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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Stress-Free Cooking: 22 Easy Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 12, 2025, updated June 16, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can often feel overwhelming, especially after a long day. With these 22 easy dinner ideas, you can set everything up and let your slow cooker or oven do the work for you. Enjoy simple, stress-free meals that require minimal effort and time.

    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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    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic flavors of enchiladas in a simple layered dish. It features corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and rich red enchilada sauce, all baked together for a comforting meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans

    Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This meal features hearty ingredients like ground beef, bell peppers, and onions, creating a satisfying dish. The blend of seasonings adds a special touch that really brings the flavors together. It's a simple option that you can prepare and let cook while you focus on other things.

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    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Pulled pork cooked in cherry cola and BBQ sauce is a delicious and easy dinner option. The meat turns out tender and juicy, packed with flavor from the spices and sauce. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs

    Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    This dish features a delicious orange sweet and sour sauce that coats tender St. Louis style ribs, creating a flavorful meal. The sauce caramelizes beautifully when cooked at high heat, adding a rich depth to the ribs. It's a satisfying option for dinner that requires minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Beergarita Chicken Tacos

    Beergarita Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Beerarita Chicken Tacos feature tender shredded chicken cooked in a delicious blend of beer and margarita flavors. This dish is perfect for a simple taco night, allowing you to enjoy great taste without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Just set it up in the crockpot and let it do the work for you.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits/

    This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes dish is a simple and satisfying meal. With just a few minutes of prep, you can throw everything on one pan and let it bake. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple meal packed with flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and vibrant vegetables come together on one sheet pan, making it easy to prepare and clean up afterward. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much 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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    Carnitas

    Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork).
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Skip the restaurant and enjoy homemade pulled pork instead. This dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for dinner. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious meal ready to serve.

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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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    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple recipe that works well for a busy weeknight dinner. Just set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables is a great dinner option that comes together in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and other veggies, this dish is simple and satisfying, all cooked in one pan. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 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 Indian Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken is a flavorful dish that brings together a mix of spices and a touch of citrus for a delightful meal. This recipe is straightforward and has been proven to work well in your crockpot or slow cooker. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time 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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    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake is a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. It combines the classic flavors of chili and cheese with hot dogs, all baked together in one pan. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and spinach with pasta in a rich tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you have friends over.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule. With minimal effort, you can have a flavorful dinner ready to enjoy.

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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 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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • 25 Stupid Simple Recipes Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      22 Dump-And-Go Dinners We’re Making Every Week
    • Creamy crockpot tortellini.
      Simplify Summer: 18 Crockpot Dinners You Can Set and Forget
    • Walking taco casserole.
      25 Easy Meal Prep Recipes That Save You Time and Money

    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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