18 Fast Solutions for When You’re Not in the Mood to Cook or Bake

Fast, easy, and perfect for any day, these recipes are made for anyone who wants a quick and satisfying meal without all the fuss. Whether you're cooking or baking for yourself or the whole family, these dishes are the way to go when you’re short on time but don’t want to skip on flavor.

Meatball Pasta Bake

A plate of pasta with marinara sauce, meatballs, and melted cheese, served with a side salad. A fork holds a meatball and pasta above the plate. — Meatball Pasta Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

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Need a super simple dinner? This easy meatball pasta bake is the perfect choice! Just toss everything into one pan, stir it up, and bake. Dinner’s done with no hassle!
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts

Two square fruit tarts topped with ice cream sit on a white serving board. A lemon, blueberries, honey dipper, and bowls of brown sugar are around them. — Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

You won’t believe how fast these Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts come together! With store-bought puff pastry, you can make flaky layers and top them with your favorite fruits for a quick and easy dessert.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts

BBQ Chicken Sliders

A plate of pulled chicken sliders topped with coleslaw served on soft rolls. — Honey BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Say goodbye to fancy dinners with these Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders! Juicy BBQ chicken piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls makes for a quick and flavorful meal. You’ll love how simple and satisfying this dish is!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Easy Scrambled Eggs

A plate of scrambled eggs with toast and grapes. — Easy Scrambled Eggs. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Making the Best Scrambled Eggs is a breeze! With just a few simple ingredients like butter, milk, and fresh eggs, you can whip up a tasty breakfast in no time. Perfect for those busy mornings when you need something quick!
Get the Recipe: Easy Scrambled Eggs

Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

A slice of baked oatmeal topped with apple slices and dried fruits sits on a white plate next to a fork. — Baked Apple & Cranberry Oatmeal. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal is a game-changer for breakfast! It’s a one-bowl wonder filled with apples, cranberries, and warm spices, making it a quick and delicious option. Enjoy a slice drizzled with maple syrup for a sweet start to your day!
Get the Recipe: Apple Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

A group of cookies and chocolate chips. — Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Got a sudden chocolate craving? These small-batch chocolate chip cookies are the answer! They come together in no time, perfect for a quick warm and gooey treat whenever you need a little something sweet!
Get the Recipe: Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Grilled chicken flatbread pizzas on a marble countertop. — BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Meet your new weeknight hero: Easy BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza! It’s all about quick, hearty satisfaction without the fuss. Just use leftover chicken or cook up your own, and you’ll have a delicious meal in no time!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Apple Cream Scones

A slice of an Apple Scones on a white plate and a cup of tea. — Apple Cream Scones. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Bake this delicious buttery, tender Irish Apple Cream Scones for a quick and simple breakfast treat or afternoon snack. You will love the pat in the pan batter, not rolling or cutting out scones for this recipe.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cream Scones

Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

A plate of stuffed pepper casserole with rice, ground meat, and red bell peppers garnished with chopped parsley, served with a fork next to a skillet of the same dish. — Ground Beef And Rice Skillet. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner is a super quick meal that's loaded with cheesy goodness, peppers, and onions. You won’t believe it’s ready in just 30 minutes! Enjoy more time chilling out and less time in the kitchen!
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Rice Skillet Dinner

Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch

A white plate with two wedges of lettuce with bacon and dressing.

Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Impress your friends with this Wedge Caesar Salad with Bacon! It looks fancy but is super easy to make with just five ingredients. You’ll love how quick it comes together for a delicious and satisfying side!
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad with Bacon and Ranch

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

A casserole dish filled with a baked noodle and vegetable dish is partially eaten. A spoon is lifting a portion, revealing mixed vegetables and ground meat. Two forks rest on a blue cloth nearby. — Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Try this Creamy and Cheesy Hashbrown Hamburger Casserole for a comforting meal that’s effortless to make! It’s full of flavors and designed for those hectic evenings when you want something satisfying without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Quick Skillet Pizza

A pizza in a cast iron skillet. — Skillet Pizza with Beer Dough. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Got a pizza craving? This Quick Skillet Pizza is here to save the day! Using beer dough—no yeast required—this meal comes together fast and is packed with flavor. It’s the perfect solution for those laid-back weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Quick Skillet Pizza

Easy Homemade Biscuits

A close-up of golden-brown, flaky biscuits stacked on a piece of parchment paper, with a blue checkered cloth and a dish of butter in the background. — Homemade Biscuits. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Who knew homemade biscuits could be so easy? These fluffy, buttery biscuits can be on your table in just 30 minutes! Pair them with jam, scrambled eggs, or creamy butter for a delicious treat that’s quick to whip up!
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Biscuits

Rainbow Salad

Dive into this Rainbow Veggie Salad for a burst of color and flavor! Packed with crisp veggies, it’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste!
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Salad

Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls

Cinnamon crescent rolls on a white plate. — Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

These tender Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls bake up golden brown and buttery with a sweet cinnamon filling that starts with refrigerated crescent rolls for a quick breakfast treat. These rolls take minutes to make and bake to a delicious cinnamon pastry.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Crescent Rolls

Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Satisfy your cravings with this easy shrimp and broccoli stir fry recipe. Ready in 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Tortellini alla Panna

A bowl of creamy tortellini. — Tortellini alla Panna. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

If you love creamy pasta recipes, this tortellini alla panna is going to be your idea of heaven, with tortellini, cream and parmesan cheese.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini alla Panna

Ground Beef Tacos

Image shows three honey habanero tacos with corn shells sitting on a wooden board. — Ground Beef Tacos. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

We all love Taco Tuesday, right? This fun recipe for a flavorful ground beef is a great way to change it up. It's quick and easy to make - just like your usual ground beef tacos - but it tastes SO much better.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Tacos