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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Deliciously Simple Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 30, 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 23 simple dinner ideas are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to set everything up and let it cook while you relax. From hearty casseroles to flavorful slow-cooked meals, these recipes make dinner a breeze.

    Slow Cooker Chicken With Creamy Tomato & Spinach Sauce

    Slow Cooker Chicken With Creamy Tomato & Spinach Sauce.
    Photo Credit: My Life Cookbook.

    Keto slow cooker chicken with creamy tomato and spinach sauce is a flavorful and simple dinner option for busy weeknights. The sauce is rich and creamy, pairing wonderfully with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Each serving contains only 3.3g of net carbs, making it a great choice for those watching their carb intake.

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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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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

    This dish is simple to put together. Just place some chicken thighs and vegetables on a sheet pan, pop it in the oven, and you’ll have a delicious dinner ready with tender chicken and flavorful roasted veggies.

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    Asian Noodle Soup with Ground Pork and Peanuts

    Asian Noodle Soup with Ground Pork and Peanuts.
    Photo Credit: This Is How I Cook.

    This easy and comforting soup is great for a quick meal when the weather is cold. The peanut and scallion Asian noodle soup is delicious and can be enjoyed any time of the year.

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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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    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    A juicy turkey breast is roasted with garlic and butter, resting on a bed of vibrant low-carb vegetables. This simple one-pan meal is packed with protein and is perfect for a quick dinner. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Sheet pan oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and vegetables is a simple dinner option that you can prepare in just 25 minutes using only one pan. This dish combines tender gnocchi with flavorful sausage and fresh veggies, making it a satisfying meal without much effort. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This recipe is full of tropical flavors and is perfect for busy evenings. It's a simple dish that you can prepare quickly and let it cook on its own. Adding this to your family's meal plan will make dinner time a breeze.

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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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    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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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu is a great option for dinner, especially if you have picky eaters at home. With layers of ham, cheese, and chicken, it’s a dish that everyone can enjoy. This recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious casseroles you can prepare in a crock pot.

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    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This healthy chili is made in a slow cooker with beans, corn, peppers, and masa harina. It’s packed with flavors from the Southwest and is perfect for a cozy meal. Just set it up and let it cook while you go about your day.

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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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    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This Cream of Chicken & Leek Soup is a simple and satisfying meal. With just six ingredients, it comes together quickly and easily. It's a great option for busy families looking for a comforting dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado features tender beef cooked in a flavorful red chile sauce, paired with warm tortillas for a simple and satisfying meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you go about your day.

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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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    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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    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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    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade chicken meatballs get a flavorful boost when they’re simmered in a chipotle sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights, allowing you to set it and forget it while the flavors develop. Everyone will be coming back for more after enjoying this delicious meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup

    Chicken barley soup.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup is an easy meal that practically cooks itself. Packed with vegetables, chicken broth, and tender shredded chicken, this soup is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and everything cooks together in one pan with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, creating a satisfying meal. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences.

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    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This dish features tender pork cubes simmered in a spicy Hatch green chile sauce, perfect for serving over rice, polenta, or in tortillas. The Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew is a simple meal that you can prepare and let cook on its own, bringing the vibrant flavors of New Mexico right to your table. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something hearty and delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is a fantastic option for a healthy and satisfying meal. This dish is easy to prepare and delivers tender, juicy pork alongside perfectly roasted potatoes. It's perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    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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