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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Easy Gourmet Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 27, 2025, updated October 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy days can make it tough to prepare a nice dinner, but with these 17 easy recipes, you can simply dump the ingredients in a pot or on a pan and let them cook. These meals are not only easy to make, but they also bring rich flavors and satisfying results to your table. Perfect for those who want a delicious dinner without the fuss!

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

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

    Making lamb chops with vegetables on a sheet pan is an easy way to prepare a tasty dinner without worrying about overcooking. As everything bakes together, the lamb turns out tender and full of flavor from the veggies.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Making a tasty Mac and Cheese is super easy. You only need one pan and no boiling, so you can enjoy a cheesy baked dish with very little effort.

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    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a beloved dish that brings together seasoned chicken and rice in a comforting way. This easy meal is sure to please everyone around the dinner table.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is perfect for a simple and tasty family meal. With a flavorful herb crust and tender meat, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines chicken and broccoli for a hearty meal that's sure to leave you with some leftovers. It's simple to make and great for impressing friends without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: Add Salt and Serve.

    This dish features cube steak combined with cream of mushroom soup and Lipton onion soup mix for a simple yet flavorful meal. With just a few ingredients and little prep time, it's perfect for a hassle-free dinner.

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    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Gourmet burrito bowls can be made easily with this straightforward dump-and-bake method. This healthy meal is sure to impress your family and friends.

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    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is simple to make with just a few ingredients: salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning. It's a great way to enjoy a tasty meal without a lot of fuss.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy chicken and pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a simple and satisfying meal. Just combine everything in one pot for a hassle-free dinner.

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    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This Enchilada Bake is super easy to whip up using ingredients you likely have on hand, and it's sure to please everyone at the dinner table. Just toss everything into your slow cooker, and you won't even have to turn on the oven.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon is incredibly easy to make with just three simple ingredients. It's a fancy meal that will wow your guests, without any fuss.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, taking less than 45 minutes to prepare. Simply roast chicken thighs along with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots in a flavorful marinade for a satisfying meal.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a quick and easy dish that you can cook in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade adds great flavor, making the steak tender and juicy.

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This one-pan meal features flavorful lemon garlic chicken, crispy potatoes, and charred broccoli. It's an easy and satisfying dinner option for those hectic evenings.

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    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Stuff salmon with garlic butter and wrap it in bacon for a delicious meal that everyone will love. This simple yet fancy dinner is sure to impress your guests.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is any cheese and pasta lover's dream. With two types of cheese, a nice tang from Gorgonzola, and perfect crunch from walnuts. All done in under 40 minutes, this is as easy as it gets!

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    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven-baked chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan make for a simple and delicious dinner with minimal cleanup. This recipe is full of flavor, featuring garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley.

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    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    Pizza baked beans are a great option for hectic evenings. Just combine some canned beans with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings, then bake for a warm and satisfying meal that pairs well with crusty bread, all in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      38 Satisfying Pasta Recipes You Can Make in Under an Hour
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      12 Takeout Favorites You Can Make in Your Slow Cooker at Home
    • 16 Potluck Appetizers That Will Vanish Before Your Eyes

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years 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, 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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