13 easy dinners to make now or regret later

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In the eternal battle between meal planning and chaotic weeknight hunger, these 13 easy dinners are your secret weapons. Each recipe turns ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals.

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

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf copycat recipe is your ticket to homestyle cooking without leaving your cozy abode. Seasoned just right and cooked to juicy perfection, it’s a slice of comfort on a plate. Who knew you could recreate a country classic with such ease?
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Kick your feet up and let the slow cooker work its magic on these BBQ chicken legs that are as effortless as they are finger-licking good. Smothered in a tangy and smoky sauce, they’re the kind of meal that makes you feel like a pitmaster without the smoke in your eyes. It’s a hands-off dinner that’ll have everyone licking their fingers and asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Taco Rice Skillet

Closeup of a skillet with ground beef, cheese and tomatoes.
Taco Rice Skillet. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Say hello to a Taco Rice Skillet that’s all about making dinner a breeze – one pan, 20 minutes, and voilà! You’ve got a tasty meal that’s as easy as it is delicious, with just a handful of ingredients. It’s the kind of weeknight win that’ll have you doing the dinner victory dance.
Get the Recipe: Taco Rice Skillet

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transform your humble chicken thighs into a culinary masterpiece with the slow cooker’s low and slow magic. This recipe is a testament to the beauty of simplicity, delivering home-cooked flavor with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of dinner that reminds you why slow cookers are a kitchen must-have.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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

Bring the taste of Panera right to your dining table with this rich and cheesy broccoli cheddar soup that’s a cinch to whip up. You’ll be wrapped in a velvety blanket of comfort food goodness with every spoonful, no shoes or jacket required. Say goodbye to the drive-thru and hello to a night in with this cozy bowl of cheesy delight.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This slow cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is like sending your taste buds on a trip to the Italian countryside, without the plane ticket. With chicken that falls apart at the touch of a fork and a creamy, cheesy sauce, it’s a copycat that might just outshine the original. Just set it, forget it, and come home to a pasta paradise.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Walking Taco Casserole

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

This Walking Taco Casserole is like a fiesta in a dish, layering all the goodies of a taco into one scoopable, munchable meal. You’ll have ground beef, cheese, veggies, and Fritos all joining the party in your casserole dish. It’s the kind of dish that brings the fun of a taco truck right to your fork – no walking necessary!
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

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

Why call for takeout when your Instant Pot can serve up a zesty orange chicken that rivals your favorite fast-food joint? In just 45 minutes, you’ll be dishing out a meal that’s bursting with sweet and tangy goodness. This is a quick and flavorful escape to the Far East, and you don’t even need to pack a bag.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Orange Chicken

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.

Get a taste of P.F. Chang’s at home with this Air Fryer Mongolian Beef that’s ready before you can set the table. In just 20 minutes, you’ll be serving a dish that’s crispy, sweet, and salty, and guaranteed to win over the kids. It’s a speedy gourmet meal that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Mongolian Beef

Chicken Stroganoff

A bowl of chicken stroganoff with bread and parsley.
Chicken Stroganoff. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Discover the joy of Chicken Stroganoff, where tender chicken and savory mushrooms meet a creamy sauce for a match made in comfort food heaven. It’s the kind of dish that’s easy to whip up and even easier to make disappear. Get ready for a belly-warming experience that’ll have everyone at the table asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stroganoff

Baked Manicotti

Baked manicotti in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Manicotti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tuck into Baked Manicotti and treat yourself to a cheesy, beef-topped hug in the form of stuffed pasta. It’s comfort food that’s got all the right moves – cheesy, meaty, and oh-so-satisfying. This dish is like the best part of an Italian Sunday dinner, but any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Baked Manicotti

Italian Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot.
Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When you’re craving a little piece of Utica, NY, this Italian mushroom stew brings the rustic charm straight to your kitchen. It’s a hearty hug in a bowl that’s just begging to be ladled over a slice of Italian bread. Dive into this stew and find yourself comforted, satisfied, and maybe a little Italian.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

On those days when time is not on your side, this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken is your savory superhero, swooping in to save dinner. Just toss in the ingredients and let the slow cooker do its thing, transforming them into a creamy, dreamy chicken dish. It’s the kind of meal that asks for seconds, even on the busiest of nights.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

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