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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Satisfying Dinners With Minimal Prep Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 1, 2025, updated August 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 22 satisfying dinners require minimal prep time, making it easy to whip up a delicious meal without the hassle. From quick stir-fries to simple pasta dishes, these recipes will help you enjoy a hearty dinner without the stress.

    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 to get ready. 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 Crack Chicken

    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a delicious mix of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and bacon. This dish is creamy and cheesy, making it a satisfying choice for dinner. It's easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Forget the store-bought options and whip up these tasty homemade sloppy joes. This recipe is simple and perfect for a quick meal that everyone in the family will love. It's a great choice for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is simple to prepare and uses rotisserie chicken for convenience. It's filled with fresh lemon and rosemary flavors that brighten up the dish. Perfect for busy nights, this meal comes together quickly and is satisfying for the whole family.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a great option for a cozy meal that's simple to prepare. It combines tender chicken with fluffy rice in a creamy sauce, making it satisfying and filling. Perfect for busy nights, this dish comes together quickly and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Noodle Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Curried Chicken Noodle Soup gives a fresh twist to the classic dish. The curry powder and turmeric add a warm, rich flavor that feels cozy and filling. This soup is perfect for chilly days when you need something hearty to warm you up.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice is a simple one-pot meal that's perfect for busy families. The chicken turns out tender, the rice is fluffy, and the crunchy broccoli adds a nice touch. This dish is great for a cozy dinner without a lot of work.

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole comes together in no time and is perfect for a busy evening. With a mix of zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it's a dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's a simple and satisfying meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts is a great option for a quick meal. It's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying dish. Adding a nice piece of mozzarella or burrata cheese on top takes it to the next level.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan and Pasta combines tender chicken, flavorful tomato sauce, and filling pasta in one pot. Topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy family dinner. It's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    One-Pot Hummus Pasta

    Hummus pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Dinner can be simple and quick with just a few ingredients and minimal cleanup. This dish comes together in only 12 minutes using just 5 ingredients and one pot. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is a simple meal that you can prepare all in one pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights. It's a satisfying dinner option when you don't have time to cook on the stove. With just a few ingredients and your slow cooker, this dish comes together easily. Everyone will love it, providing a hearty meal without needing to spend hours in the kitchen.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something quick and satisfying. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal in no time. It's a great option for anyone looking to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Barley Pulao

    Chicken barley pulao.
    Photo Credit: Chocolates and Chai.

    This dish puts a fun spin on the classic Indian Chicken Pulao. It's a one-pot meal that swaps out rice for barley, giving it a unique flavor and some extra health perks. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty and easy to prepare.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Taco Ramen is a fantastic choice for a quick meal. Ground beef simmers in a tasty mix of taco seasoning, tomatoes, and corn, creating a delicious base. The ramen noodles cook right in the slow cooker, making this a simple one-pot dinner that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick stir-fry is packed with fresh vegetables and has a bright, citrusy flavor that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something easy to prepare. You can serve it on its own or pair it with rice for a more filling meal.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Juicy chicken cooks slowly in a creamy parmesan sauce with sundried tomatoes and spinach, filling your kitchen with a delicious aroma. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of work. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love.

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    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies

    Potato Stir-Fry with Halloumi & Veggies
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This potato stir-fry with halloumi and veggies is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 25 minutes, including prep time. It's a healthy choice that's full of flavor and can be made all in one pan. A splash of lemon adds a nice touch, making this dish not just good, but really enjoyable for a busy weeknight.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Shredded Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Shredded Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Shredded Chicken is a fantastic option for busy weeknights. With just about 10 minutes of prep time, this dish is perfect for making pulled BBQ sandwiches and other meals. Plus, any leftovers can be easily frozen for later use.

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    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese combine to create this super-tasty dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker tater tot casserole is a simple and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy schedule. Packed with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese, it offers a comforting mix of flavors and textures. The hearty layers make it a filling option for dinner, and it requires minimal effort to prepare.

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    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, including prep time, you can whip up a tasty vegetarian halloumi pasta packed with fresh vegetables. This dish is light and perfect for summer, offering a refreshing dinner option that highlights the flavors of the veggies without any heavy cream. It's a simple and satisfying meal that fits well into a busy schedule.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Easy Casseroles That Will Save Your Weeknight Dinners
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      21 Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Make You Wish It Was Fall All Year Long
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      16 Dump-and-Go Slow Cooker Meals for Cozy Nights In

    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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