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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Post-July 4 Burnout? These 21 New Dinners Will Get You Out of a Cooking Rut

    Published: Jul 5, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Tell me why every year, right after the 4th, I hit a wall and have no clue what to make for dinner. Like, how many grilled hot dogs can one person eat? Luckily, these new dinners will get you out of a cooking rut without making you feel like you’re starting from scratch. They’re fresh, easy, and exactly the kind of reset your kitchen (and brain) needs.

    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

    Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    A plate of rice covered with poppy seed chicken.
    Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    This creamy casserole is filled with tender chicken, a rich sour cream sauce, and a buttery cracker topping. It’s ideal for make-ahead meals that taste even better the next day.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

    Chicken With Pesto And Pasta

    A Fork pulling out a serving of pesto chicken.
    Chicken With Pesto And Pasta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Need to up your chicken game, try this one-pan chicken with pesto and pasta, a creamy sauce enhanced with prosciutto.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken With Pesto And Pasta

    Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce

    A skillet of chicken rice and broccoli casserole.
    Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli has tender chicken, a homemade sauce and a crispy Ritz topping for a one-pot, easy to make casserole.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole With Broccoli In A Homemade Sauce

    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

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    A serving of king ranch casserole with a sliced avocado.
    King Ranch Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    Filled with layers of chicken, peppers, and tortillas, this Tex-Mex classic is rich and comforting. Make it ahead for easy entertaining or weeknight convenience.
    Get the Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese

    A spoon taking out a serving of cauliflower casserole.
    Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Creamy cauliflower pasta bake has surprise pockets of ricotta cheese along with lemon and capers and a crispy topping.
    Get the Recipe: Lemony Cauliflower Pasta Bake With Ricotta Cheese

    Johnny Marzetti Casserole with American Cheese

    A pot of Johnny Marzetti with two serving spoons.
    Johnny Marzetti Casserole with American Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage

    While my recipe deviates a little from how your grandmother made it (no Velveeta), the result is a super simple one-pot dinner that doesn’t require a lot of work.
    Get the Recipe: Johnny Marzetti Casserole with American Cheese

    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

    Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole

    An iron skillet of chicken tamale pie next to serving spoons.
    Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This tamale-inspired casserole features cornbread, shredded chicken, and a zesty enchilada sauce. It’s perfect for prepping ahead so you can relax at dinnertime.
    Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole

    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

    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

    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

    Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

    A serving spoon of tuna casserole.
    Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This creamy tuna noodle casserole is a nostalgic favorite made with tender pasta and a crunchy topping. It fits seamlessly into any make-ahead meals plan for the week.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

    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

    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

    Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

    A serving of cheesy casserole topped with sour cream and chopped green onions sits on a dark plate next to a fork. The dish, ideal for Cinco de Mayo recipes, features melted cheddar cheese and visible slices of jalapeño.
    Tex-Mex Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

    This spicy twist on squash casserole includes bold Tex-Mex flavors and a cheesy, golden crust. It’s one of those cold casserole recipes you’ll crave all summer long.
    Get the Recipe: Tex-Mex Squash Casserole

    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

    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole With Cream Cheese

    A serving spoon in a casserole dish of million dollar chicken.
    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy million dollar chicken casserole recipe is a from-scratch potluck dish that is made even better with a buttery, crumbly Ritz cracker crust!
    Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole With Cream Cheese

    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

    Creamy Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Recipe

    Creamy Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Recipe . Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Deliciously creamy Italian Mississippi Chicken with tender chicken breasts, spicy Italian banana peppers, & heavy cream. Quick 10-minute prep!
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Recipe

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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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