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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Dump-and-Go Comfort Food Classics That Require Almost Zero Prep

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 23, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Comfort food doesn't have to mean hours in the kitchen. With these 21 easy recipes, you can whip up satisfying meals with almost no prep time. Perfect for busy days, these dishes are all about simple ingredients and cozy flavors that everyone will love.

    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple slow cooker dish packed with fresh green vegetables. With just a few basic ingredients and a little prep time, you can have a comforting meal ready to enjoy. It's perfect for those busy nights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

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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 busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This soup is a warm and comforting meal that's simple to prepare. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth. You can get everything ready in just 10 minutes, and then let the slow cooker handle the cooking.

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    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes offer a simple solution for weeknight dinners. The lemony chicken legs paired with roasted potatoes create a warm and comforting meal that isn’t too filling. While everything bakes in the oven, you can quickly whip up a fresh green salad, giving you a wholesome dinner in no time.

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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 quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all while using simple items you probably already have in your pantry. With this recipe, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time, perfect for busy nights.

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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 straightforward dish that brings a taste of home cooking to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is a simple and healthy dish that's gluten and dairy free. It comes together easily in the crockpot, featuring poblano peppers in a flavorful Southwest broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is comforting and satisfying.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, colorful bell peppers, and onions all cooked together with a flavorful seasoning. It's a simple meal that comes together easily, making it a great choice for busy nights. Just toss everything in and let it cook while you take care of other things.

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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, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option that can quickly become a go-to favorite.

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    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 simple option for quick meals, making it great for lunches throughout the week. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful dinner that brings a bit of comfort from Grandma's kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini

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

    Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini is a comforting pasta dish that combines tender chicken, mushrooms, and a creamy cheese sauce. This meal is simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything in the crockpot and let it do the work for you.

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    Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne

    Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Penne combines the creamy comfort of mac and cheese with tender chicken for a filling meal. It's a simple dinner that the whole family will enjoy, making it a great option for busy evenings. Just set it up in the slow cooker and let it do the work while you take care of other things.

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    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    Baked potato soup in a slow cooker.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This soup is perfect for a simple, no-fuss dinner. Just toss everything into the crockpot in the morning, and by dinner time, you'll have a warm and comforting meal waiting for you. With soft potatoes and veggies simmered in flavorful chicken broth, it’s finished off with creamy evaporated milk and cheese for a rich texture.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This chicken tortellini soup is a simple and tasty dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a handful of vegetables, chicken breasts, broth, and tortellini, it comes together quickly and easily. It's perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something warm and filling.

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    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Enjoy all of the goodness of baked ziti with a fraction of the prep work! You don't have to boil the noodles or brown the meat, just layer it up and bake it to perfection.

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    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Butter Chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is a creamy and flavorful dish that's simple to prepare in your slow cooker. It's perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs well with pilau rice or cauliflower rice if you're looking for a low-carb option. This dish brings a taste of home cooking that's both satisfying and easy to enjoy.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping at the beginning, it’s mostly hands-off and comes together easily. You’ll have chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker Lamb

    Slow Cooker Lamb.
    Photo Credit: Veena Azmanov.

    Slow cooking lamb is a fantastic way to enjoy this meat, especially when you can simply toss everything into the pot and let it do its thing. In just four hours, you'll have tender, juicy lamb that falls apart easily, all smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice or some crusty bread, making it a satisfying meal for any night.

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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 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 tender and doesn’t get overcooked.

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    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a simple meal that you can prepare in no time. With just a few basic ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles, you can throw everything together and let the crock pot handle the cooking. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending a lot of 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 the whole family will enjoy. With a flavorful herby crust on the outside and a juicy, tender center, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. Plus, it only takes 50 minutes to prepare, using just a handful of easy ingredients.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Minestrone soup.
      17 Dump-and-Go Vegetable Dishes You Can Prep in Minutes
    • Nacho soup.
      22 Easy Slow Cooker Dinners That Will Save You Time and Stress
    • Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
      Stress-Free Suppers: 21 Set It and Forget It Recipes for When You're All Worn Out
    • White chicken chili.
      Make Summer Nights Simple with These 21 Easy Crockpot Dishes

    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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