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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Dinners's Ready When You Are: 23 Easy Recipes to Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 20, 2025, updated June 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Preparing dinner can often feel like a chore, especially on busy days. With 23 easy recipes that you can set and forget, you can enjoy delicious meals without the hassle of constant monitoring. These simple dishes are perfect for anyone looking to save time in the kitchen while still enjoying satisfying home-cooked food.

    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

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

    These ribs are incredibly easy to prepare and turn out tender and flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, this dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. It's a great option for a satisfying meal that practically cooks itself.

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    Chicken Posole Stew

    Slow Cooker Recipe With Chicken: Chicken Posole Stew
    Photo Credit: G Free Foodie.

    Chicken Posole Stew is a comforting dish that you can prepare with minimal effort. The star ingredient is hominy, which is dried corn that has been soaked and had its hull removed. This stew is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Slow cooker White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde is a healthy and filling dish that's perfect for meal prep. You can make a large batch and freeze any extras, so you have an easy dinner option ready for the whole family. This recipe is simple to prepare and requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for busy days.

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    Garlic Lemon Gemelli

    Gemelli Garlic Lemon Pasta.
    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This dish is a quick and tasty option that can be on the table in under 30 minutes. With its garlic and lemon flavors, it’s sure to have everyone coming back for more. Perfect for busy nights, this pasta is simple to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.

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    Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

    A bowl of Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Eat Your Beets.

    This dish combines chili and macaroni in a slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over time. It's a comforting meal that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy evenings. Just set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

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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 option that's gluten and dairy free. You can throw everything into the crockpot and let it cook while you go about your day. With poblano peppers adding a nice kick, this soup is packed with flavor and perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken.
    Photo Credit: I heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken is a simple dinner option that you can prepare with minimal effort. This dish features chicken simmering in a delicious sweet and savory sauce, making it a great pairing with rice and vegetables. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    A busy day calls for a simple meal, and 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot fits the bill perfectly. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is incredibly easy to prepare, allowing you to set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and fills you up without requiring much effort.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner can be ready with very little effort. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty 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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    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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    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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    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This honey mustard chicken recipe is perfect for a simple dinner. With just a few ingredients like mustard, honey, and garlic, you can create a delicious meal with very little effort. Just set it in the crockpot and let it cook while you go about your day. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Buffalo Chicken Chili

    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
    Photo Credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    This slow cooker buffalo chicken chili is a simple dish that fits perfectly into busy weekdays or game days. It comes together quickly with just a few ingredients, blending the classic tastes of chili with the spicy kick of buffalo wings. This could easily become your go-to chili recipe.

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    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

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

    Balsamic chicken is a simple way to transform regular chicken breasts into something special with just a few ingredients. The combination of Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and balsamic vinegar brings a rich flavor that everyone will enjoy. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time 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 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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    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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    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

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

    These fajitas are perfect for a simple family dinner that requires minimal effort. Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned well and cooked alongside colorful peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a delicious filling. Just layer everything on tortillas and add your favorite toppings for a satisfying meal.

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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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    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 Stuffed Pepper Soup

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

    If you love stuffed peppers then this soup is right up your alley! It's great topped with cheese along with breadsticks, for a seriously hearty meal.

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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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    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

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

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a tasty one-pot meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. The combination of garlic parmesan wing sauce with cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, milk, and some common pantry ingredients creates a rich and flavorful dish. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Slow Cooker Chicken Dishes You’ll Want to Try This Week
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    • Buffalo chicken tater tot casserole.
      21 Easy Freezer Casseroles You Can Make Ahead

    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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