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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Set It and Forget It Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 3, 2025, updated June 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding dinner ideas that everyone in the family will enjoy can be a challenge, especially on busy nights. These 20 easy recipes are perfect for setting up in the morning and letting them cook while you go about your day. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, these meals will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

    Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

    Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crock pot chicken pot pie is a warm and satisfying meal featuring juicy chicken and fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce. It cooks slowly in the crock pot, allowing all the flavors to blend beautifully. This dish is perfect for when you want something hearty without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta, packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a hearty meal that comes together quickly and easily, perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that hits the spot.

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    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is prepared in a slow cooker, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully while you relax. It's a simple and satisfying meal that requires minimal effort. Just set it up and let it do its thing, resulting in a hearty dinner that's perfect for when you're feeling worn out.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    These baked cod packs are super easy to prepare, taking only 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, so you don’t have to worry about it getting overdone.

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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 ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for those days when you don't want to spend a lot of time cooking.

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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 when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together in one pan. It features chicken, veggies, and a flavorful sauce that all blend nicely, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will definitely fill you up. It's perfect for when you're too tired to think about what to make for dinner. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Chicken Bacon Risotto

    Chicken and bacon risotto being spooned onto a plate.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    A simple weeknight risotto can be made with rotisserie chicken and bacon, creating a dish that's so satisfying you'll want to have more. This recipe is perfect for when you're feeling tired and just want something delicious without putting in too much effort. It's a comforting meal that brings together great flavors in no time.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders are a tasty choice that combines the zesty flavor of barbecue chicken with the ease of using a slow cooker. Perfect for gatherings or a simple weeknight meal, these sliders are satisfying and require minimal effort. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you relax.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something warm and filling. Perfect for days when you don't feel like putting in a lot of effort, this recipe delivers great flavor with minimal work.

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    Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies

    Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Garlic butter chicken with veggies is a simple dish you can prepare in your slow cooker. Tender chicken, baby carrots, and golden potatoes all cook together in a rich garlic butter sauce. This meal is perfect for when you want something delicious without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup

    Chicken barley soup.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup is a simple dish that does most of the work for you. It's filled with fresh vegetables, hearty chicken broth, and tender shredded chicken, making it a comforting option for any meal. This soup is perfect for busy days when you want something warm and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    A bowl of creamy soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This thick and creamy baked potato soup is perfect for when you just want a comforting meal without putting in much effort. With the help of a slow cooker, you can set it up and let it simmer while you relax. It's loaded with all the good stuff, making it a satisfying choice for a cozy dinner.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

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

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple meal packed with flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and vibrant veggies roast together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

    Slow cooker country style ribs served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cheerful Cook.

    These fall-apart ribs are a favorite for their simplicity and flavor. With just a few easy ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is perfect for busy days when cooking feels like too much. It's a great option when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It’s a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for those nights when you just want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

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

    This sheet pan meal offers a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It’s a great option for when you want a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

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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. You only need a few basic ingredients to whip this up, making it an easy choice for a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken brings together chicken, sundried tomatoes, chicken broth, and a few basic seasonings for a tasty dish. It requires very little prep time and cooks in about 3 hours, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a simple and comforting dish that brings back childhood memories. It features layers of chicken breasts, ham, Swiss cheese, sauce, and stuffing, all cooked together in the slow cooker. Perfect for busy nights, this casserole requires minimal effort while delivering a satisfying meal.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      18 No-Fuss Summer Dinners You Can Make in Your Crockpot
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      21 Dump-And-Cook Crockpot Meals That Are Super Easy to Prepare
    • Cottage pie.
      16 Gourmet Ground Beef Meals You Can Make at Home
    • Croque madame sandwiches.
      20 Quick and Easy Summer Dinners for When You’ve Got Better Things to Do

    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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