What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND INDIE BESTSELLER

RECIPES FOR BUSY PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOOD FOOD

With three little boys less than two years apart and a packed schedule as an online creator, Caroline Chambers often doesn’t feel like cooking. Can you relate? When you just can’t motivate yourself in the kitchen, this is the simple cookbook you should reach for.

Inspired by Caro’s wildly popular Substack newsletter of the same name, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is brimming with efficient recipes that take the guesswork out of dinner--in fact, each one is a complete meal: protein, veg, starch, done! The recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, so whether you have 15 minutes to throw together Peanutty Pork and Brussels or a little bit longer to simmer Turkey Bolognese with Sneaky Veggies, dinnertime is totally doable. On top of that, Caro gives you more ways to choose, so you can search by protein (Chicken thighs waiting in the fridge? Make White Chicken Chili. Nothing but beans in the pantry? Cannellini Caprese with Burrata is it!) or mood (Tomato Farrotto is perfect for a cozy craving, and Crunchy Honey Harissa Fish Tacos are an excellent way to show off). Most importantly, these recipes include Caro’s famously extensive swaps, riffs, tips, shortcuts, and more to be sure they work best for you, helping you save money, improvise, and even learn a thing or two. They don’t compromise quality or flavor--and they deliver every time. With as few ingredients, steps, and, of course, dirty dishes as possible, dinner awaits!

Perfect for beginners and those seeking easy cookbooks for simple meals, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is the ultimate ＂I don’t want to cook＂ cookbook. With its focus on efficient, flavorful recipes and minimal ingredients, this easy dinner cookbook appeals to time-constrained parents, working professionals, and anyone who craves delicious homemade meals without the fuss. Readers seeking uncomplicated cookbooks for beginners will appreciate Caroline Chambers’ approachable style, clever shortcuts, and flexible recipe options, making this book a go-to resource for satisfying meals on even the most exhausting days.

Caroline Chambers grew up in the kitchen on her mom’s hip, learning how to cook in their Winston-Salem, North Carolina, home. Her professional food career began in her early twenties when she worked as a chef and caterer. After a stint in a professional test kitchen, Caro struck out on her own as a freelancer, developing recipes for a host of publications as well as brands such as Boursin Cheese and Kim Crawford Wine, and in 2018, she published her first cookbook, Just Married. In 2020--at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic--Caro began sharing her recipes and connecting with home cooks on Instagram (@carochambers), and launched her newsletter, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking, which flew to the top of the Substack charts; her podcast, So Into That, followed in 2023. Caro lives in Carmel Valley, California, with her husband, George, and their three young sons, Mattis, Calum, and Cashel--one of whom can almost always be found in the kitchen on her hip. When she doesn’t feel like cooking, Caro’s go-to meal is Veggie Peanut Noods (page 52).