Living with a chronic illness means facing unique, and often painful challenges every day, and often, cooking can feel like just one more thing on an already heavy to-do list. On days when energy is scarce, finding simple, nourishing meals can make all the difference. That’s why this collection of 16 quick recipes, each made with fresh and delicious ingredients, is here to lend a hand in a pinch! Plus, all of them can be made in under thirty minutes!
We’re sharing a roundup of the best dishes from across the web! These recipes are here to save time, reduce stress, and provide easy options to fuel your body without draining your energy. Let’s make mealtime manageable—and maybe even a little joyful. To view the full recipe, click the “View more” button link, which will take you to the blog where the full recipe is!
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
If you’re craving a Mexican-inspired meal, this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken from Get Inspired Everyday will hit the spot! It only uses four ingredients, and it is incredibly easy to put together in your Instant Pot! It takes around 20 minutes to whip up if you’re using fresh chicken! Plus, it stores wonderfully, so these are great for meal-prepping and sticking right in the freezer for future dinners!
Quick Ham & Cheese Sliders
To me, there is nothing like a tasty little sandwich to perk up my mood! These little sliders from Homemade Heather are just the perfect thing for a quick meal! Ham and creamy Swiss cheese create a delicious harmony on Hawaiian bread! They can be prepared and stored up to 24 hours ahead of baking!
4-Ingredient Orange Salmon
Treat yourself to a delicious fish dish, like this one from Will Cook For Smiles! Featuring ingredients you likely already have in your cupboard, this meal can be made in 30 minutes! Not only is this meal tasty, but it’s good for you, too! It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Consider cooking this up next time you need a quick, healthy meal!
3-Ingredient Protein Waffles
Can’t forget about breakfast! Created with just three ingredients, these waffles from Haute & Healthy Living are super-tasty and good for you, to boot. All you have to do is grab your blender and toss in the ingredients, and mix it up! You can, of course, add any mix-ins or toppings that you wish to them!
Walking Tacos
If you need a super-quick meal, use this Walking Tacos recipe by Stoked To Camp! It’s just like a regular taco, but in a bag! The only real prep is cooking the meat, and then the fun part is adding your favorite toppings! Grab a fork and voila! Inexpensive and tasty meal!
Lazy Lasagna
With a name like Lazy Lasagna, you know this is going to be good! This dish from Rose Bakes uses only four ingredients. This ravioli-based lasagna dish is ready to whip up in about one hour and uses frozen ravioli that are almost always readily available in your grocer’s frozen section! Plus, if you have leftovers, you can freeze it for another time!
3-Ingredient Almond Milk Mac and Cheese
This is a great dish for those of us with digestive issues. The Fruity Jem created this dish using just three simple ingredients so that you can throw together a tasty mac and cheese dish! It’s comfort food at its best, but so much better for nourishing our bodies!
Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts
You can have the taste of a backyard barbecue without all of the hassle of putting it together! With these Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts from Spend With Pennies, you can actually use any cut of chicken that you want or have on hand. With some store-made sauce, this makes it super quick. Toss in the oven, and soon you’ll have a tender and delicious meal! You can even freeze them for future dinners!
4-Ingredient Salsa Verde Enchilada Bake
Nothing beats some tasty Mexican food, and you, too, can whip up a mean enchilada bake! With this recipe from Chew Out Loud, you simply grab some shredded chicken, rice, and any verde sauce of your choice. You just lay that out all nice in layers, toss it in the oven for around 35 minutes, and you have yourself one delectable dish!
Viral Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Beef Bowl
Cottage cheese is absolutely having a moment right now, and no wonder, it’s super versatile, and it can easily integrate into any meal. Just like this Cottage Cheese Sweet Potato Bowl from Hanaa Box! In just 30 minutes, you can have this protein-packed meal featuring sweet potatoes, avocado, and hearty ground beef! Plus, you can mix anything else into your bowl, too, for tasty variations!
Meatball Parmigiana Sub
Sometimes a warm sandwich is just what the soul needs. This Meatball Parmigiana Sandwich from My Rad Kitchen is the remedy. These make such great meals, especially if you really don’t feel like cooking, but you know you have to eat. Mozzarella cheese and delicious meatballs come together beautifully for a tasty, quick bite!
Shredded Pesto Chicken
Another recipe coming to us from Haute and Healthy Living, this shredded pesto chicken makes lunch and dinners a breeze. Take your cuts of chicken and shred them up however you like them. Then, take a jar of your favorite pesto (unless you’ve got extra spoons and feel like making it yourself) and mix it up for some serious yum. This makes for a great meal-prep item, too!
Miso Butter Pasta
If you’re looking for a tasty pasta dish that won’t take you three hours to make, this Miso Butter Pasta from Earthly Provisions is just the right meal to stumble upon! With delicious ingredients like white miso and non-dairy butter, it’s creamy, decadent, and takes less than fifteen minutes to put together! It’s totally vegan, so it’s great for sensitive stomachs!
4-Ingredient Potato Soup
When the trees lose their leaves and the air starts to become crisper, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot soup! This 4-ingredient potato soup from Fun Family Meals comes together with potatoes, onions, broth, and milk for a super creamy delight of a dish that’s perfect for those chillier nights!
4-Ingredient Pea and Cream Cheese Pasta
Pasta and peas come together in a scrumptious and super-quick dinner! In just four to six minutes, you can throw this recipe from What To Have For Dinner Tonight together, and it is so good! It tastes wonderfully rich as it is, or you can always use Neufchâtel cheese instead for a lower-calorie option!
15-Minute Pesto with Tortellini
With just a few ingredients, you can create this scrumptious dish of Pesto and Tortellini by Carrots and Cookies! The best part is that everything can be ready in fifteen minutes, making it a super-quick and easy lunch or dinner! You can even jazz up the meal by adding other ingredients like pine nuts or toasted walnuts!
Whether you’re navigating a flare, a foggy brain day, or just trying to conserve precious energy, quick and easy recipes aren’t just convenient—they’re empowering. These meals are proof that nourishment doesn’t have to come with a side of overwhelm. So here’s to microwave magic, one-pan wonders, and snack plates that feel like self-care. May your kitchen be a place of comfort, not chaos—and may your spoons be saved for the moments that matter most!
Out of all these recipes, which one is your favorite?
Do you have any quick and easy recipes you’d like to share? Please email them to us using our Contact Us form!