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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    I Wish I Had Known These Recipes Before—Dinner’s Finally Easy (and Delicious!)

    Published: Aug 1, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    A collage of four dinner dishes, including soups, casseroles, and rice bowls. Text in the center reads, "21 Dinner Recipes That Make Cooking Effortless"—you'll be saying, "I wish I had known these recipes before," from Butter and Baggage.
    A collage of four dinner dishes, including soups, casseroles, and rice bowls. Text in the center reads, "21 Dinner Recipes That Make Cooking Effortless"—you'll be saying, "I wish I had known these recipes before," from Butter and Baggage.

    Getting dinner on the table used to feel like a daily puzzle I never had the right pieces for. Now, after stumbling across a few total game-changers, all I can think is: I wish I had known these recipes before. They’re simple, satisfying, and make me actually look forward to cooking—imagine that! If weeknights have been a struggle lately, this is your sign to switch things up.

    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    A red pot full of spaghetti casserole with two serving spoons.
    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This no-bake spaghetti casserole with ground beef is comfort food at its finest! The secret to this homestyle pasta dinner is a can of mushroom soup!
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Homemade chicken noodle soup with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and herbs simmered to perfection—an easy, slow-cooked bowl of comfort.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    A fork with a bite of slow cooker pork chops.
    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This recipe produces the most tender and moist bone-in pork chops! Cooked slowly in a crockpot, the marinade is a scrumptious homemade mushroom soup.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot

    Skillet Hamburger and Rice casserole with a wooden spoon.
    Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This hamburger rice casserole is made in one pot on the stovetop for the easiest, cheesy beef dish you’ve ever made. An easy casserole for weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot

    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    A close-up image of a skillet filled with creamy cheeseburger macaroni mixed with ground beef and topped with chopped onions. A serving spoon is lifting a portion of the cheesy dish, showcasing the melted cheese and rich texture.
    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni combines the best of both worlds – cheeseburgers and pasta. It’s a comforting dish for busy weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust

    A spoon full of chicken tamale pie.
    Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage

    This easy Chicken Tamale Pie makes any weeknight dinner a fan-favorite. With a cornbread base, a rotisserie chicken and enchilada sauce, you’ll only need one pot for this recipe. An oven baked skillet dinner you can prep in less than 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust

    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    A red pot full of spaghetti casserole with two serving spoons.
    Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This no-bake spaghetti casserole with ground beef is comfort food at its finest! The secret to this homestyle pasta dinner is a can of mushroom soup!
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole With Ground Beef

    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
    Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Homemade chicken noodle soup with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and herbs simmered to perfection—an easy, slow-cooked bowl of comfort.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup With Chicken Thighs

    Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops

    A bowl of white rice topped with a flavorful mix of tuna, black beans, corn, and cilantro—an easy twist inspired by crockpot recipes. A fork rests in the bowl and fresh cilantro is placed beside it on a light surface. Another bowl is partially visible.
    Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops recipe is an easy “dump and go” dinner idea. Hearty, filling and perfect for busy weeknights!
    Get the Recipe: Southwest Crock Pot Pork Chops

    Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

    A serving dish of creamy beef stroganoff.
    Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This one-pot Beef Stroganoff is made with ground beef and homemade mushroom soup for an extra flavor boost.
    Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    A fork with a bite of slow cooker pork chops.
    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This recipe produces the most tender and moist bone-in pork chops! Cooked slowly in a crockpot, the marinade is a scrumptious homemade mushroom soup.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot

    Skillet Hamburger and Rice casserole with a wooden spoon.
    Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This hamburger rice casserole is made in one pot on the stovetop for the easiest, cheesy beef dish you’ve ever made. An easy casserole for weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: Skillet Hamburger And Rice Casserole In One Pot

    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    A close-up image of a skillet filled with creamy cheeseburger macaroni mixed with ground beef and topped with chopped onions. A serving spoon is lifting a portion of the cheesy dish, showcasing the melted cheese and rich texture.
    The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni combines the best of both worlds – cheeseburgers and pasta. It’s a comforting dish for busy weeknights.
    Get the Recipe: The Easiest One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

    Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust

    A spoon full of chicken tamale pie.
    Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage

    This easy Chicken Tamale Pie makes any weeknight dinner a fan-favorite. With a cornbread base, a rotisserie chicken and enchilada sauce, you’ll only need one pot for this recipe. An oven baked skillet dinner you can prep in less than 30 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust

    Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Steamed Biscuits

    A bowl of hearty chicken and dumplings soup is shown. The bowl contains shredded chicken, vegetables like carrots, and two large, fluffy dumplings. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley and fresh ground black pepper, and a spoon rests on the side.
    Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Steamed Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage

    This Southern Chicken and Dumplings recipe is like a warm hug. It’s the ultimate comfort food, made with juicy chicken thighs, veggies, a thick soup base, and biscuit-style dumplings.
    Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings with Steamed Biscuits

    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Pork chops on a plate covered with ranch gravy.
    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ranch pork chops recipe is made in the slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Perfect golden brown pork chops in a thick and flavorful gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing

    Three bowls of crockpot taco soup.
    Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    The EASIEST EVER Crock Pot Taco Soup! Ground beef, beans, tomatoes, spices and Ranch dressing for a soup bursting with flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup With Ranch Dressing

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    A platter of roast beef with carrots and potatoes.
    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This fall apart, melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker pot roast recipe is complete with veggies and gravy. Classic recipe for weeknights or Sunday supper.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Easy Chicken And French Onion Soup Casserole

    Easy Chicken And French Onion Soup Casserole. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    French onion soup mix, a few pantry ingredents, chicken, and a slow cooker, you’ll have a hearty and satisfying one-pot casserole dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken And French Onion Soup Casserole

    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    A serving fork removing slices of slow cooked pork tenderloin.
    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Juicy and tender pork tenderloin is paired with sweet potatoes and cooked for hours in a slow cooker for an easy and decadent meal.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole

    Southwest chicken and rice in a pot with a spoon.
    One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This simple Southwestern one pot Chicken and Rice can be made start to finish in forty minutes with rotisserie chicken, cheese, and rice.
    Get the Recipe: One Pot Southwest Chicken And Rice Casserole

    Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese

    A bowl of slow cooker chicken salsa chili.
    Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Chicken Chili Crock Pot recipe is light, fresh and delicious. Just dump the ingredients into your crockpot so you come home to an easy dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Chili With Cream Cheese

    Don’t Bake It—Fake It! 29 Easy No Bake Desserts Anyone Can Make

    A collage of desserts including lemon pie, banana pudding in a glass dish, strawberry bars, coconut bars, and a pink strawberry cake with fresh strawberries—perfect endings after dinner in 30 minutes.
    Don’t Bake It—Fake It! 29 Easy No Bake Desserts Anyone Can Make. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Whenever I’m craving something sweet but can’t deal with the oven, I remember all those easy no bake desserts anyone can make with just a few pantry staples.
    Get the Recipe: Don’t Bake It—Fake It! 29 Easy No Bake Desserts Anyone Can Make

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

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