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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners So Easy Anyone Can Make Them

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 3, 2025, updated June 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking dinner can be a hassle, especially after a long day. These 21 easy recipes let you set everything up and walk away, making mealtime a breeze. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, anyone can whip up a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls

    SLOW COOKER CABBAGE ROLLS.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls turn a classic comfort food into an easy meal. You can come home to a warm, satisfying dinner without spending time in the kitchen. These stuffed cabbage rolls are hearty and filling, making them a favorite for everyone.

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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 perfectly cooked, making this a great option for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish cooked in a slow cooker is sure to be a hit with your family. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a must-try for anyone looking for an easy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, it offers a fresh and healthy meal that’s full of flavor. The gnocchi gets nice and crispy while cooking with garlic mushrooms and broccoli, and you can have dinner ready in just 30 minutes with only one pan to wash up afterwards.

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    Cajun Chicken Foil Packs

    Cajun Chicken Foil Packets.
    Photo credit: Camp Grill Eat.

    Foil packets are a simple way to enjoy a meal on the grill, featuring tender boneless chicken thighs along with sliced peppers and onions seasoned with Cajun spices. This meal is easy to prepare and clean up, making it perfect for busy nights. In just 30 minutes, you can have a delicious dinner ready to serve.

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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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    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and doesn't require boiling anything. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe is all about simple, tasty cooking with chicken thighs that are seasoned with lemon and pepper. Just set it in the slow cooker and let it work its magic, turning ordinary chicken into a delicious and juicy dish. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    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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    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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    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.

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    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for a cozy night in. Prepared in the crockpot, it features a creamy base made from coconut milk and sun-dried tomatoes. With pasta, white cannellini beans, and fresh spinach, this dish is both healthy and filling, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is simple and ideal for a quick family dinner, taking less than 45 minutes from start to finish. Just toss chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots together with a tasty marinade and let the oven do the work. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Pulled BBQ Brisket Slow Cooker

    Pulled BBQ Brisket Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This pulled BBQ brisket recipe is all about convenience and flavor. You’ll enjoy tender brisket packed with delicious BBQ taste, all while letting your slow cooker do the work. It’s a simple way to prepare a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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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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    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 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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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This simple meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a tasty one-pan meal. There's no need to boil the pasta or brown the meatballs beforehand. Just layer everything in a casserole dish and let the oven handle the cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs

    Peachy barbecue ribs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Peachy Barbecue Ribs feature tender pork that falls right off the bone, smothered in a sweet and tangy peach barbecue sauce. This dish is great for weeknight dinners or when you have friends over.

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    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed pepper soup is a delicious and comforting dish that brings all the flavors you love in stuffed peppers into a warm bowl. It's perfect for a filling meal, especially when you add some cheese on top and serve it with breadsticks. This soup is easy to prepare and can be left to simmer, making it a great option for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This meal is simple to prepare and cooks on its own while you go about your day. It features tender chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and a mix of Indian spices, creating a dish that's full of flavor. Plus, it's gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a great option for various dietary needs.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Blueberry rhubarb crisp.
      14 Heavenly Blueberry Desserts That Will Make You Smile
    • Chicken gnocchi soup.
      20 Slow Cooker Favorites That Will Keep Your Kids Happy
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      19 Grandma Approved Crockpot Recipes You’ll Be Making All Summer Long
    • Chickpea salad.
      17 Delicious Ways to Enjoy the Juiciest Tomatoes of the Year

    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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