When you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), making dinner can be a pain — literally. Chopping ingredients may be the last thing you want to do after a long day, especially when your hands and wrists are stiff or aching. However, cooking at home can help you save money and avoid certain foods and ingredients that can make inflammation worse, like saturated fat.

The good news is that you don’t need to stand at a cutting board, chopping away, to prepare tasty, healthy, easy meals. Using simple recipes and cooking hacks like prechopped ingredients, you can make delicious main courses with minimal meal prep. These three no-chopping-required dinner recipes combine some of the best foods to eat with rheumatoid arthritis, like legumes, whole grains, and ginger. These healthy recipes can help you get dinner on the table with less pain.

1. Stew With an Italian Flair

Precut ingredients let you prepare the Arthritis Foundation’s Italian Pasta and Bean Stew without a lot of effort. You can have this one-pot meal on the table in under an hour, and most of that time is spent just letting the ingredients simmer. White beans provide protein and fiber, and you can opt for whole-wheat orzo to reap the additional health benefits of whole grains.

2. 10-Minute Tacos

In just a little more time than it takes to open a can and a jar, you can serve these healthy Two-Ingredient Black Bean and Corn Tacos from the Arthritis Foundation. Black beans are packed with fiber, protein, and antioxidants, and whole-grain tortillas provide a nutritious shell. Add spinach, avocado, and cheese for more bulk and nutrients, if you want. If you’re feeling up to it, chop a little cilantro for a pop of fresh flavor.

3. One-Pan Salmon Supper

One-Pan Ginger Salmon and Whole-Grain Rice from Arthritis Action stars omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, and ginger, which may help ease inflammation and arthritis pain. This recipe requires minimal hands-on time when you use jarred or squeezable ingredients, but note that you’ll need to allow an hour for marinating. Use any combination of prechopped veggies you like, including frozen vegetables — just add a little more time to make sure they’re cooked. And because you use just one pan, cleanup is as easy as prep.

Prep Dinner Without Pain

With a few conveniences like premade, healthy ingredients and jarred, bottled, or canned goods, you can make delicious meals without needing to hold a chopping knife. Try one of these three recipes when you want a hearty, healthy meal with minimal effort and pain — you may even be inspired to develop chop-free versions of your favorite recipes.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myRAteam, the social network for people with rheumatoid arthritis and their loved ones, more than 206,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Do you have a favorite recipe that doesn’t require chopping? Can you offer more tips on how to cook healthy meals without pain? Share your experience in the comments section or by posting on your Activities page.