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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Lazy Night? These 19 Easy Dinners Require Almost Zero Effort

    Published: Aug 1, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    A collage of five easy dinner dishes, like rice with beans, a rice and vegetable skillet, rolled meat with sweet potatoes, creamy chicken, and two tacos with avocado. Text reads: "19 Easy Dinners for the Laziest Nights—these easy dinners require almost zero effort.
    A collage of five easy dinner dishes, like rice with beans, a rice and vegetable skillet, rolled meat with sweet potatoes, creamy chicken, and two tacos with avocado. Text reads: "19 Easy Dinners for the Laziest Nights—these easy dinners require almost zero effort.

    Some nights just aren’t made for chopping, simmering, or standing over a hot stove—and that’s totally fine. When the day’s been long and motivation is low, these easy dinners require almost zero effort but still taste like you tried. We’re talking throw-it-in-the-oven, one-pan, barely-any-cleanup kind of meals. Trust me, your future tired self will thank you.

    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

    Two beef tacos on a platter.
    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    With only 15 minutes of prep time, beef carnitas are full of flavor all by themselves but even better with pineapple mango salsa.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

    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.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    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

    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

    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 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

    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Crispy pork carnitas in a skillet with a spatula.
    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow Cooker Carnitas start in the slow cooker and finish in a skillet. Learn the secret to juicy carnitas that finish crispy.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast 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

    Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup

    A creamy chicken and corn chowder garnished with green onions and pieces of bacon is served in a light-colored bowl. The soup is filled with chicken chunks, corn kernels, diced carrots, and potatoes. Additional bowls of bacon bits and chopped green onions are nearby.
    Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Crock pot chicken corn soup makes an easy meal for weeknights! It cooks up mostly unattended until you’re ready to serve it up for dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup

    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Barbecue ribs with a bowl of sacue.
    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crock pot dinners is all about convenience, and this recipe is the perfect example. Ribs have never been this easy to eat!
    Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya

    A bowl of jambalaya featuring rice, sausage, chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley.
    Slow Cooker Jambalaya. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya, with chucks of chicken and andouille sausage and lots of shrimp, is a super flavorful one dish meal.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Jambalaya

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

    Three stuffed bell peppers, inspired by classic 1980s recipes, two red and one orange, filled with rice and topped with shredded cheese and chopped fresh herbs, served on a light-colored plate.
    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and garlic are cooked in the slow cooker for a low-effort weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers With Italian Sausage

    Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

    A plate of white rice topped with beef and broccoli in a savory sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, with a lime wedge on the side and chopsticks nearby.
    Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Beef and Broccoli isn’t just for the stovetop. Try this slow cooker version with tender pieces of beef in a sweet and savory sauce
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    A plate of grilled barbecue ribs with a tantalizing glaze is displayed on a white dish. A black fork is positioned near the ribs, and a partial view of a bowl containing watermelon slices is visible in the background. The surface is light-colored.
    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These Coca-Cola Ribs are marinated overnight in your favorite soda for a super tender and juicy crockpot recipe.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    A bowl of chili made in a slow cooker topped with cheese and sour cream
    Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow cooker chicken chili with pablano peppers comes together in no time. Just dump in the ingredients and let the slow cooker do all the work. A healthy dinner the whole family will love.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    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

    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    A fork with a bite of slow cooker pork chops.

    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

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

    A plate of slow cooker pot roast with gravy, garnished with carrots, mushrooms, and potato chunks. A small dish of extra gravy lies in the background on a gray napkin. The meal is served on a white plate against a light blue surface.
    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is made with chuck roast and veggies simmered in a thick broth, and topped with homemade mushroom gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    A platter of rolls next to pulled chicken.
    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Pulled Chicken isn’t just for Game Night, it’s great for any time you’re feeding a crowd. It makes the best sliders.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    A serving of coq au vin
    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Coq Au Vin in the slow cooker gives you comfort food without having to heat up your kitchen. A French chicken stew with layers of flavor that would make Julia Child proud and is sure to be a family favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

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

    A serving of coq au vin
    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.

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