What to make when you DON'T want to cook dinner. 🍔

[@abbypepper2461]

Your thumbnail pic is EPIC!

[@jessicamedina6896]

The face I literally make too 😂😭

[@crystalh1402]

Definitely the face I make along with a “uhhhhh” 😂

[@butterflyqueen9260]

That's how I feel.

[@veggielovinaccountant]

I literally ate a bowl of cereal for supper because I just can’t tonight. And I totally laughed at the beginning!!! 💗🤣🤣🤣

[@candycemonroe7345]

I love this and have cereal for dinner frequently.

[@jennyrieras431]

Same cereal is my dinner jam quite often 😅

[@karenohlson5509]

I'm going to use the "nobody needs a hero" card. Love that! Thanks Jen

[@Jen-Chapin]

Right?!

[@sillykitty1818]

I really love how down to earth and real you are. You are so honest and never seem like you’re trying to preach anything or fit into a certain category. You just cook and share great food but also stay realistic. Your videos make me feel normal. ❤

[@Jen-Chapin]

Thank you so much!!

[@moniquebutler8572]

sweet doggies - such cute faces

[@thewadsquad]

I’m so envious of your Warby, Parker’s sponsorship! I need to download that app to do a virtual Tryon! Excited to get some new frames 🎉🎉

[@amy1151]

Shortcut Meals: 1) breaded fish or shrimp in the air-fryer for fish or shrimp po’boys 2) pasta salad- great way to clean out the fridge. Cook any shape pasta. Dress while still warm with Italian, Greek or any vinaigrette-style dressing. Toss any veggies. Add leftover cooked meat or salami/pepperoni or even cut up deli meat. Feta cheese or fresh mozz is amazing but also great without cheese. 3) we also have a pan fried dumplings (ones from Costco) with sauce included and steamed rice. 4) canned biscuits, fried egg and bacon sandwich 5) Greek chicken pitas/naan- I usually buy 2-3 family packs of chicken breast and grill them on the weekend on the Blackstone. Once cooled, I portion in cooked chicken packets and throw in the freezer. It is easy to pull out a pack and make lots of things based on the flavoring: -cashew chicken -teriyaki chicken -bbq chicken -taco seasoned chicken -Greek chicken -orange chicken Possibilities are endless and really makes the not cooking dilemma a little more bearable since it will reheat in the sauce with little effort.

[@carole0302]

My “I’m not cooking supper tonight” meal is breakfast. I make homemade biscuits, bacon and fried eggs and it hits the spot every single time.

[@brendatate8986]

When I don’t want to cook-I have sloppy joes & fries, breakfast for dinner, or I put something in the crockpot. Quick, Easy and everyone is happy plus I saved money by not eating out! BTW- You always have the best looking glasses! 👓 Have a great week and thanks for the easy dinner ideas!

[@aliciakay4725]

Now that I am an empty nester, I like baked potato and salad nights, soup and salad nights, etc. Also, those Bare chicken patties at Costco makes amazing chicken sandwiches or cut it up on a salad. When the kids were younger i made sheet pan meals a lot. Easy and it didn't take long to cook. I loved my crockpot meals too.

[@frugaled5187]

My go to is usually a baked potato and top with whatever I can find 😅

[@MumandDadto10]

Brilliant ideas xx

[@thebalancedbiteregina]

Loving the thumbnail I easily do the processed fries in the bag and either chicken or hamburger patties once a week!

[@dianebondhus9355]

I love how coordinated you are when you chop food up, you are "my hero", lol. ❤ My family has contemplated taking my knives away, due to multiple cuts- but don't actually do it because they love my cooking. 🤣

[@karenquick8737]

Your meals turned out so yummy looking. Good ideas. Thanks!! My family will cook when I'm so tired and/or full of pain, with having Rheumatoid Arthritis. I'm thankful my husband likes to cook! Soup and sandwiches are great and BLT's. Love them!

[@brandiparis5411]

Best thumbnail pic EVER! I felt this video on so many levels. 😂

[@DianaTx361]

Everything you made looked great. Hope you have a good week Jen

[@toshafocht743]

We do 'Fancy' ramen with potstickers as a super easy meal. I usually have some sort of cooked meat in my freezer: smoked pork, beef brisket, rotisserie chicken, etc. We warm that up and add whatever veggies we have to the cooked ramen: green onions, spinach, even leftover veggies. Sometimes we use hardboiled eggs. 🤷‍♀️ Super easy and can definitely use up some of the leftovers. I do something similar with pasta, chicken, steamed frozen broccoli with a jar of Alfredo sauce or pesto sauce. So easy.

[@sonjagynn7936]

Breakfast for dinner is my go to when I don’t feel like cooking

[@jenniferkennedy1617]

And yes!!! The simple meals always go better over here too. I’m always like…”why did I just spend 2 hours of my life in the kitchen when they are happier with things that take like 20 min tops!?!”

[@Jen-Chapin]

So true!

[@KayeMac693]

I get real simple and do frozen pizza on those kinda nights.

[@doloreskrisky7710]

I like to make a quick tuna fish salad with onion, mayo & celery. Served with a salad of cottage cheese, some sour cream to thin it out, chives or green onion, iceburg lettuce, cucumber & radishes. Or a salad nicoise. For that I use Italian style tuns packed in olive oil, drained. Add steamed green beans, small boiled potatoes halved, kalamata olives. Vinaigrette dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, dijon, garlic, s&p. Serve chilled.

[@yangiemouie]

My go-to meal for lazy evenings is anything breakfast; scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, etc.

[@chiknlittle]

The thumbnail is an incredibly accurate depiction of my face everyday about dinner 😂

[@deedeescraftees]

Best thumbnail picture ever! I laugh every time I'm scrolling through YT.

[@alexzwerk]

I love will have to try buttermilk in my coleslaw next time. Yum! I’ve never thought of that before. I appreciate the quick meal ideas!

[@brandi1719]

I like to make turkey stuffing meatloaf. Kids love it. Take a pound of lean ground turkey, or ground chicken, in a bowl. Mix one egg and a package of instant stuffing mix with ground meat. I like cornbread stuffing. I also add a splash of milk. Put the mixture in a greased loaf pan, and place in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes. I drizzle the top with ketchup. So good. It's funny. I like stuffing mix in this, but at Thanksgiving I like homemade stuffing. 😂

[@daniellegratton8049]

I keep a bag of frozen General Tso chicken and some dumplings in my freezer for those kind of nights. Easy to make with some rice but also tasty. Great video!

[@pamjohnson2168]

I make French onion soup (good ol Campbell’s). Bake a take and bake baguette and slice the baguette and put in soup bowls and melt cheese on top in the oven for French onion soup. Then we usually will have tuna salad on the remaining baguette slices as our protein.

[@ItsLauraBoss]

Our go-to lazy meal is frozen taquitos with canned enchilada sauce and shredded cheese on top, heated through according to the taquito package heat & timing.

[@karengibbs7723]

My go to I’m not in the mood to cook meals is what we call CRV. I put 2 cups of uncooked rice in the instant pot, add the amount of water needed plus an extra cup with seasonings added, 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables, and 1 large can of chicken (with the broth. Put the lid on and 5 minutes later we have dinner. You can stuff into tortillas if you prefer. Vary the seasoning to your preference.

[@sharlenedegazon-legay9746]

You are too funny but real ! We all have those days.Love your channel Jen!❤❤❤

[@mary-lynnberti7081]

Your thumbnail made me burst out laughing! Perfect. Thanks for the ideas. We do grilled cheese and tomato soup or breakfast for dinner when I am just not feeling it. I also love having some frozen pizzas handy to pair with a salad. And, you are right....nobody critiques these sorts of meals as much as one you put tons of time into. It drives me crazy sometimes, but then I remind myself that I do love to cook and try to make different things to challange myself and can't expect everyone to like my crazy ideas all the time!

[@SuperTech59]

Your thumbnail (besides cracking me up) is my exact attitude lately when it comes to dinner 🤣🤣

[@Peppipainters5943]

My hubby found some meat on sale so I prepped homemade loose meat “white castles”, hamburger patties(tonight) and tomorrow we will have tacos. I love food prepping!! Nothing wrong with easy peasy. A mommas got to do what a mommas got to do. ❤

[@rhiahlMT]

You know what's really great? When your kids are older and they say "What's for dinner?" You answer "Whatever you are making."

[@kimmyers7583]

We make breakfast for dinner. We also make tomato soup with a toasted cheese sandwich. Also, popcorn has been used for dinner when we just can’t do it!

[@risasklutteredkitchen1293]

My supermarket sells 2 versions of Chinese dumplings in the Bistro area. I got 12 for $6. Chinese restaurants sell 8 for over $7. I browned them in a skillet and then steamed them for a few minutes. Served with the dipping sauce they give you to have with it. Delicious and quick dinner. My son doesn’t like dumplings so I got him a chicken bacon ranch flatbread. He loves them. If I do not feel like cooking I throw pasta in my instant pot and use Rao’s sauce. Some parmesan cheese and put some Italian bread on the side.

[@christinejones932]

I discovered the ravioli casserole (bake) a couple of weeks ago and I love it as a go to. The whole family loves it.

[@sugargritsco1416]

French dip sandwich - ciabatta rolls - roast beef deli slices - packet of au jus mix - provolone cheese Dinner is ready within 15 to 20 min

[@emmapatterson2533]

Tuna pasta bake, garlic bread and salad. Boom easy

[@cindyhinz2844]

Great meal ideas!!! I never think about BLT's ...that's another one to put into my meal ideas. When I'm doing my meal planning for the week, I always include one " lazy day" meal to whip up for those days when I don't feel like or have the energy to make a bigger meal. Great video!!!!

[@bethlewis9981]

My go to when there is nothing else to cook is to make almost any kind of sandwich and serve it topless (not me! the sandwich!) with cheese melted over it. Tuna or cold cuts or egg salad. Melt cheese over it under the broiler and call it dinner. Very kid friendly, too.

[@nikkikoz4720]

BLTs have to wait for my garden (I use turkey bacon in the air fryer it's awesome) tacos are my go to

[@jill9606]

I google search for one pot pasta meals when I don’t feel like cooking- or cleaning!

[@chrisfaus]

Aldi has a green bag of chicken that is parmesan crusted chicken and it is bomb! We use if we chicken parmesan, chicken alfredo and in wraps so delicious!😊

[@charlareidbodyandsoul]

Bwahahahahahahahaha 🤣🤣 I literally had to pause the video after the intro because I FEEL YOU!!! 🤣🤣 Thank you SO much for so many easy ideas for when I'm not "feeling like a hero". Hope you are having an awesome week!!! Love and hugs!! 💖💖

[@meghanmahood8344]

Hi Jen love those glasses! I usually like to cook chicken fingers and we make chicken Cesar salad with them everyone loves them and no one complains 😅

[@jerim4543]

When I don't feel like cooking, my go to is fish sticks and tater tots with a side of salad in a bag. Everyone carries on like Julia Child has come back to life and I wonder why I even bother the rest of the time. TBH the child in me loves it too. I DO make tartar sauce (mayo and pickle relish) and slice up some lemon wedges to justify my laziness. The "wine and cheese party" is another favorite. Cheese, salami, fruit and some crudite, nice bread and WINE. You don't even need to dirty plates!

[@denisecanada3785]

Great video. Like the sandwich part. Be safe.

[@charlenetorello1426]

I almost always make breakfast. Sometimes pancakes/waffles and a protein and some eggs. Or hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon or sausage.

[@robino941]

I love your dumpling bowls. =)

[@littlemissbekah9722]

We tend to get ground beef in bulk. Before I separate it into bags and freeze it I like to season some of it and form it into hamburger patties and meatballs, then freeze them raw. Usually takes only 20 minutes or so to prep them. Now I have frozen preseasoned beef to kickstart dinner.

[@toniabunnah1139]

Add some avocado to that BLT! Chefs kiss!

[@kristentregoning331]

Some of our “no cook” favorites are: a bag of frozen meatballs and a jar of bbq in the crockpot for 2 hours served on sub rolls with an easy side. Picking up a rotisserie chicken, a can of corn and a can of black beans and making southwest salads. Or splitting a can of soup and a bag of salad!

[@lisat.2783]

Spaghetti! I already have hot Italian turkey sausage cooked and in the freezer, Romaine cleaned and chopped in the fridge, our favorite marinara in the pantry and garlic bread in the freezer. Dinner is ready in minutes 😃

[@mattsouter2081]

Such nice tasty ideas!! Thanks for these

[@kathyclarke6327]

I pre cook my own bacon. Also fried egg sandwiches 🥰

[@Msptilli]

Jen you are the best! U come through with the ideas exactly when I need them. I love the nobody needs a hero line.❤

[@SolemSister87]

OMG Jen.. that smile of yours @ .15sec in... it sparkles! Love it! 💛💛

[@dixiecook2264]

Jen everything you make to eat is fabulous. Easy or not. You are inspiring with easy can-do meals. Can you swing by the Utah and make me something delicious for dinner LOL

[@meeganjae72]

Costco has great chicken parm in the freezer. They are delicious. 20 mins on 390 in the ninja air fryer. So good and stuffed with marinara and cheese. Also, nobody needs to be a hero. Just feed the family ❤

[@mes9766]

You should try bacon n peanut butter sandwiches. The first time we had them was at a booth during a taste of Colorado. They served on a white hotdog bun pb and bacon. The pb gets all melty and the soft white bun ...its so good.

[@punkinpie27]

On nights like these (and I have many!) I choose whatever has the quickest and easiest clean up. Scrambled eggs with toast and a side of fruit wins a lot!!

[@jacquemcarthur9783]

That look on your picture is exactly how I felt today! You're just REAL life♥️♥️♥️

[@livinlavidatita]

That thumbnail is HILARIOUS 😂 100% made me like the video before even watching it

[@nancyleitner6396]

Thank you for the baked ravioli dish. I just put one together for dinner. Can't wait to try it.😊

[@Katlife246]

Great video, LOVE the thumbnail!!! That face, exactly, more then I care to admit....taco soup is a 20 min put together when I use rotisserie chicken that I'll go to. Dump ingredients, cook for 20 mins and viola dinner and left overs to boot:)

[@leighdegenhardt485]

Loved the thumbnail!!! This has been me for the past week! So glad I had meals already made and frozen and or homemade soups frozen so all I had to do was thaw it all out and heat it up! Mental health is everything!!! We all deserve a night off or two or three or... Lol!

[@stephged67]

Often, I get more compliments on the simple meals too. I think we put too much pressure on ourselves sometimes.

[@crystalh1402]

Well I know what to make with the frozen raviolis that’s been giving me the side eye cause they’re getting old 😂

[@jenniferkennedy1617]

Love how you always keep it real, Jen! This is what I like so much about you! Thank you! 💕

[@BudgetYourWayWithAarynLynn]

I am totally team coleslaw or team potato salad especially if you get it from the deli! I know it cost a little bit more to purchase it already pre-done but when it’s time to save on sanity, sometimes you gotta pay a little price! Great video. This reminds me, I’m gonna pull out a pork Roast tomorrow throw it in my clock crockpot allow that to cook it for me add some barbecue sauce, and I think my kids are going to have homemade french fries and pulled barbecue pork for dinner tomorrow! We’re just gonna open a can of baked beans as a side, and go easy for dinner. Let the crockpot cook for me!

[@gildandnosh]

We had ziploc's of dried Cap'n Crunch. Nobody needs a hero!

[@rickyporter8939]

"I'm not a hero." Love it

[@kimwieczorek1879]

Mmm to salad, ravioli n rolls!

[@melaniemurphy1005]

Well dang, I've been eyeing those soup dumplings for months. Now I just have to. 😂

[@kellylothian681]

We call our go to I don't want to cook meal "guilty pleasure". It's a box of Mac & Cheese with a can of Hormel.turkey chili mixed in. Essentially chili mac If we are super hungry we might add some slices of hot dogs and a bit more cheese. Growing up my daughter actually thought that it was a real name of a recipe and told her teacher about it. Both hilarious and embarrassing!

[@annaduke167]

My go to meals are tacos and spaghetti but for nights i need something super quick we do pizza quesadillas or chicken patty sandwiches. What kind of bread are you using for the BLTs?? Its like a really yummy soft bread! I love to try all the different kinds. Nature own brand has a loaf of Hawaiian bread i want to n try!

[@maryleneruiz9456]

Yum. Soup dumplings.

[@stacyrussell460]

BLT's is always a good go-to for me on nights I just don't want to think about making what's on my meal plan 😂.

[@reginasatchellkelly271]

You do WAY more than me lol, but I don't have kids yet lol. When I don't feel like cooking, I'll make quesadillas or breakfast for dinner. French toast for 2 is really easy.

[@susanwitte350]

For me the easy dinners are those that require little to no prep (like wash and one cut) and no babysitting (very forgiving.) For example, season bone in skin on chicken thighs (or whole chicken) and put in oven. While cooking sit down or have a glass of wine. When the chicken is done pull out to rest and put some asparagus in the hot oven or airfryer (5-10 min). While that cooks wash some raw veg like cherry tomatoes and drizzle with balsamic syrup or throw some packaged rice in the microwave. Pull out some plates, etc. and its all ready at the same time. Use parchment for the chicken and asparagus and there’s less cleanup.

[@jennypecht9809]

One of my "not really cooking" meals is pasta with jarred sauce, random veggies thrown in, and frozen turkey meatballs. Another easy meal is sloppy joes made with ground turkey, bell pepper and BBQ sauce along with frozen sweet potato fries and steamed green beans. Thanks for sharing some of your quick dinners!

[@sheliapeters2082]

Yes we do simple alot 😊 and much not anyone complains lol and I bought some chicken noodle this week too. I think we all go thru those times lol

[@vernabryant2894]

Kroger has a good Cole slaw dressing

[@patriciastrempel750]

I make chicken tenders in the air fryer and a salad and fries it’s our go to easy meal that and BLT’s because I’m not a hero either !

[@karlinebohne789]

Just found your channel and love it! I actually worked with Warby Parker when the company was starting out of an eyeglass lab in Farmingdale New York. I set them up on their shipping and return process as I work for U P S. So exciting to see how successful they have become.

[@kristenrpeters]

I didn’t want to cook tonight so we had BLTs and store bought potato salad!!

[@nonafuller4844]

Quick and easy dinners! Is Kiera still eating Pescatarian?

[@rayselby3487]

Sue here: thumbnail cracks me up. 🤸

[@jenwren7976]

A shortcut I use is the bbq sauce and chicken breast/thighs in the crock pot - shred the chicken, put it in the bun and it’s perfect with fries and Cole slaw. My college student daughter asked for a crock pot just so she can make this dinner 😊

[@littlemissbekah9722]

Prebreaded protein (like chicken tenders, fish, chicken nuggets, etc) with some frozen fries and a bag of seasoned frozen broccoli. All on the same pan cooking in the oven. It ain't fancy but it feeds the troups on rough days 😅

[@jackiemaccaskill2111]

😂 great picture Happy first day of Spring ❤ Xo

[@BarefootFarm]

I love making the ravioli bake with meat sauce. It’s so easy and delicious!

[@buckeyethor]

Hot dogs with Mac n cheese or baked beans is a classic, chicken patty sandwiches, frozen nuggets and fries, manwich, burgers, and tacos. Good ol' regular Ramen too. My kids love that stuff! My husband is keto and I have extremely high triglycerides and borderline sugars so we can't eat like that. Luckily, my husband will eat a bowl of tuna or chicken salad if I don't cook something keto friendly.

[@kathysheeran6589]

You crack me up. Whispering - I’m going to use the processed food. As far as negative comments - must be bots/not real people. Shame you have to deal with that. You are awesome.

[@evem4876]

It's the weather a friend told me Lol...

[@valerieh8526]

I have the OXO gravy separator that dispenses the juices from the bottom instead of pouring through a spout. Game changer! 🤩

[@LauraRodriguez-Peace]

Thanks, Jen! ☮️