t need much to put together a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Soup

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side. — 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli cheese casserole needs just three ingredients and about 30 minutes. It was a go-to when I wanted something warm and easy without overthinking dinner.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

An overhead image of vegan white bean chili with toppings. — Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan white bean chili uses pantry staples and comes together in 30 minutes. It’s one of those simple meals that helped make cooking feel manageable again.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

Mushroom Ragù

An image of mushroom ragu in a white bowl with a garnish of basil on top. — Mushroom Ragù. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mushroom ragù is a one-pan dinner that’s great served over pasta, rice, or polenta. It’s the kind of low-lift meal that got me excited to cook on weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Ragù

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

This lemon ricotta pasta takes 15 minutes and cooks in one pot. It’s fast, easy, and the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel less like a chore.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Beans and Cornbread

This Southern-style dish is hearty and made with familiar pantry ingredients and spices. It’s the kind of meal that helped get me cooking again without a lot of planning.
Get the Recipe: Beans and Cornbread

Jamaican Rasta Pasta

An overhead image of cooked rasta pasta on a serving bowl. — Jamaican Rasta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Rasta pasta is a lightly spiced vegan dish that comes together in 30 minutes. It’s perfect when you want something fresh and easy after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Rasta Pasta

Kung Pao Tofu

Kung Pao tofu is bold and crunchy, ready in 30 minutes with bell peppers and peanuts. It’s quick to make and helped make dinner feel doable on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Tofu

Easy Cabbage Curry

An overhead image of cooked cabbage curry in a round plate. — Easy Cabbage Curry. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cabbage curry is a one-pot vegan meal that comes together in 25 minutes. It’s the kind of thing that made weeknight cooking feel less like work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Broccoli pesto pasta with roasted broccoli and tomatoes takes just 30 minutes. It’s an easy choice when you want something that feels like real cooking without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Paccheri al Forno

Paccheri al Forno is a Southern Italian baked pasta with a rich, comforting flavor. It’s simple to prep and a great fit for days when you need something filling but easy.
Get the Recipe: Paccheri al Forno

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Horizontal image of fried rice in a white bowl with brown chopsticks on the side. — Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried rice is ready in 15 minutes with whatever’s in your fridge and day-old rice. It’s the kind of back-pocket recipe that helped ease me into cooking again.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Chana Masala

Chana masala is a one-pot chickpea curry ready in 30 minutes. It’s an easy way to get started with Indian cooking without overcomplicating things.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala

Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu

An overhead image of gochujang tofu rice bowl with chopsticks on the side. — Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Gochujang tofu has crispy edges and a sweet-spicy sauce, ready in 30 minutes. It’s a fast, protein-packed meal that helped me stop overthinking dinner.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu

Veggie Taco Salad

This vegetarian taco salad comes together quickly with all the familiar taco flavors. It’s a no-fuss meal that made cooking feel manageable again.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Easy Veggie Lasagna

An image of a slice of vegetable lasagna on a white serving plate. — Easy Veggie Lasagna. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetable lasagna is layered with roasted vegetables and ricotta cheese. It’s a hearty option that helped get me back in the kitchen with simple steps.
Get the Recipe: Easy Veggie Lasagna

Pasta Fresca

Pasta fresca uses a handful of fresh ingredients and is done in under 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that reminded me how easy cooking can be.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Fresca

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is a classic pasta with tomato sauce that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It’s budget-friendly and a great pick for getting back to basics.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari

An overhead view of kitchari in a pot above a wooden board. — Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Kitchari is a one-pot lentil and rice dish that comes together in 45 minutes. It’s simple to make and one of those meals that helped rebuild a routine.
Get the Recipe: Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari

Hunan Chicken

Hunan chicken is cooked in one pan with stir-fried vegetables and a sticky sauce. It’s quick, flavorful, and helped make weeknight meals feel doable again.
Get the Recipe: Hunan Chicken

Lamb Ragu

Slow cooker lamb ragù simmers into a rich sauce with very little prep. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of dish that made home-cooked dinners feel possible again.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Ragu

Beef Barbacoa

Slow cooker beef barbacoa needs minimal prep and cooks into a rich, flavorful filling. It’s a great choice for a low-effort dinner that feels put together.
Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw

Close-up image of slow cooker bbq apple plled pork sandwich with apple carrot slaw. — Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with apple slaw come together easily in the slow cooker. It’s a simple way to make something fun without standing over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Apple Carrot Slaw

Beef Steak Fajitas

Steak fajitas are made with peppers, onions, and a quick sear for bold flavor. It’s a simple, reliable dinner that made cooking feel less complicated.
Get the Recipe: Beef Steak Fajitas