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

    20 Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

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

    After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 20 easy dinners are perfect for those nights when you're too tired to cook but still want a satisfying meal. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can set everything up and let it cook while you relax.

    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.

    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

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting. With just a few basic ingredients like meat and cabbage, it comes together easily. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

    Slow Cooker French Onion Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker French Onion Soup is a warm and cozy dish that you can prepare with minimal effort in your slow cooker. It has a rich onion broth that pairs wonderfully with crispy croutons and gooey melted cheese on top. This soup is perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.

    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

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This roast chicken is flavorful and has a nice golden-brown color, with tasty pan juices made from garlic and olive oil. Stuffed with creamy Brie, it’s a great choice for family dinners and special occasions. It's simple to prepare and can be left to cook on its own, making it a convenient option for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Nibble and Dime.

    This dish features tender and tasty shredded chicken that's seasoned with green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. It's a great option for easy meal prep, making it simple to have lunches ready to go. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a flavorful meal that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is incredibly tender and requires very little effort. This simple dish is perfect for weeknights, whether served on a plate or in a bun. Just grab your CrockPot, toss in a few ingredients, and in about three hours, dinner is ready!

    Get the Recipe

    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

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken is packed with great flavors. A whole chicken is seasoned with butter, beer, lemon, and garlic, creating a tasty dish with minimal effort. This is a good dinner option for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

    Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe is a great option for a filling meal. With tender Russet potatoes, ground beef, and straightforward flavors, it’s sure to be a hit with your family. It’s an easy dinner that you can prepare and let cook without much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and simple to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it’s packed with flavor and baked to perfection, resulting in juicy, flaky fish. It’s a great option for dinner any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in less than an hour, from beginning to end. It's a simple and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy evening.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dish is great for a simple weeknight dinner, offering juicy and tender bites packed with flavor. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for those busy evenings when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy chicken and rice soup is incredibly simple to make. It's made with carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, chicken, rice and a variety of spices, and finished off with cream. Pair this with grilled cheese or crusty bread for dinner on a cold evening!

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Potato Soup

    Crockpot Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Crockpot Potato Soup is a comforting and filling dish that's simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It includes all the tasty elements of a baked potato, such as bacon, cheese, and green onions. This soup is perfect for a cozy meal, especially on chilly days.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Beet cucumber salad.
      20 Cucumber Dishes That Will Keep You Cool All Season Long
    • Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake.
      22 Easy Dump-and-Go Meals Straight from Grandma’s Recipe Box
    • Carne guisada.
      Set It and Forget It: 23 Slow Cooker Dinners That Basically Cook Themselves
    • Chow mein.
      5 Chinese Crockpot Recipes to Try This Week

    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 →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      20 Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook
    • Cast iron skillet peach cobbler.
      22 Pies, Cobblers, Crisps & Crumbles That Will Steal the Show This Summer
    • Cheesy taco skillet.
      26 Dirt Cheap Recipes to Make With Ground Beef
    • A lemon meringue nest with berries.
      17 Summer Desserts That Will Make You Forget the Heat

    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