Take It Easy: Dinners That Practically Make Themselves

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Let’s focus on meals requiring minimal preparation and cooking time, if any, making dinner a stress-free affair. Imagine dishes like slow cooker soups that require very little work, easy no-cook salads and one-pan casseroles that are so easy to make.

These recipes are designed for those busy evenings when you have little time or energy to spare but still crave a wholesome, home-cooked meal. They are perfect for anyone looking to cut down on kitchen time while still enjoying delicious, satisfying dinners. Say goodbye to lengthy prep and cooking times, and welcome a world of quick, delightful dinners that practically make themselves.

A bowl of cheese soup with bacon and croutons.
Beer Cheese Soup. Photo Credit: Little House Big Alaska.
A crock pot filled with beef and peppers.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

his recipe combines slices of beef with bell peppers and onions, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, savory gravy. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth pepper steak, perfect for an easy, flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Antipasto Salad

Bursting with the flavors of Italy, this salad features an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and fresh vegetables, all drizzled with a robust Italian dressing. It’s a colorful, hearty dish that works perfectly as a meal or a substantial side.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

A baking dish full of stuffed chicken breasts.
Stuffed Chicken. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Stuffed Chicken

Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with a flavorful filling of cheese, herbs, and breadcrumbs, then baked until golden and juicy. This dish is an elegant and satisfying option that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken

Hearty Pumpkin Chili

This unique chili combines the sweetness of pumpkin with the heartiness of beans and ground meat, spiced up with a blend of chili seasonings. It’s a perfect autumn or winter dish, offering a comforting, flavorful twist on traditional chili.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Pumpkin Chili

A crock of butternut soup.
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Creamy and comforting, this butternut squash soup is enhanced with a blend of herbs and spices, all slow-cooked for deep, developed flavors. It’s a warm, nourishing dish that’s effortlessly prepared in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup in a spoon over a bowl of soup.
Chicken and Gnocchi Soup. Photo Credit: Little House Big Alaska

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A creamy, rich soup that combines succulent chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh vegetables in a savory broth. It’s a comforting and filling meal that’s both easy to make and delightful to eat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

This comforting dish features chunks of tender chicken and soft, fluffy dumplings simmered in a thick, savory broth. It’s a classic comfort food that’s simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

A salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and dressing on a plate.
Club Sandwich Salad. Photo Credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Club Sandwich Salad

This deconstructed club sandwich in salad form offers layers of chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce, topped with a creamy dressing. It’s a playful, lighter alternative to the traditional sandwich, packed with all the familiar flavors.
Get the Recipe: Club Sandwich Salad

Pork Chops and Stuffing Casserole

Juicy pork chops are layered with a savory stuffing mix and baked together to create a deliciously comforting casserole. This easy-to-make dish is a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Stuffing Casserole

A spoon holidng sausage and tortellini soup over a bowl of soup.
Sausage Tortellini Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Sausage Tortellini Soup

A hearty and flavorful soup featuring Italian sausage, cheese-filled tortellini, and vegetables in a rich tomato broth. It’s a warming and satisfying meal that combines all the comforts of Italian cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Tortellini Soup

Creamy Mushroom Soup

This soup showcases the earthy depth of mushrooms blended into a smooth, creamy base. It’s a luxurious and comforting dish, perfect for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Soup

Roast beef, potatoes, and carrots in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A classic comfort food, this pot roast is slow-cooked until the meat is tender and succulent, surrounded by a medley of vegetables and a rich, flavorful gravy. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that’s ideal for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Black Eyed Pea Soup

A hearty and flavorful soup, this dish combines black-eyed peas with vegetables and spices, offering a comforting and nutritious meal. It’s often eaten for good luck and prosperity, making it a perfect start to the New Year.
Get the Recipe: Black Eyed Pea Soup

Beer Cheese Soup

A rich and creamy soup that combines the bold flavors of beer and cheese, often complemented with vegetables and garnished with crumbled bacon. This indulgent dish is a favorite in pubs and perfect for those who love a hearty, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup

Cobb Salad

This filling salad is a colorful medley of chopped lettuce, chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, and blue cheese, all drizzled with your choice of dressing. It’s a classic American dish that’s both nutritious and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

A close up of cheese and cream soup in a crock.
Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu


In this Chicken Cordon Bleu Slow Cooker Casserole, chicken breasts, ham, and Swiss cheese are layered and cooked with a cream soup, and a surprise secret ingredient. This recipe melds classic flavors in an effortless slow cooker method. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs, this dish offers the elegance of traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu with the ease of a set-and-forget casserole.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

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