Sick days are meant for sleep, rest, and of course comforting food. While eating healthy and nourishing meals while you’re sick is an important part of feeling better, cooking can sometimes feel like a daunting task. That’s where these dinners come in. With 30 minutes or less of active time required, these tasty soups, stews, casseroles and skillet dinners are the easy but comforting meals your body needs. So next time you’re feeling under the weather, try our High-Protein Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup or our Easy White Bean Skillet for a dish that you’ll come back to again and again.
High-Protein Butternut Squash & Lentil Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
This hearty, plant-based soup is packed with protein from lentils and gets cozy flavors from warming spices like cinnamon, cumin and coriander. A swirl of tangy Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley finish each bowl with brightness and creaminess. Serve with lemon wedges for an extra pop of flavor.
Black-Eyed Peas
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon GoforthProp Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Nothing says comfort like a pot of slow-simmered Southern-style black-eyed peas. Here, a ham hock works its magic, melting into the broth to give it that signature smoky richness and velvety body. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, turning simple ingredients into a pot of creamy, flavorful beans that taste like they’ve been tended all day.
Chickpea Noodle Soup
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelesa Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
This cozy noodle soup is the kind of simple meal that’s worth keeping in your weeknight rotation. It starts with an aromatic base of carrots, celery and onion simmered in vegetable broth and gets heartiness plus fiber and some plant-based protein from chickpeas and whole-wheat rotini. Light yet satisfying, this chickpea noodle soup is perfect for cold evenings, easy lunches or anytime you need a bowl of comfort.
Black Bean Fajita Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
This one-pan Black Bean Fajita Casserole is an easy weeknight dinner idea. Strips of corn tortillas soak up the saucy goodness, turning tender as they bake under a sprinkle of cotija cheese. Top it with creamy avocado, a dollop of sour cream and some fresh cilantro for a colorful, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in under an hour.
Easy White Bean Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
This easy white bean skillet brings together pantry staples and fresh greens for a comforting plant-based meal. Sweet onion, tomatoes and garlic form a rich, savory base for creamy white beans. A handful of spinach adds freshness and color, and a sprinkle of Parmesan ties everything together with salty richness. Served alongside toasted whole-wheat baguette slices for dipping, it’s a fast, satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a simple weekend supper.
Lemon-Turmeric Cabbage & White Bean Soup
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This cozy soup turns humble ingredients into a bowl of golden comfort. Tender cabbage and creamy cannellini beans simmer together with aromatic spices for warmth and depth, while a splash of lemon juice at the end brightens every spoonful. It’s light yet satisfying, full of fiber and antioxidants, and easy enough for a weeknight.
Chickpea Casserole with Spinach & Feta
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This Chickpea Casserole is a cozy, one-pan meal that’s both hearty and wholesome. Tender spinach, nutty chickpeas and brown rice are bound together with a touch of cream cheese and finished with tangy feta. Fresh dill, nutmeg and lemon juice brighten the flavors, while a hint of red pepper adds gentle heat. Baked until bubbling and topped with lemon zest, it’s a dish that feels comforting yet vibrant.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Kale Pasta Bake
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This pasta bake is a cozy, flavor-packed dish that turns simple ingredients into a satisfying meal. Whole-wheat rotini and tender kale are tossed in a creamy, lightly spiced sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, then baked to bubbly perfection with a sprinkle of mozzarella on top. It’s a nutritious, family-friendly dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.
Marry Me White Bean Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.
This Marry Me White Bean Soup borrows inspiration from the beloved Marry Me Chicken recipe with a combination of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream and Parmesan. Here, those same flavors are transformed into a hearty, soul-warming vegetarian soup with white beans taking center stage. Finished with basil and extra cheese, it’s cozy, crowd-pleasing and sure to win hearts at the table.
One-Pan Chicken Florentine
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth.
Classic chicken Florentine—creamy spinach served alongside sautéed chicken—is a fast and easy meal. This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the cream instead of cheese. This chicken recipe is simple enough for weekdays but also elegant enough for a dinner party.
Broccoli-Cheddar Butter Beans
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
These broccoli-Cheddar butter beans are a cozy dish that will remind you of broccoli-Cheddar soup, but in a convenient skillet. Tender butter beans add creaminess and plant-based protein, making the dish filling enough for a main course. Broccoli florets bring color, while sharp Cheddar cheese melts in for that classic flavor. Everything comes together in one pan, creating a thick texture that’s perfect for scooping up with crusty bread.
Guingambó Stew (Okra Stew)
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen, Prop Stylist: Natalie Ghazali, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth
This okra stew is a Puerto Rican dish that showcases tender okra simmered in Spanish-style tomato sauce, onions, peppers, garlic and spices. The slow cooking allows the okra to release its natural thickening power, creating a silky, flavorful sauce that’s served over a bed of fluffy white rice, which soaks up the rich broth in every bite.
Mini Meatloaves & Veggies
Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
This Mini Meatloaves & Veggies recipe is an easy, all-in-one sheet-pan dinner that will keep your weeknight simple. The mini meatloaves, made with either meatloaf mix or lean ground beef, cook alongside tender carrots and zucchini for a balanced meal with minimal cleanup. It’s a no-fuss dinner that serves two.
Fall Vegetable Stew
Food: Sammy Mila, Photos: Jason Donnelly, Props: Breanna Ghazali.
Simmered with warm spices and a savory broth, the vegetables in this stew become tender and absorb the flavors of the broth. It’s delicious served with warm naan on the side for dipping .
Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This sweet potato–chicken enchilada skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chunks of sweet potato and shredded chicken combine with store-bought enchilada sauce for a flavorful shortcut. Corn tortilla wedges are stirred in, soaking up the sauce and giving the dish a comforting, casserole-like texture.
Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes
Ali Redmond
This Pesto Pasta with Peas & Tomatoes is a bright, flavorful dish that comes together quickly. Pasta is cooked alongside frozen sweet peas, then tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and basil pesto for a fresh, herbaceous finish. You can serve it warm or chilled, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks or picnics. A sprinkle of Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon add the perfect final touch.
Unstuffed Zucchini Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This hearty dinner takes all the flavors of classic stuffed zucchini and turns them into an easy casserole. Instead of hollowing and stuffing each zucchini, everything is layered in one dish for a quicker, no-fuss dinner. A sprinkle of shredded cheese on top melts into a bubbly, golden layer that ties it all together. This cozy casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner.
20-Minute Black Bean Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This easy black bean soup takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Canned black beans help speed things up, and taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes help build rich, savory flavor in just minutes. Cream cheese melted in at the end gives this soup a silky texture. Pair it with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a simple, comforting meal.
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