Busy evenings? We’ve got you covered. These simple “set it and forget it” meals require minimal prep—just pop them in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot and let dinner take care of itself.
1. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Place a marinated beef roast in the slow cooker with potatoes, carrots, onions, and a splash of broth. By dinnertime, you’ll have melt‑in‑your‑mouth beef with rich, savory flavors that taste like you spent all day in the kitchen. Here’s a great recipe from AllRecipes to check out.
2. BBQ Pulled Pork
Season a pork shoulder with your favorite BBQ rub and let it cook low and slow until it’s fall‑apart tender. Shred it up for easy sandwiches, tacos, or even over rice. Check out this pulled pork recipe from Delish.com
3. Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Add chicken thighs, teriyaki sauce, and a few slices of fresh ginger or some minced garlic to your slow cooker. Serve it over steamed rice with a side of broccoli for a simple takeout‑style dinner at home. This recipe from Well Plated will help you master the perfect crockpot teriyaki chicken.
4. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed peppers can be prepped ahead with ground beef, rice, and seasoning, then baked or slow cooked until soft and flavorful. They’re a hearty, colorful dinner that doesn’t require much cleanup. This recipe from Feast and Farm only requires a handful of ingredients and 40 minutes from start to finish.
5. Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Anything wrapped in bacon is a good idea. This bacon-wrapped meatloaf recipe from the Food Network is juicy, packed with flavor, and makes the perfect comfort food meal with a side of mashed potatoes.
6. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Layer tortillas, shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce in a casserole dish and bake until bubbly. It’s a great make‑ahead meal you can even freeze for busy nights. This recipe from Simple Joy has over 140 5-star reviews!
7. Italian Sausage & Peppers
Toss Italian sausage links with sliced peppers, onions, and marinara sauce in a baking dish or slow cooker. Serve it with crusty bread or over pasta for an easy weeknight dinner. Check out this Authentic Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe from Foreign Fork.
8. Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
Rub a pork loin with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, then roast it with potatoes and carrots for a one‑pan meal. It’s simple, flavorful, and makes plenty of leftovers for the next day. This recipe from Food.com only requires a handful of staple ingredients.
9. Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts
Combine chicken breasts, honey, soy sauce, and garlic in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for a sweet‑savory dinner. It pairs perfectly with rice or noodles and takes less than 10 minutes to prep. Here’s another great recipe from Well Plated.
10. Beef Stroganoff
Add cubed beef, mushrooms, onions, and stroganoff sauce to the slow cooker and let it simmer all day. Just stir in sour cream before serving over egg noodles for a creamy, comforting dish. This slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe from AllRecipes has over 4,000 revies.
11. Chili
Toss ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices into a pot or slow cooker and let it simmer to perfection. It’s hearty, filling, and even better the next day for leftovers. Check out this great slow cooker chili recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.
12. Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
Slice sausage and toss it with your favorite veggies, drizzle with olive oil, and bake it all on one pan. It’s a quick, colorful dinner with hardly any cleanup required. Here’s a quick 20-minute recipe from Gimme Delicious.
13. Chicken Alfredo Bake
Mix cooked pasta with Alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, and mozzarella, then bake until golden and bubbly. It’s creamy, cheesy, and always a family favorite. Check out an easy recipe from AllRecipes here.
Stock up on Gartner’s ready‑to‑cook roasts, marinated meats, and sausages so you can have a “set it and forget it” meal ready. Add a simple salad or bread, and dinner is done!