10 Easy Weeknight Meals To Make When You’ve Had A Long Day

You might think of just skipping a meal at the end of the day in favor of some well-deserved rest. But don't hop in bed too fast because you have plenty of options for easy and quick meals to make after a long day. Here are 10 easy weeknight meals for when you've had a long day but still need to eat.

You had two exams, there was a major presentation due at the office, you’re tired, and, worst of all, very hungry. You might think of just skipping a meal at the end of the day in favor of some well-deserved rest. But don’t hop in bed too fast because you have plenty of options for easy and quick meals to make after drudging through a very, very long day. Here are 10 easy weeknight meals for when you’ve had a long day but still need to eat.

1. Spaghetti and meatballs

Most of us have that half-empty box of spaghetti in the pantry that we never know when we’re going to use again. This is your opportunity. Spaghetti is super simple to make, you just throw it in a pot of boiling water and let it do its thing! Meatballs are a delicious and easy addition, too! Just throw them in a pan with some sauce and let it simmer, hardly any stove-watching required!

2. Crock-pot burgers and hot dogs

For a literal no-hassle meal, take your frozen or fresh hot dogs and burgers and put them in a crock-pot to cook for a few hours. To spice it up, you can pour your favorite sauce into the crock-pot and it’ll end up creating a juicy glaze all on its own (I recommend some sweet BBQ sauce)!

3. Meatloaf

Ground beef, check. Seasonings, check. Eggs, check. Mix them all together with your hands (a fun and therapeutic exercise). Then, just leave it in the oven until it’s cooked through! Simple as that.

4. Simple tacos

The only real cooking required here is browning the beef. After that, all you have to do is assemble your own food. Stuff it chock full of lettuce, sour cream, cheese, hot sauce, whatever you like! No matter what you do, there’s no denying the ease of this Mexican favorite.

5. Sub sandwiches

Literally just piling meat, cheese, and maybe some veggies between two buns. I don’t know how much easier it could get! If you feel a little fancy you could throw the buns in the oven (no pun intended) for a few minutes to get them nice and toasty!

6. Grilled cheese

Everyone’s childhood favorite. You can make at least 4 of these bad boys in under ten minutes. Put some seasoning salt on them for an extra kick!

7. ALL breakfast foods

Most all breakfast foods are super simple to make. Pancakes, heck yes (throw some fruit on the side to convince yourself its healthy). Bacon, toss it in the oven on convection for a few minutes! Eggs, scrambled, please! But best of all, use this as an excuse to eat your favorite cereal ALL NIGHT LONG. No one will judge you, you’ve had a rough day. It doesn’t get much easier than cereal, after all! These easy weeknight meals will leave you satisfied.

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8. Pizza, always pizza

Pizza is just one of those dishes that’ll never let you down. Get it frozen and pop it in the oven, or get one of those adorable Chef Boyardee pizza-making kits from the supermarket. The choice is up to you!

9. Chicken noodle soup

You can never go wrong with this soul food. Take the time to boil and combine everything yourself, or heat up a family-sized can on the stove. Either way, it’s going to be delicious.

10. Cake in a mug

There has to be at least one dessert in here, you deserve it after the day you’ve had. Take one (or two, no one is watching) packet of mug cake mix, add a little water, and cook it in the microwave for about a minute and a half. There you have a delicious, warm cake ready to enjoy in almost no time!