23 Simple Cooking Recipes, Because Who Has Time for Complicated?
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Who has time to fuss over complicated recipes when you just want something delicious and easy? These recipes keep it simple without sacrificing flavor, making meal prep stress-free and giving you more time to enjoy. With straightforward steps and great results, they’ll remind you that cooking can be satisfying and manageable.
Apple Cinnamon Cake
This apple cinnamon cake is everything you love about fall, minus the kitchen stress. It’s moist, fluffy, and topped with a cinnamon crumble that’ll have you reaching for seconds. With straightforward steps, you’ll get a dessert that looks and tastes impressive without any hassle.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Cake
Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice
This Longhorn-inspired rice recipe is easy-peasy but loaded with flavor. With bell peppers, onions, and tender rice simmered in chicken broth, it’s the kind of dish that tastes like it took hours—but it didn’t! Perfect for those nights when you want big flavor with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Rice
Broccoli Rice Casserole
A cheesy, comforting casserole that’s ready in 45 minutes? Yes, please! This broccoli rice casserole combines tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese in a dish so simple and satisfying, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner. Easy to prep and even easier to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole
Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Want to impress without the stress? This stuffed chicken has a rich, cheesy filling and a golden-baked finish that’s way simpler than it looks. It’s the perfect dish to serve when you want restaurant vibes at home without needing chef-level skills.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken
Cinnamon Rolls
These homemade cinnamon rolls are so easy you’ll wonder why you ever bought them pre-made. Soft, gooey, and ready in under 20 minutes, they’re a no-fuss way to enjoy a bakery favorite at home. Perfect for when you want a sweet treat without the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls
Sweet Potato Fries
Forget complicated frying techniques—these air fryer sweet potato fries are as simple as tossing, seasoning, and cooking. They’re golden, crispy, and guilt-free, making them a perfect snack when you’re craving fries without the fuss. Who knew fries could be this easy?
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins
These pumpkin cream cheese muffins are a fall favorite with almost zero effort. You get buttery, pumpkin-spiced muffins with a velvety cream cheese center, all in a recipe that’s easy on your time and wallet. Skip the coffee shop lines and whip up these beauties at home.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Muffins
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Make-ahead mashed potatoes are here to save you from last-minute cooking chaos. Creamy, buttery, and easy to prep days ahead, they give you all the flavor without the rush. Bake them fresh when you’re ready, and enjoy more time with family and friends instead of in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
These pumpkin pecan waffles are simple to make but feel like a special treat. Spiced with pumpkin and topped with crunchy pecans, they’re a cozy breakfast that doesn’t require any extra effort. Whip these up, and you’ll feel like a breakfast pro—without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pecan Waffles
Outback Potato Soup
This creamy Outback-style potato soup delivers all the flavors you love in just 15 minutes of prep. Loaded with tender potatoes, bacon, and cheddar, it’s a bowl of comfort without the complicated steps. When you want something cozy and easy, this soup has your back.
Get the Recipe: Outback Potato Soup
Copycat Jimmy John’s Bread
This copycat bread recipe is a simple, soft-bread staple that anyone can make. With basic ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have fresh bread ready for sandwiches, subs, or just snacking. Homemade doesn’t have to be hard, and this bread proves it!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Jimmy John’s Bread
Easy Waffles
These no-milk waffles are light, fluffy, and delicious, using ingredients you probably already have. Dairy-free and simple, they’re perfect for anyone with dietary needs—or for when you forgot to buy milk. Easy breakfast that everyone will love? Check!
Get the Recipe: Easy Waffles
Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chocolate chip cookies skip the fancy ingredients and deliver pure, gooey goodness in just 20 minutes. Soft in the middle, golden at the edges, they’re everything you want in a cookie without a complicated recipe. Perfect for when you need a sweet treat fast.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix (IHOP Copycat)
These pumpkin pancakes bring all the cozy fall flavors to your kitchen with the ease of pancake mix. Just add a few spices and some pumpkin, and you’ve got a breakfast that’s special but oh-so-easy. No complicated steps, just delicious fall pancakes.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pancakes with Pancake Mix (IHOP Copycat)
Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders
These blackened chicken tenders bring big flavor with almost no prep. A quick seasoning mix, a little cooking, and you’ve got spicy, Cajun-inspired chicken that’s great for meal prep or dinner. You don’t need any fancy steps to make these taste amazing.
Get the Recipe: Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders
Copycat McDonald’s Pancakes
These pancakes are all about bringing McDonald’s breakfast vibes to your kitchen with hardly any effort. Fluffy, golden, and ready in a snap, they’re a breakfast that feels special but is secretly simple. Perfect for lazy mornings when you want something easy but satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Copycat McDonald’s Pancakes
Copycat Popeyes Spicy Mayonnaise
Add a kick to any meal with this spicy mayo that’s ready in minutes. It’s tangy, spicy, and everything you need to up your sandwich or fry game without fancy steps. Just mix and enjoy—it’s that easy!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Popeyes Spicy Mayonnaise
Blackened Ranch Sauce
This blackened ranch sauce takes just five minutes but tastes like it’s straight out of a restaurant. Use it as a dip, dressing, or spread for a smoky, spicy flavor boost that couldn’t be easier to whip up. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Ranch Sauce
Herb-Crusted Chicken
This herb-crusted chicken is packed with flavor but requires just a handful of dried herbs. It’s a simple way to serve a juicy, delicious meal that tastes fancy with almost no fuss. You’ll be serving up restaurant-quality chicken in no time.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Crusted Chicken
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Craving fries but want to keep it simple? These air fryer zucchini fries are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and a breeze to make. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a healthy snack that satisfies without a single complication.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Breakfast Sausage
Cooking breakfast sausage doesn’t have to be tricky—this recipe breaks it down so anyone can do it. Perfect for a hearty start to the day, these sausages are juicy, flavorful, and easy to cook. Who knew homemade sausage could be this simple?
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Sausage
Copycat McDonald’s Biscuit
These biscuits are light, fluffy, and simple enough to make in your sleep. Perfect for breakfast or any time you want a warm, comforting bite, they’re proof that good food doesn’t have to be hard. Try these, and you’ll never want to buy biscuits again.
Get the Recipe: Copycat McDonald’s Biscuit
Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
With tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar, this baked potato soup is the ultimate cozy meal that anyone can make. Skip the fancy steps and enjoy a bowl of comfort food that tastes just like Chili’s. Easy, hearty, and so satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
