• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    21 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    Published: Jul 12, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Finding easy dinner ideas that the whole family will enjoy can be a challenge, especially on busy nights. These 21 simple set-it-and-forget-it recipes are perfect for those evenings when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. From hearty casseroles to flavorful slow-cooked dishes, these meals will satisfy everyone at the table.

    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's perfect for any night. It's satisfying and filling, ensuring you'll have some leftovers to enjoy later. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious dinner ready to go.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Taco soup with beans.
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in just 10 minutes. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be stored in the freezer for later. Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it cook while you go about your day. When it's ready, top it off with your favorite taco fixings like cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and green onions.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in just five minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    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, with a nice kick from Gorgonzola, and adds a satisfying crunch from walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    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 delicious dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option that you'll find yourself making again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    BBQ Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    This BBQ pulled pork is perfect for a slow cooker, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that falls apart easily. It's great served on a sandwich or simply enjoyed on its own. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Default Cook.

    Slow cooking chicken in a tasty mix of brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and chicken broth creates a simple and delicious dinner. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the flavors come together while you focus on other things.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

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

    This dish is a twist on the well-known Mississippi Pot Roast, featuring ranch seasoning, gravy mix, pepperoncini peppers, and butter. The chicken has a tangy flavor that isn't spicy, making it perfect to serve over plain white rice. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can set up and let cook without much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This one pan chicken and potato dish is perfect for weeknight dinners when you're short on time. The lemony chicken legs paired with roasted potatoes create a comforting meal that feels satisfying but not too filling. While everything bakes in the oven, you can quickly whip up a fresh green salad, giving you a wholesome dinner in no time.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is an easy way to whip up a healthy and filling meal. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and tasty. Just toss everything on a sheet pan, let it cook, and you have a complete dinner ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting dish packed with shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and brown rice, all simmered in a tasty broth with hints of thyme. It's a simple meal that you can prepare and let cook on its own, giving you more time to relax. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free, and if you prefer, you can also make it in a slow cooker.

    Get the Recipe

    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 full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. 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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken

    Slow cooker Ritz chicken with pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    An easy dinner option is the slow cooker Ritz chicken, which combines crispy breadcrumbs with flavorful spices. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do its magic, resulting in a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    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 brings comfort and satisfaction. Plus, it's really simple to prepare, making it perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of meal that brings warmth and comfort, perfect for any day of the week. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    These simple, pizza baked beans are perfect for busy weeknights! Mix some canned, drained beans with a bit of pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, and bake for a quick, cozy dinner that's perfect with a loaf of crusty bread. All done in 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

    Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crock pot chicken pot pie is a warm and satisfying meal featuring juicy chicken and fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy sauce. It cooks slowly in the crock pot, allowing all the flavors to blend beautifully. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a quick and easy dinner option that everyone will love. In just 50 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious meal featuring a tasty herb crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside. With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a deliciously sweet and tangy sauce inspired by Asian flavors. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple yet satisfying. It's a family favorite that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Southwest chicken casserole.
      26 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners Anyone Can Pull Together Fast
    • Carne guisada.
      24 Dump-and-Cook Beef Dinners With Almost No Cleanup
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      23 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Take the Work Out of Weeknights
    • Lazy lasagna.
      22 Dump and Bake Dinners That Practically Make Themselves
    • Facebook
    • Email

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Cranberry chicken with rice.
      17 Best Chicken Breast Slow Cooker Recipes Ever
    • 26 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • 20 Easy Weeknight Casseroles That Come Together Fast
    • Slow cooker tater tot casserole.
      22 Ground Beef Crockpot Dinners Guaranteed to Please Your Family

    Latest Articles

    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      15 Hands-Off Oven Dinners That Feed the Whole Crew
    • Grilled pineapple upside down cake.
      28 Light and Fruity Desserts That Were Made For Summer
    • Baked chicken breast.
      22 Simple Chicken Breast Dishes Worth Adding to Your Weekly Rotation
    • American goulash.
      30 Ground Beef Dinners You'll Want to Make Every Week

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB