• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Ă—
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dishes Your Guests Won’t Believe Were This Easy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 10, 2025 · Published December 12, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    If you're looking to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen, dump-and-cook recipes are the way to go. These simple dishes require minimal prep and can be thrown together in no time, making them perfect for gatherings. From hearty casseroles to flavorful one-pot meals, these recipes will have everyone asking for seconds.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a tasty Air Fryer Flank Steak in only 8-10 minutes. The marinade gives it great flavor and keeps the steak juicy with minimal work.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Broccoli Casserole

    Broccli casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This broccoli casserole makes for an easy and healthy side dish that fits right in at any dinner gathering. It's a great way to impress your guests without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple way to prepare a delicious family dinner in less than an hour. With just a few basic ingredients, you'll get a tasty crust and juicy, tender meat without much hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cassidy's Craveable Creations.

    This delicious salmon is coated in a sweet and spicy glaze, and it all comes together in just 20 minutes using only one pan. There's no flipping required, making it a simple and impressive dish for any gathering.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is easy to prepare in a single pot, and it's rich and flavorful. It's a great option for impressing your guests without a lot of hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Tilapia

    Baked tilapia.
    Photo credit: Organically Addison.

    This tilapia dish comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a quick and tasty option for dinner. It's simple to prepare and sure to impress anyone you serve it to.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Brie

    A baked brie with bread.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked brie is a simple yet delicious appetizer that you can whip up in under 25 minutes with just a few basic ingredients. It goes perfectly with bread or crackers, making it a great choice for both family dinners and special occasions.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Orzo

    lemon orzo.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    This easy one-pan meal comes together with just a handful of ingredients, making it perfect for a quick family dinner on hectic evenings. It's a flavorful dish that also works well as a tasty side.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chili

    Chili With Ground Meat And Beans.
    Photo credit: Melanie Cooks.

    Make a delicious chili quickly by simply adding all the ingredients to the Instant Pot. You'll have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and veggies is an easy and tasty dish that you can make all in one pan. It comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a great choice for a stress-free dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, featuring a zesty sauce that adds a kick to the perfectly cooked fish. This easy dish is a great way to impress your guests at dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Wonton Soup is super easy to whip up with frozen wontons and ready-to-use chopped vegetables. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly and is sure to impress your guests.

    Get the recipe

    Crock-Pot Honey Bourbon Steak Tips

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips (Crock-Pot)
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    These Honey Bourbon Steak Tips are made in the crockpot, resulting in tender and juicy pieces of meat. They're covered in a delicious sweet and savory sauce that's sure to impress your guests.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta bake comes together in no time and is done in less than an hour. With a mix of buffalo sauce, spinach, and plenty of cheese, it's a delicious and easy meal for any evening.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan dinner is simple to make and full of flavor. With just a bit of garlic and herbs, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

    Baked salmon with crispy topping.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This simple dinner comes together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze. Everyone will love the crunchy coating and lively flavors in this satisfying dish.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner makes for an easy and satisfying meal any night of the week. Just chop some ingredients, toss them on the pan, and you'll have a delicious dish with chicken, veggies, and a tasty sauce all cooked together.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This one-sheet pan dinner makes for a quick and easy meal that's perfect for impressing guests. Just pick your favorite sausage and vegetables to create a dish that suits your taste.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Casserole

    Zucchini casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This Zucchini Casserole is a simple and delicious way to enjoy vegetables and cheese all in one go.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Hot chocolate cookie cups.
      24 Christmas Cookie Designs So Adorable You’ll Want to Make Them All
    • Lemon Ricotta Pasta
      19 Fast, Flavorful Pasta Recipes for Last-Minute Dinner Plans
    • Ribs.
      19 Simple Dinners That’ll Make You Feel Like a Top Chef
    • Baked gnocchi with veggies.
      32 Comfort Food Dinners That Taste Better Than Any Restaurant

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • instant pot turkey soup in a bowl
      Instant Pot Turkey Soup
    • Salty & Spicy Candied Walnuts
    • cajun alfredo sauce with pasta in a bowl
      Cajun Alfredo Sauce with Pasta
    • Cranberry muffins.
      Cranberry Muffins

    Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

    • duck breasts topped orange sauce
      Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce (Best Sauce for Duck!)
    • Butterball cookies on a blue plate with hazelnuts.
      Butterball Cookies (Snowball Cookies / Russian Tea Cakes)
    • saffron buns with glögg
      Lussekatter - Traditional Swedish Saffron Buns [Authentic Recipe]
    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Herb Crusted Air Fryer Roast Beef

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB