50 Things to Eat for Dinner When You Lack Inspiration or Don’t Feel Like Cooking

It is a newsflash to no one that I have been in a cooking rut recently. It’s been reassuring to know that I am not alone and that so many others are majorly lacking in cooking mojo right now.

There was a night a few weeks ago where I was not only absent of inspiration and the motivation to cook but also any idea of what I was in the mood to eat. I turned to Instagram and asked in a question box on my story, “what do you eat on nights when nothing sounds good + you don’t feel like cooking.”

The answers were spectacular and left me craving everything from popcorn to nachos to cheese/snack plates. I thought that it would be helpful if I shared the list here because there are over 50 ideas for easy things to eat when you are ambivalent about food/cooking. I bet you can’t read through this list without striking a craving for something!

(One can never go wrong with frozen pizza, ice cream and wine.)

WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER WHEN YOU LACK INSPIRATION OR DON’T FEEL LIKE EATING

1. Homemade queso + chips.
2. Popcorn. (Very popular answer and inspired me to buy popcorn kernels at the grocery the next time I went.)
3. Eggs on or with toast.
4. Omelet - very accommodating to whatever you might have in the fridge!
5. Grilled cheese and soup. Add bacon to up the delicious factor.
6. Cereal. (recommended…several bowls!)
7. One skillet meals like rice, chicken and veggies.
8. Pesto pasta.
9. Snack plate. Example: cheese, smashed avocado, hummus, crackers. (And don’t forget the wine.)
10. Empty the fridge salad.
11. Green smoothie.
12. Ice cream and go to bed.
13. Tuna melt.
14. Annie’s Mac…straight up or if you’re feeling ambitious add peas and tuna.
15. Avocado toast. (Might I recommend the most addictive avocado toast ever?)
16. Breakfast for dinner.
17. Frozen Indian food from Trader Joe’s. (Solid. Especially served over rice.)
18. Trader Joe’s Chicken Fried Rice with almond butter drizzled on top. (Interesting and not averse to trying this!)
19. Noodles with olive oil, salt and pepper. (Can swap butter for olive oil here, and maybe add cheese.)
20. Homemade Egg McMuffin or any kind of egg sandwich creation.
21. Nachos. (Going on my menu plan as fast ASA-freaking-P!)
22. Rice bowls with ground beef. Top with avocado and whatever random toppings that you can find in your fridge.
23. Scrambled eggs in a tortilla. (Maybe turn this into a breakfast burrito or scrambled egg and black bean quesadilla.)
24. ALL HAIL FROZEN PIZZA! If you’re really feeling fancy…add a side salad. Bonus points if you dip the pizza in ranch.
25. Frozen vegetable fried rice from Trader Joe’s with soy sauce and over easy eggs. (Trader Joe’s coming in strong here with the frozen convenience foods!)
26. A veggie burger patty. Optional to add some an egg. Serve with fruit.
27. Crusty bread and good cheese. Have some crudités on the side to help you feel like you’re eating some veggies.
28. Eggs poached in green chili. (Gonna need more details about this one please!)
29. Freezer black bean burger on English muffin with avocado and chipotle mayo.
30. Frozen chicken nuggets.
31. Pancakes.
32. Panini sandwich creation.
33. Chips, cheese, bell peppers + hummus and wine.
34. Yogurt + fruit parfait.
35. Next level scrambled eggs: scrambled eggs with cheese, greens and crispy chickpeas and topped with balsamic drizzle.
36. Thaw homemade soup.
37. Hummus and pita.
38. Apples with peanut butter and chocolate chips.
39. Alexia brand tater tos.
40. Quesadilla.
41. Oatmeal.
42. Grits bowl with toppings.
43. Melted cheese on toast with greens or sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers on top.
44. Canned soup.
45. Chips and salsa.
46. Chicken fingers tossed in buffalo sauce on a salad with lots of ranch. (Mmmhmmm)
47. Pimento cheese sandwiches.
48. Grain bowls. (FOR LIFE!)
49. Frozen veggies thrown in a pan with fried eggs.
50. Frozen veggie noodles + whatever sauce or toppings you might have on hand.

See more : Gamer Supps Caffeine Content

I’ll leave you with this: never underestimate the yum- and comfort-factor of a grain bowl with a runny egg. Also, never forget that takeout or delivery is an excellent option.

QUESTIONS

Your turn! What do you eat when you are lacking inspiration, don’t feel like cooking and/or don’t have much of an appetite?

What meal on this list speaks to you?

Nigel Gildon

Nigel Gildon editor:Nigel Gildon is the editor of Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou: Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years and has a passion for helping new authors get their work into the hands of readers. 63 Liberty Street * Springfield, MA 01003