17 foolproof dinners to make when your life gets crazy

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Finding the time and energy to prepare dinner can feel like an impossible task. These 17 dishes are easy, and stress-free, so you can put a delicious meal on the table without adding to the chaos of your already busy life.

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock pot pork chops with mushroom soup are made with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, making them a simple dinner option. The mushroom soup creates a creamy, flavorful sauce that the whole family will appreciate, and the slow cooker ensures a stress-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Piece of chicken and waffle casserole on a plate.
Chicken and Waffle Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy a twist on a classic with Chicken and Waffle Casserole, perfect for an easy dinner. With just 5 simple ingredients, this breakfast casserole balances sweet and savory flavors for a hassle-free meal to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Casserole

Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Closeup of crispy beef in a bowl with green onions and sesame seeds.
Air Fryer Mongolian Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Make Mongolian beef in the air fryer for crispy beef coated in a sweet and salty sauce, just like at P.F. Chang’s, making it an easy dinner option. This kid-friendly meal is ready in 20 minutes and will be a hit with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow cooker country style ribs require minimal effort but deliver mouthwatering results.. Peach preserves, honey, and BBQ sauce create tender ribs that everyone will enjoy, and the slow cooker ensures a hassle-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in a white bowl topped with basil.
Olive Garden Minestrone Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This easy Instant Pot Minestrone soup is a quick and nutritious one-pot meal, making it an easy dinner idea. Full of flavor and packed with veggies, it’s a healthy 30-minute meal that the whole family will appreciate.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Buffalo Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn leftover chicken into a flavorful and spicy taco filling with this easy-to-follow Buffalo chicken tacos recipe. This dish is great for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, and the simple preparation ensures a stress-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

A plate with a serving of mashed potatoes topped with two pieces of meat in brown gravy, garnished with herbs and accompanied by Brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Smothered Steak. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn a humble steak into a tender, flavorful masterpiece with this easy slow cooker recipe. Enjoy a rich, thick gravy and melt-in-your-mouth meat with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

Beef and Broccoli

Stir-fried beef and broccoli garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions in a pan.
Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Easy Panda Express Copycat Beef and Broccoli is ready in 20 minutes and full of flavor, making it a weeknight dinner win and an easy dinner option. It’s a healthy and kid-friendly choice perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ramen is a one-pot wonder that brings convenience to your dinner routine. Simply toss in the ingredients, set it, and forget it, then return to a steaming, flavorful bowl of ramen that the whole family will love, making it an easy dinner idea.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

A close-up of a creamy baked casserole with golden-brown cheese, mushrooms, broccoli in a red dish.
Broccoli Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

30-minute Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights. With gooey cheese, easy cleanup, and the ability to repurpose leftovers, this casserole is a family-friendly meal solution that comes together quickly.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp tacos with cabbage and lettuce on a white plate.
Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Conquer weeknights with these Blackened Shrimp Tacos, perfect for a quick and easy dinner. Tender, juicy shrimp seasoned to perfection with a creamy garlic aioli make this a flavor explosion in under 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Plate of orange chicken in a metal bowl from the top.
Instant Pot Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Instant Pot orange chicken is a flavorful Asian-inspired meal to make at home, similar to Panda Express Orange Chicken. It’s a quick and tasty weeknight dinner option that comes together with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Walking Taco Casserole is a fun twist on a favorite, combining all the flavors of a walking taco in an easy casserole, perfect for a simple dinner. Packed with ground beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos, it’s sure to be a family hit.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Taco Rice Skillet

Cast iron skillet with easy taco rice dinner.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This easy one-dish taco rice skillet dinner is ready in about 20 minutes, making it a quick and easy dinner idea. With only 8 simple ingredients, it brings all your favorite taco flavors together in one pan for a hassle-free family meal.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Spice up Taco Tuesday with this crock pot chicken tacos recipe, making it an easy dinner idea. Cooked with honey and lime, this stress-free weeknight meal will quickly become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Panera’s beloved broccoli cheddar soup can now be enjoyed at home, making it an easy dinner option. With its rich, cheesy, and velvety texture, it’s a cozy dish that will be a hit with everyone, and the slow cooker makes it effortless to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Taco Bubble Up Bake

A close-up of a cheesy taco casserole topped with shredded lettuce and sour cream, being served.
Taco Bubble Up Bake. Photo credit: .

Taco Bubble Up Casserole combines ground beef and taco fixings with fluffy canned biscuits for a quick, cheesy meal that the whole family will love. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and comes together with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Taco Bubble Up Bake

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