What to Eat When You’re Too Tired to Cook
Have you ever come home from a long day and just stood there, looking in the fridge, wondering what you are going to eat that night? I have a million times. But I have a solution for you. These are my favorite meals to cook when I’m too tired to cook.
As a chef, I always come home too tired to cook, mostly because I have been cooking all day. I’m sure you can relate to that feeling even if you don’t work in a kitchen all day. Maybe you just finished the busiest week ever, or work a 12 hour shift or your kids have been a pain all day long. All you want is a hot meal that everyone will be happy with and easy clean up.
Where to Start
The best way to is to make sure you have your pantry ready. I suggest keeping a few great pantry staples (like potatoes, onions, and canned tomatoes) on hand so you can whip up something nutritious and filling pretty quick. If you are looking to build your pantry, check out my other post here to help you get started.
My Favorite Go-To Recipes
Chicken Alfredo
A friend of mine introduced me to the easiest Alfredo sauce ever a few years ago, and it has become my favorite EVER! Just 5 ingredients for the sauce, 2 pots and a plate. Cook some pasta and chicken and you’re done. Check the full recipe out here.
Creamed Orzo with Leeks
I know this recipe sounds fancy, but trust me, its super easy and very tasty. Orzo is pasta that’s similar to the shape of rice. It’s creamy and the parmesan gives it a nice nutty flavor. You can eat it by itself (girl dinner ;) ) or this recipe would be amazing with some seared shrimp with it. Yum. You can get the full recipe here.
Rice Pilaf with Peas & Herbs with Chicken
This is most definitely my favorite way to eat rice. Pilaf is basically rice cooked first with onions and garlic before simmering. It adds such great flavor. The addition of peas and herbs adds a nice freshness. Simply served with seared chicken. BONUS TIP if you have a little extra time or actually think to prep ahead, this recipe would be amazing with chicken shawarma. The rice pilaf recipe is here.
Pasta Carbonara
So simple. So quick. Bacon. Eggs. Cheese. Pasta. Say no more. Get the recipe here.
Caesar Salad
Homemade caesar dressing is my favorite. And its simple to put together. You can keep it simple with just parmesan, dressing, and croutons. (Homemade are the best) Or you can add whatever veggies or protein you want. Get the recipe here.
These are my favorite recipes to make when I don’t know what to make or don’t want to cook. They are simple and require minimal cleanup. I hope you get the chance to try them out. You can get 2 of these recipes in a printable version for FREE by signing up for my email list below or I have a recipe guide with all these recipes and a complete grocery list right here (+ a fool proof bonus).
