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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners That Get the Job Done

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 9, 2025, updated June 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook can be tough, especially after a long day. These 19 easy dinners are perfect for those busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set them up and let them do their thing while you relax or take care of other tasks.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

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

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is a straightforward meal that combines everything you need for a healthy and filling dinner. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something quick and tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything on a sheet pan, let it cook, and enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is a simple dinner option that you can prepare and let cook on its own. This dish is perfect for family meals and is sure to please everyone at the table. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious meal with very little effort.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which saves time and effort. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that really brings everything together.

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    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala served over white rice.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This dish is great for busy weekdays when you need a simple and tasty Indian-inspired meal. Just throw everything into your Crock Pot and let it do the work for you. It's a convenient way to enjoy a flavorful dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and delicious dinner option that takes only 50 minutes to prepare. With a flavorful herby crust on the outside and a juicy, tender center, it's sure to please everyone at the table. Plus, it requires just a few easy ingredients, making it a breeze to put together.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry..
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Slow cooker chicken curry is a warm and satisfying dish packed with flavor. It features tender chicken, a variety of vegetables, and a wonderful blend of spices. This simple crockpot meal is perfect for busy evenings and is sure to become a go-to favorite in your household.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice is a simple one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy families. The chicken turns out tender, the rice is fluffy, and the crunchy broccoli adds a nice touch. This dish is great for a cozy dinner without a lot of work.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner can be ready with very little effort. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast

    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: Butter Your Biscuit.

    This is a great meal for the whole family. It's a filling dinner made with simple ingredients, and the tender beef is packed with flavor. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and can be left to cook on its own.

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    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken features a delicious sweet and tangy sauce, combined with onion and green bell pepper. It pairs perfectly with brown rice and steamed green vegetables, making it a satisfying meal. This dish is simple to prepare and can be left to cook on its own, making it ideal for busy nights.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, making it perfect for any night of the week. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll want to add to your regular dinner rotation.

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    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a flavorful meal that comes together quickly in the instant pot, taking less than 45 minutes. The dish features a tasty tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano. It's a simple dinner option that works well for busy nights.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own while you take care of other things. It combines chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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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 vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It's a great option for a relaxed dinner, allowing you to focus on other things while it bakes.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in about five minutes and on the table in under forty. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take about 5 minutes of your time. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays perfectly cooked, making this a great option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a simple and convenient dish that anyone can whip up. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can set it to cook and go about your day. In under 45 minutes, you'll have a hearty meal filled with vegetables and rich flavors, perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish features tender beef and hearty root vegetables. It's simple to prepare and offers a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken thighs and broccoli are cooked together in a tasty sauce made from soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, ginger paste, and some other common seasonings. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a quick dinner. It's a one-pot meal that combines flavors well, making it easy to enjoy a satisfying meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Kid-Approved Slow Cooker Dinners for When You’re Craving Comfort Food
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      28 Budget-Friendly Summer Dishes That Are Bursting with Flavor

    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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