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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Veggie-Packed Dinners That Almost Cook Themselves

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 21, 2025, updated April 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and easy dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially when you want to pack in the veggies. These 17 dinners are not only filled with fresh produce but also require minimal effort, making them perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy healthy meals that practically cook themselves.

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple. With just a little chopping to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce for a delicious meal.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. A big sheet pan filled with your favorite veggies and sausages is just what you need for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

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    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal that everyone in the family will appreciate. With ground beef, carrots, peas, and a layer of mashed potatoes on top, this dish is simple and satisfying.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed peppers filled with beef and rice are simmered in a tasty marinara sauce. This dish is simple to prepare in the slow cooker, making it a comforting dinner that everyone will love.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
    Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

    This salmon dinner is super simple and ready in under 10 minutes. It's full of flavor with a tasty mix of honey and Dijon mustard.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This dinner is simple and all cooked on one sheet pan. You can mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables for a tasty meal.

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    Slow Cooker V8 Chili

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is packed with vegetables from the V8 juice in the sauce. It's a large batch, perfect for freezing or sharing with others.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is an easy meal full of flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful veggies roast together on a single sheet pan, so cleanup is quick and simple.

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    Copycat Wendy’s Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe lets you whip up a delicious version of Wendy’s chili right at home. Packed with beans, veggies, and spices, it’s a great option for when you want something hearty without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Cowboy Stew

    Cowboy Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Stew is a great choice for feeding a crowd without much effort. It's filled with ground beef, smoked sausage, potatoes, beans, and plenty of veggies, making it a filling meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet pan chicken and vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is a simple way to prepare a complete meal that's both healthy and satisfying. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the veggies, resulting in tender meat that’s delicious.

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    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan dinner that requires no chopping. With frozen mixed veggies and a creamy cheese sauce, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to whip up this cozy family meal.

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    Juicy Slow Cooker Corned Beef

    Juicy Slow Cooker Corned Beef.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    This is an easy way to prepare a classic corned beef and cabbage dinner. Cooking it slowly ensures the meat is juicy and tender.

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    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting without putting in much effort. It uses just a few simple ingredients, like meat and cabbage, to create a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This soup is warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy meal. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth, all ready with just 10 minutes of prep while the slow cooker handles the rest.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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