Have you ever been so overwhelmed that loading the dishwasher seems like a phenomenal task? I am but a singular lady living in a studio apartment. Every day I marvel at the sheer amount of dishes I collect in a few short hours. Cups on my nightstand, plates on the TV tray (2 feet away from my nightstand), coffee and tea mugs on my kitchen island (3 feet away from the TV tray). And if I cook?! Oh, it’s all over. Somehow, I deploy every dish in my kitchen’s arsenal. The stovetop resembles the aftermath of a rugby game – and it rained.
For those living with roommates and/or families, I cannot imagine the magnitude of dishes collected daily. May your sinks ever be emptied and cleaned by an unknown source that is not you. May the benevolent blue Dawn make her Powerwash products to shine upon you. It’s rough out here! I will light a candle.
In the meantime, we still have to eat! It is wild that after you make a meal, you’re going to have to make another meal. Being indoors 1000% more made this fact impossible to understand – my brain refuses to absorb it. To make things easier on you and me, here are 5 recipes guaranteed to satisfy, but not add to the looming dish pile.

samantha campanini
I love them all!
Libby
I’m sitting here trying to figure out what food we’re gonna feed ourselves for the next week and was SO GRATEFUL to see this post. Because who’s gonna do these dishes!
Excellent roundup Abby!
Laurie
Family of five here and we frequently COOK three meals a day. So. Many. Dishes. Not unusual to run the dishwasher twice in a day. That dutch baby pancake is going to make my kids so happy.
Jen S
I read quickly and feel seen as I had a lively discussion with my partner about dishes etc. Ugh. And while I now see i the author’s name in the upper spot by the title, I was confused about the voice of this post originally. Hello Abby and lovely to hear more friends of Joy collaborating. That being said, perhaps a quick sentence beginning each post about contributors similar to “Let it Be Sundays?”
It’s been a week and we’ll make it through.
Dorinda
I was confused, as well. Especially with the lovely picture of Joy that begins the post. The content is great, but clarification between contributors would be helpful. Blessings!
Abby Mallett
Hi, Dorinda! I appreciate the feedback – we will be introducing the Joy the Baker team soon publicly to avoid any confusion in the future! – xo
Abby Mallett
Hi Jen, you might be a mind reader. We are going to introduce the Joy the Baker team publicly soon! I appreciate the feedback and hope you make it through the week (seriously, it’s been THE longest week, my goodness) – xo
Sabrina
one pot is definitely the way to go if it works! Love your chocolate chip dutch baby especially, but all of these are wonderful, so thank you!
Shawn
Joy, that dress is so cute!
Kaydence
Yes thank you, this is what I needed right now! There are so many dishes with 5 if us let me tell you. This week help, I’m going to make meatballs
Cyndi
You moved from your house to a studio apartment? When? Why? Where?
Abby Mallett
Hi, Cyndi. My name is Abby and I’m a new editor and occasional contributing writer here at Joy the Baker. You might see some slightly new content around here! I hope you enjoy it and will take any and all feedback! While I live in Chicago, rest assured, Joy is still in lovely New Orleans :) – xo
Cyndi
Thank you for the explanation, Abby! I enjoyed this post very much. I look forward to hearing more from you :).