If there was ever a day to treat your dad to a day of pampering, it's Father's Day. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not big into cooking unless it's super simple, like the dishes depicted in these easy Father's Days 2017 recipes that still taste great but won't result in a sink full of dirty plates and an entire day sacrificed in the kitchen.
I have a few rules for cooking: Make it easy, make it quick, and use as few pans as possible. Luckily there are tons of recipes that taste like you put hours of time into them, but actually take no time at all. (Don't worry, it will be our little secret.) If you're really dramatic you can even recreate the Rice Krispies Treats commercial from the 1980s where the woman pretends to be toiling for hours over the super-fast snack food while she's actually reading a novel. Right before she unveils the treats she throws some flour on her face for good measure so no one will be the wiser.
If you're behind on one of the shows du jour, just tell your family and friends you're whipping up an uber-complicated dish for Dad, shut yourself in the kitchen with your iPad and earbuds, and catch up while spending a few minutes preparing an easy crowd pleaser, and the rest of the time marathoning your favorite show (Orange Is The New Black is premiering soon, for what it's worth!).
Sound like a plan? Here are some easy Father's Day recipes you can whip up on the fly.
1. One Pot Nacho Beef Skillet
This decadent beef nacho dish of cheesy goodness from Damn Delicious only takes 30 minutes, and you can make it with just one pan. Your dad's favorite veggies, cheese, tortilla chips, and some spices are all you need to cook up this tasty dish.
2. One-Skillet Coffee Rubbed Steak With Bacon & Spring Vegetables
If you really want to treat Dad to a special meal this Father's Day, and you still only want to use one pan, this is the meal to make. While this steak and veggie dish from Climbing Grier Mountain looks super fancy, all you need to make it is flank steak, coffee, olive oil, and some spices. And, this one only takes 20 minutes.
3. Cuban Mojo Grilled Pork Chops
If you like to think ahead, go for these Cuban Mojo Grilled Pork Chop from Closet Cooking. While these bad boys only take 20 minutes to cook, you need to marinate them for eight hours so you'll want to start the night before. The best thing here is that most of the work can be done while you're asleep. When you wake up, just finish off the dish, and pop in the fridge until you're ready to give your dad his delicious dinner.
4. Chicken Fajita Skewers
Presentation is paramount in making an easy meal look like it took you forever. These chicken fajita skewers from Simply Delicious look so amazing your dad won't be able to resist them. You can assemble these ahead of time, and cook them when you're ready to eat. Serve over warm tortillas with a lime garnish, and voilà!
5. One Pan Salmon And Asparagus with Garlic Herb Butter
This mouthwatering salmon from Natasha's Kitchen is another one-pan winner. If your dad is into seafood, consider this easy dish of fish and veggies that you can prepare and cook in just 25 minutes. All you need is salmon, asparagus, herbs and spices, and butter to craft a delicious dish Dad will rave about.
6. Thai Chicken Burgers With Quick Pickled Carrots
This new twist on an old favorite — burgers — from Steamy Kitchen is easy, tasty, and sure to please. Make this Asian-inspired burger alternative in 30 minutes by taking a few shortcuts with pre-cut veggies, sriracha mayo (made by mixing mayo with a squirt of sriracha), and ground chicken. These burgers are as easy to make as they are delicious to eat. Continue Dad's grilling tradition by surprising him with this backyard-barbecue-inspired dish.
7. One-Pot Cheesy Vegetarian Chili Mac 'n Cheese
If you dad is a vegetarian, this one-pot wonder from the Comfort of Cooking will be one of his new favorites. A mix of chili, and mac 'n cheese, fresh veggies, citrus, and spices is a cornucopia for the taste buds, and guess what? It only takes 30 minutes.
8. Oven Braised Beer Brats
If you want to stick with backyard-barbecue tradition, consider these oven-braised beer brats from Simply Scratch. If you don't have a grill, the good news is that these brats can be made in the oven. Fill a pan with onions, garlic, olive oil, and beer and pop it in the oven. In just 30 minutes you'll have the best brats Dad has ever tasted.
9. Chorizo Spinach Egg Scramble
Having Dad over for breakfast? This creative chorizo spinach egg scramble from Good Life Eats will satisfy Dad's hearty Father's Day appetite. This is another quick, one-pot meal you can make with eggs, sausage, and some herbs and spices.
10. Hot Hoagies
Who doesn't love a hoagie? You can make these hot hoagies from Mel's Kitchen with pre-cooked chicken, french bread, Dad's favorite cheese, onions, and some simple spices. If really don't have any time, and hate to cook, this is a really easy meal you can throw together in minutes. And, Dad will never know how easy it was.
11. Sloppy Joe Zucchini Boats
Dad will love this mix of healthy and hearty with these sloppy joe zucchini boats from What's Cooking Love. Guess what, my friendlies? This is another one-pan classic. All you need is zucchini, your meat of choice, sloppy-joe mix, cheese, and an oven to bake it all to perfection.
12. Mushroom Tacos
Throw a twist into Dad's taco routine with these mushroom tacos from Wild Greens and Sardines. This recipe calls for homemade tortillas, but you don't have to do that if you don't want to. Get some pre-made tortillas, and the rest of the recipe is easy peasy. Class up this casual dish with feta cheese, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms instead of meat, and then throw in traditional taco staples.
Whatever you choose to make for Dad this Father's Day, he'll appreciate the effort.
