These 30 Easy Wins Are Carrying the Whole Week

The kind of easy wins carrying the whole week aren’t flashy—they’re just solid. These meals come through when you’re low on time, short on energy, or just not in the mood to deal with much. You don’t need special ingredients or a second wind to make them happen. They’re the ones you reach for on a Tuesday and end up repeating on Friday because they just make life easier. Nothing fancy—just great food that pulls its weight.

An image of kung pao tofu served in a bowl over rice.

Kung Pao Tofu. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Easy Microwave Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of microwave mac and cheese in a bowl with a spoon. — Easy Microwave Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This microwave mac and cheese is quick to make and doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes. It’s the kind of shortcut that earns its place in meals carrying the week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Microwave Mac and Cheese

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

An overhead image of a hand holding a cast iron skillet with cornbread. — Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This skillet cornbread uses instant polenta and comes together in about an hour. It’s a smart way to round out dinner without much effort, especially on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

Easy Cabbage Curry

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

This cabbage curry is a one-pot recipe that’s ready in 25 minutes. It’s a fast, nutritious dinner that holds up when you need the week to run smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas

Slow cooker beef carnitas take minimal prep and come out bold and tender. A quick broil at the end makes this a solid meal prep option that works all week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas

Veggie Taco Salad

This vegetarian taco salad pulls together all the familiar flavors in one quick bowl. It’s a great option when you need something fast but still fresh.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Paccheri al Forno

Paccheri al forno keeps it simple with just a few pantry ingredients. It's an easy baked pasta that fits right in with weeknight routines.
Get the Recipe: Paccheri al Forno

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 comes together in 30 minutes with pantry basics. It’s a hearty, fast dinner that pulls its weight all week long.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Creamy White Bean Chili

Vegan Bolognese

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

Lentils and mushrooms turn into a rich vegan bolognese that’s done in under an hour. It’s a practical, family-friendly dinner that makes good use of weeknight time.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Bolognese

Italian Pork Roast

This slow cooker Italian pork roast builds flavor while you go about your day. It's a good fit for the kind of dinners that carry the week without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pork Roast

Kung Pao Tofu

Kung Pao tofu is quick to prep and cooks in under 30 minutes. It’s bold, colorful, and easy enough to throw into your rotation on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Tofu

Easy Veggie Lasagna

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

This vegetable lasagna uses roasted vegetables, ricotta, and noodles for a meatless bake. It’s an easy way to fit more vegetables into your dinner plan.
Get the Recipe: Easy Veggie Lasagna

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 Indian rice and lentil dish that cooks in 45 minutes. It’s a reliable meal to keep on hand when you need something simple but steady.
Get the Recipe: Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari

Vegan Drumsticks

These vegan drumsticks are crunchy, plant-based, and easy to make. They’re a good stand-in when you want something different that still fits a weeknight vibe.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Drumsticks

Beans and Cornbread

This Southern-style meal is simple to make and keeps well. It’s a cold weather favorite that pulls together comfort and convenience in one go.
Get the Recipe: Beans and Cornbread

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 vegan cabbage soup is hearty, one-pot, and great for batch cooking. It’s a smart move when you want to keep weeknight meals easy and efficient.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Easy Mushroom Wellington

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

Vegan mushroom Wellington has savory mushrooms and flaky pastry in every bite. It’s a solid dinner pick when you want something easy but still a little special.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mushroom Wellington

Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian fried rice cooks fast and is loaded with vegetables and bold flavor. It’s a fast, no-stress recipe that fits easily into a busy week.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Pasta Fresca

Pasta fresca uses simple ingredients and is done in under 30 minutes. It’s one of those meals that proves you don’t need much to get something great on the table.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Fresca

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.

This broccoli cheese casserole has just three ingredients and bakes in 30 minutes. It’s a quick fix that feels like more than the effort it takes.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Aloo Gobi Masala

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

This aloo gobi recipe uses one pan and needs less than 15 minutes of active prep. It’s exactly the kind of low-effort dinner that makes the week easier.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala

German Pork Loin

Slow-cooked German pork loin is hearty and easy to prep. The gravy and tender meat make this a solid option for when you want dinner to handle itself.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Crockpot beef stroganoff with wooden spoon. — Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Beef stroganoff comes together in the slow cooker with little hands-on time. It’s rich, practical, and a strong choice for laid-back weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Spaghetti Squash Soup

Spaghetti squash soup cooks fast and keeps things simple with basic ingredients. It’s a good way to pull together a plant-based meal without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Soup

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro uses just a few ingredients and cooks in under 30 minutes. It’s great when you need something quick, easy, and worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Green bean casserole with cream cheese is a fast and flexible side dish. It works well for family dinners or anytime you need something easy that feeds a group.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

A close up view of a cooked asparagus casserole in a baking dish. — Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This asparagus casserole bakes in under an hour with cheese and breadcrumbs on top. It’s a low-effort dish that still feels complete on a weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Broccoli pesto pasta is ready in 30 minutes and packed with roasted vegetables. Serve with ricotta to make this a quick dinner you’ll want again soon.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Chana Masala

Chana masala is a one-pot chickpea curry that’s ready in 30 minutes. It’s a reliable dinner that comes through again and again when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala

Crockpot Pork Chops

These slow cooker pork chops are tender, easy to prep, and ready when you walk in the door. They’re a strong choice for low-effort dinners during busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Pork Chops

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 is bold, crunchy, and fast to cook in just 30 minutes. It’s a solid go-to when you want something that hits hard and doesn’t take all night.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Spicy Gochujang Tofu