13 Easy Low-Carb Meals That Save You When You’ve Got Zero Plan and Even Less Time

Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.

When meal time sneaks up on you and takeout is starting to look too tempting, these low-carb meals have your back. They’re simple, easy, and made with everyday ingredients, no weird stuff or extra steps. Whether you’re short on time, energy, or both, these are the go-to recipes that get you fed fast without messing up your goals.

Sheet Pan Chicken with Vegetables

When you’ve got no dinner plan and even less time, sheet pan chicken with vegetables is the move. Toss everything in one pan, no complicated steps, and let the oven handle the rest. In about 30 minutes, you’ve got juicy chicken, perfectly roasted veggies, and a balanced low-carb meal with zero stress, making it one of those reliable dinners that feels like a win every time.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken with Vegetables

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

No clue what to make? Cheeseburger pie is the answer. It’s full of flavor, uses ingredients you probably already have, and comes together with barely any effort. This low-carb dinner is cozy, cheesy, and ready before you even have time to regret skipping the meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Ground beef and cabbage stir fry is a quick, 20-minute low-carb meal that’s perfect for when you’re short on time but craving something filling. Packed with flavor and made in just one skillet, it’s as effortless as it is delicious. No meal prep, no fuss, just throw it all in the pan, and you’ve got a hearty dish that’s always a reliable go-to.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Pan Seared Chicken Breast

This pan-seared chicken breast brings big flavor with barely any effort and is perfect when your brain’s on autopilot. It crisps up beautifully in the pan, stays juicy inside, and only takes 15 minutes start to finish. There’s no prep or planning needed, it’s fast, low-carb, and honestly feels like more than a last-minute dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Chicken Breast

Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

You don’t need a recipe plan to make this Italian beef skillet work, just ground beef, cauliflower rice, and a few staples. Everything cooks in one pan, and it’s done in 30 minutes or less. The creamy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella bring serious comfort without the carbs, it’s filling, flavorful, and doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef and Cauliflower Rice Skillet

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

When you’ve got zero time to cook, slow cooker salsa chicken is your lifeline. Just dump a couple of ingredients in the pot, turn it on, and forget about it. By dinner, you’ve got juicy, flavorful chicken that works in tacos, salads, bowls, or on its own; it’s low-carb, ridiculously easy, and always comes through.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

This copycat Alice Springs Chicken tastes like a steakhouse dinner but takes way less time and effort. Smothered in mustard sauce, topped with mushrooms, bacon, and cheese, it hits every flavor note without a complicated prep list. It’s low-carb, filling, and surprisingly easy to whip up when you’ve got nothing planned.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Alice Springs Chicken

Parmesan Chicken Wings

Parmesan chicken wings are bold, crispy, and surprisingly easy to throw together without much thought. With a cheesy herb crust and a quick bake time, they hit that perfect mix of savory and delicious. They’re great for dinner, snacking, or game night and totally fit the low-carb bill, just season, bake, and dig in.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Chicken Wings

Blackened Pork Chops

These blackened pork chops are fast, flavorful, and made for the nights when your brain is fried but you still want a decent meal. They crisp up in minutes, stay juicy, and bring just the right amount of spice, pair with a simple salad or veggie, and call it a win. They’re low-carb, low-effort, and always delicious.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Pork Chops

Egg Casserole with Ground Beef

This egg and beef casserole is an easy, filling, and made with just a few ingredients, perfect for zero-plan dinners or breakfasts. It’s low-carb, high-protein, and easy to customize if you’ve got extra things to throw in; just mix, bake, and eat. It’s the kind of meal that keeps your fridge clear and your stomach happy.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole with Ground Beef

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken cordon bleu sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy when you’re short on time and still want something solid. Ham and cheese tucked inside a tender chicken breast, baked with a creamy sauce, it’s low-carb comfort food that tastes like a special meal without needing much prep. A great option when you’ve got no plan but still want something put together.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

For those no-plan nights when only comfort food will do, this chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole comes through. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with protein and fiber, making it both hearty and healthy. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s the kind of low-carb meal that feels like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

Ground Beef Stir Fry

This ground beef stir fry is a one-pan lifesaver when you’re out of ideas and short on time. It’s easy, low-carb, and tastes like your favorite takeout but with better ingredients and less mess. Just brown the beef, toss in the veggies, and dinner’s done in under 30, making it the ultimate no-plan meal with big flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stir Fry