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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Set It and Forget It: 22 Dinners That Cook Themselves While You Relax

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 10, 2025, updated June 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. With these 22 easy dinner ideas, you can set everything up and let your meal cook itself while you unwind. From slow cookers to one-pot dishes, these recipes make dinner a breeze, allowing you to enjoy your evening without the hassle of cooking.

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta, packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a hearty meal that comes together quickly and easily, perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that hits the spot.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It combines two delicious cheeses, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a simple and satisfying meal that doesn’t require much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A warm and filling meal is easy to prepare with this crock pot chicken pot pie recipe. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are combined with creamy soups, all topped with fluffy biscuits. This dish is perfect for chilly winter evenings when you want something comforting and satisfying.

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    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
    Photo Credit: My Quiet Kitchen.

    This vegetable soup is a great choice when you want something healthy and light. It comes together in just 40 minutes and is super simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients into the Instant Pot, and you'll have a warm meal in no time. If you prefer, there are also instructions for making it on the stove.

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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 those days when you don't want to spend a lot of time cooking.

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    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken.
    Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

    This chicken dish is quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes. It's full of flavor and perfect for a family meal. You can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Spaghetti

    Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Spaghetti (Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Copycat).
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Scampi is a favorite that you can whip up in your own kitchen. It features creamy pasta paired with chicken, bell peppers, and red onion. This version is simple and quick, perfect for when you want a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something warm and filling. Perfect for days when you don't feel like putting in a lot of effort, this recipe delivers great flavor with minimal work.

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    Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

    Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Chopped chicken breasts, cheese, black beans, southwest-style corn, and some pantry staples combine to create a tasty Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken. This dish is a great addition to any Mexican-inspired meal, adding a fun twist to your dinner plans. It's simple to prepare and perfect for when you want something flavorful without putting in a lot of effort.

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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 when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together in one pan. It features chicken, veggies, and a flavorful sauce that all blend nicely, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

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

    This chicken traybake is simple and comes together in one dish, featuring a tasty Mediterranean-style dressing. It includes colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, creating a satisfying meal. You can easily change it up to suit your taste.

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    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This is a straightforward and tasty dinner option that works well for a weeknight meal or a relaxed Sunday dinner. This classic Italian dish is cooked slowly, allowing the flavors to develop beautifully. It pairs nicely with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

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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 super easy to make, using a no-boil method that saves time and effort. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, and long-grain white rice, all mixed together with a tasty tomato sauce and Italian spices. Perfect for when you want a comforting meal 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 offers a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It’s a great option for when you want a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This incredibly quick and easy pizza pasta bake is an absolute lifesaver on busy nights! It’ll be in the oven in no time flat – you can even mix it all up right in the pan (and you don’t even have to precook the pasta)! So cheesy and full of great pizza flavors - your whole family will love it.

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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. You only need a few basic ingredients to whip this up, making it an easy choice for a satisfying meal.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will definitely fill you up. It's perfect for when you're too tired to think about what to make for dinner. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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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 great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It’s a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for those nights when you just want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

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

    After a long day, 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot is the perfect comfort food. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is incredibly simple to prepare. Just toss everything in the pot and let it cook while you relax.

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    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken is a great way to spice up your dinner. It's packed with flavor and has just the right amount of heat. You can easily serve it over rice with some black beans on the side, making it a satisfying meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun.
    Photo Credit: Food Meanderings.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on a Bun features tender, smoky shredded pork served on a bun, topped with a simple slaw and pepperoncini. This dish is great for summer BBQs or potlucks, but it also works well for cozy winter dinners. It's perfect for casual gatherings or when you need to feed a group without much effort.

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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 super easy to prepare, taking only 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, so you don’t have to worry about it getting overdone.

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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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