Hands-off recipes for when you’d rather not cook

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In our fast-paced world, finding time to prepare a delicious dinner every night can be a challenge. That’s where the magic of hands-off recipes comes in, offering a solution for busy evenings without compromising on flavor or quality. From slow-cooked stews to Instant Pot wonders, these meals practically make themselves, freeing up your time for everything else on your to-do list. Whether you’re craving comfort food or something light and healthy, there’s a hands-off recipe for every taste.

Instant Pot dinner recipe for Easy Chile Verde.
Easy Chile Verde. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

These chicken enchiladas are a breeze to make with your slow cooker. Layer the ingredients and let them meld together throughout the day, infusing the chicken with a flavorful sauce. The result is a dish that’s ready to enjoy with hardly any effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

An easy dinner recipe featuring a crock pot filled with cheesy chicken.
Chicken Cordon Blue in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Transform a classic dish into an effortless meal with this crock pot version of chicken cordon bleu. It layers chicken, ham, cheese, and a creamy sauce to cook slowly, resulting in a decadently moist and flavorful dish that feels fancy without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

Instant Pot Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with carrots and parsley.
Instant Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This beef stew is a comforting meal that practically cooks itself in the Instant Pot. With tender chunks of beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth, it’s a complete meal that comes together with minimal prep. Just set it in the morning and come home to a warm, welcoming dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

A bowl of hawaiian meatballs over rice in front of an Instant Pot.
Hawaiian Meatballs. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious, these Hawaiian meatballs in the Instant Pot are a crowd-pleaser. Pineapple and bell peppers add a fresh twist, while the sauce creates a sticky coating that’s perfect over rice. It’s a quick way to bring a taste of the tropics to your table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

A bread roll with sausage and peppers being held in a hand
Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Sausage and peppers become a hands-off meal in the Instant Pot. This dish is a simple combination of Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions, simmering in a flavorful sauce. It’s an easy, one-pot meal that’s ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

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

ith just a few ingredients and a crock pot, you can have tender, flavorful chicken ready for taco night. The chicken shreds easily after hours of slow cooking in a richly seasoned sauce, making it perfect for assembling tacos with your favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers topped with sauce and cheese in the instant pot.
Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Stuffed peppers in the Instant Pot are a no-fuss dinner option. Filled with a savory mixture of meat, rice, and spices, then cooked to perfection, they’re a nutritious and satisfying meal that’s easy to put together.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

Easy Chile Verde

A bowl of chile verde with tortillas on the side and a linen in the background.
Easy Chile Verde. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This chile verde comes together with little effort but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Pork simmers in a green chili sauce until tender, making it a delicious filling for tacos or a hearty stew to serve with rice and beans.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chile Verde

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.

BBQ chicken legs in the slow cooker are an effortless way to get your BBQ fix without the grill. The chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce that’s both simple and irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

A bowl of chicken and noodle soup with noodles and a roll.
Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A comforting bowl of chicken and noodles is easy to achieve in the Instant Pot. This meal combines chicken, vegetables, and noodles in a savory broth, cooking up quickly for a soothing dinner on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Crockpot Shepherd's Pie in ceramic bowl on matching plate with wooden spoon and oregano garnish.
Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Shepherd’s pie in the crockpot is a cozy, comforting meal that cooks itself. Layers of meat, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping meld together to create a delicious dish that’s the epitome of home-cooked comfort.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Pork Loin Chops with Spanish Rise

A plate of rice and pork loin chops n on a wooden table.
Instant Pot Pork Loin Chops and Spanish Rice. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This dish brings the flavors of Spanish rice together with pork loin chops in one pot for a meal that’s bursting with flavor. The rice absorbs the juices from the pork, creating a tasty and easy dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin Chops with Spanish Rise

Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops

Stuffed pork chop on a white plate with a red linen off to one side.
IP Stuffed Pork Chops. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Stuffed pork chops made in the Instant Pot are juicy and flavorful. Filled with a delicious stuffing and cooked to perfection, they’re a gourmet meal that requires minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

cheesy chicken with bacon and dried parsley
Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health

This dish combines chicken with a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce that cooks slowly to perfection. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that’s great for busy weeknights, served over pasta or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops covered in gravy with parsley on top.
Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Tender pork chops smothered in a savory gravy make for a mouthwatering meal in the crock pot. This dish is comfort food at its best, requiring little prep for a flavorful dinner that cooks itself.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot

A plate of marry me chicken over pasta.
Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Known for its irresistible flavors, Marry Me Chicken comes together effortlessly in the crock pot. Creamy, tangy, and rich, this dish is perfect for a special occasion or any night you want to impress.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken in the Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and potatoes in a crock pot with peppers.
Slow Cooker Sausage Potatoes. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This classic combination of sausage and peppers simmers in the slow cooker, creating a hearty and flavorful dish with little to no effort. Serve it as a standalone meal or over pasta for a filling dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

A crock of butternut soup.
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

A creamy, comforting butternut soup becomes an easy, hands-off meal in the slow cooker. With the sweetness of butternut squash and a hint of spice, it’s a warming meal perfect for cooler evenings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Zoodle Soup

A bowl of slow cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

For a lighter take on the classic chicken noodle soup, this version uses zoodles (zucchini noodles) for a healthy twist. The slow cooker does all the work, slowly simmering the chicken and vegetables into a flavorful broth.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Zoodle Soup

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