Long day? Hungry? Same. Cooking on weeknights is basically a speedrun of “Chopped,” but you’re the only contestant and the secret ingredient is exhaustion. Good news: I’ve got some hacks. Bad news: None of them involve a personal chef.

1. Meal Prepping—But Make It Lazy

I know, I know. “Meal prep” sounds like something fitness influencers preach before making a sad-looking chicken-and-broccoli combo. But hear me out: just chop stuff ahead of time. Dice some onions while watching Netflix. Marinate chicken before bed. Cook a giant pot of rice on Sunday and feel like a genius all week. Future-you will high-five past-you.

2. One-Pan, One-Pot, One-Mess

Less mess = less stress. Toss everything on a baking sheet and roast it. Throw ingredients into one big pot and pretend it was intentional. Stir-fries? Basically magic. Minimal dishes, maximum flavor.

3. The “Oh Crap, What’s In My Pantry?” Method

Keep your kitchen stocked with the basics: canned beans, pasta, rice, some decent spices, and, if you’re fancy, a jar of sundried tomatoes (why are those always so expensive?). When all else fails, turn whatever’s left into a taco. Or pasta. Or a very questionable soup.

4. Frozen & Pre-Cut: The Secret MVPs

Want to know a secret? Frozen veggies are just as good as fresh ones. And pre-cut anything? Life-changing. No shame in grabbing that bag of shredded carrots or pre-diced onions. We’re not running a cooking show; we’re just trying to eat before 9 p.m.

5. Batch Cook Like a Pro

Make extra food. Eat some now, freeze the rest for later. Boom. Future-you is now winning at life. (Unless you forget about it in the back of the freezer. RIP, mystery chili from 2021.)

6. Cook Faster With Cheat Codes

High heat = quick cooking. Stir-frying? Five minutes. Searing chicken? Eight minutes. Instant Pot? Basically witchcraft. Also, don’t be afraid of shortcuts—microwave your potatoes before roasting them. Life is too short to wait an hour for crispy spuds.

7. Let Gadgets Do the Work

Air fryer? A miracle. Slow cooker? Your best friend. Food processor? A wizard. If a machine can do it faster than your hands, let it. (Unless it’s one of those banana slicers. Come on, just use a knife.)

8. Leftovers? Rebrand Them

Last night’s roast chicken? Now it’s tacos. Random fridge veggies? Stir-fry. Cold pasta? Boom, pasta salad. Give leftovers a new identity and pretend you planned it that way.

9. Flavor Without the Fuss

Salt, pepper, lemon, garlic. That’s all you really need. Want to feel fancy? Add smoked paprika and pretend you’re a pro. When in doubt, just throw in soy sauce or balsamic vinegar. It works 98% of the time.

10. Lower Your Expectations

Not every meal has to be a masterpiece. Some nights, a grilled cheese and tomato soup (from a can, obviously) is a five-star experience. The goal is food, not a Michelin star.

Anyway, that’s the game plan. Cook smart, eat fast, and leave the fancy plating for the restaurants. Now, go forth and conquer dinner—with minimal effort.