Lazy Meals: Cheapest, Fastest Meals You Can Prepare

Have you ever come home after a long day, wanting nothing more than to relax and watch your favorite show—but ordering takeout isn't the best financial choice? Everyone's been there. These quick and budget-friendly recipes are perfect for nights like those.

The goal of a lazy meal is to enjoy a delicious dinner every night without spending hours in the kitchen or wasting food. These recipes minimize ingredients, reduce leftovers, and help your wallet and your sanity.

Shakshuka Eggs with Goat Cheese

• Onions
• 3 cloves of garlic
• ½ tsp red chili flakes or 1 whole red chili
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Spicy crushed tomato purée
• 5-6 eggs
• Thyme
• 4 oz goat cheese (or feta)
• ¼ cup parsley
• Olive oil

Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, and cumin; sauté for a few minutes. Add tomatoes, season, and cook until a light sauce forms (about 10 minutes). Make indentations in the sauce and crack eggs directly into them. Cover and cook until whites set but yolks remain runny (8-10 minutes). Top with goat cheese and parsley. Serve with toast or grilled pita.

Onion Soup

A comforting bowl perfect for cozy evenings—simple, rich, and best served with garlic bread.

• 2 cups sliced onions
• ¼ cup flour
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Caramelize onions in oil, then stir in flour. Gradually add stock, season, and simmer until thickened. Serve hot.

Sweet and Spicy Salmon

Perfect balance of heat and sweetness, this baked salmon recipe feels indulgent but takes under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp chili oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp lime juice

For the Sauce

• 1 cup sherry wine or vinegar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp honey or agave
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup soy sauce
• Dried chili peppers

Bake seasoned salmon at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté garlic in chili oil, add sauce ingredients, and simmer until thickened. Pour sauce over salmon and serve.

Parsley Garlic Shrimp

Fast, flavorful, and versatile—great alone or tossed with pasta.

• 12 large shrimp
• 4 cloves garlic
• ½ sweet pepper
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup white wine
• Parsley, lemon, salt & pepper

Sear shrimp briefly, then sauté garlic and pepper in butter. Add lemon, wine, and cream; reduce until thickened. Return shrimp, toss, and serve over rice.

Honey Lime Chicken Chipotle Tacos

• 2-3 lbs chicken breast
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic
• ½ cup lime juice + zest
• 2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup cilantro
• Corn tortillas or pita bread

Mix all marinade ingredients and coat chicken. Let sit for 30–45 min. Cook chicken in a skillet until golden and cooked through. Slice and serve in tortillas with fresh lime and cilantro.

Caprese Grilled Chicken with Spinach & Cheese

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 cups baby spinach
• ¼ cup sundried tomatoes
• 8 oz mozzarella
• 3 garlic cloves
• Basil, balsamic, olive oil

Cook chicken, then set aside. Sauté garlic, spinach, and tomatoes in the same pan. Add chicken back, top with mozzarella, cover to melt, drizzle balsamic, and serve.

Beef Chili Corn

• ½ lb ground beef
• 1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 cup celery
• 2 cans black beans
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• ½ cup corn

Brown beef with vegetables, add tomato paste and spices. Stir in beans and broth, simmer 10 minutes, add corn, and serve topped with cheese and scallions.

Healthy Snack Ideas

Fruit Salad

Mix lemon juice and honey, toss with chopped kiwi, strawberries, apples, and grapes. Chill and serve within 1-2 hours.

Tuna Salad Cucumber Bites

Combine tuna, mayo, red onions, salt, and pepper. Spoon onto cucumber slices for a light, high-protein snack.

Kale Chips

Toss kale in olive oil, vinegar, and spices. Bake at 275°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cool and store airtight.

Sweet Potato Fries

Toss julienned sweet potatoes in oil and spices, bake at 425°F for 30 minutes, turning halfway. For extra crispiness, broil for 10 more minutes.

Hummus Deviled Eggs

Replace traditional yolk filling with hummus, season with chili and paprika, and serve chilled for a lighter version.

What I Add to Most of My Dishes

As a Caribbean girl from Haiti, my secret is a homemade seasoning blend called Epis—similar to pesto, packed with herbs and aromatics that bring flavor to any dish.

• 1 large onion
• 10 sprigs parsley
• Sweet peppers (red & green)
• 3 heads garlic
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 scallions
• 6 sprigs thyme
• 2 habanero peppers
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt or bouillon cube

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Store in a sealed container in the fridge and use it to season meat, seafood, or vegetables. It's the secret to flavorful, effortless cooking.