15 set it and forget it recipes you’ve never made before

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In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cook a delicious meal can sometimes feel like a luxury. Enter the beauty of “set it and forget it” recipes – the ultimate solution for busy individuals seeking flavorful, hands-off cooking. These recipes leverage the convenience of slow cookers, Instant Pots, and crock pots to transform ingredients into mouthwatering meals while you go about your day.

Whether it’s a tender stew waiting to comfort you after work or a hearty soup that cooks itself while you tackle your to-do list, this collection is about making your life easier without sacrificing taste. Dive into these easy-to-follow recipes designed for anyone who enjoys homemade meals with minimal effort.

Let’s redefine dinner time into something simple yet utterly satisfying. With modern tools like pressure cookers and slow cookers help make that happen.

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.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Set it, forget it, and come home to a comforting bowl of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup made easy in your slow cooker. This hearty soup combines tender chicken, wild rice, and vegetables in a savory broth, cooking slowly to perfection without any fuss. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for chilly days, ensuring you have a warm, inviting dish ready to enjoy the moment you walk through the door.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu simplifies a classic dish, allowing you to enjoy all the flavors with minimal effort. Layers of chicken, ham, and cheese cook together in a creamy sauce, creating a decadent meal that practically makes itself. Set your slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have a gourmet meal ready to impress, with no watching required.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

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.

Easy Chile Verde

Easy Chile Verde is a flavorful, set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal that cooks while you’re not watching, thanks to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. With tender pork simmered in a zesty green sauce, this dish requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor. It’s a make-ahead marvel that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chile Verde

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos offer a fuss-free way to prepare a crowd-pleaser. Just toss chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa into the crock pot and let it do its magic. By the time dinner rolls around, you’ll have tender, flavorful chicken ready to be shredded and served in your favorite taco shells, making weeknight dinners easy and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

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

Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers is a quick, one-pot meal that’s both delicious and hassle-free. Sausages, peppers, and onions cook together in a flavorful sauce, melding together under pressure to create a dish that’s bursting with taste. It’s a perfect solution for when you need a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers

Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie puts a convenient twist on a classic comfort food. Cook the meat and vegetables slowly throughout the day, then top with mashed potatoes before a final warm-up. This approach allows you to assemble everything ahead of time and come back to a complete, comforting meal ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs are the epitome of set-and-forget cooking. Just coat chicken legs in BBQ sauce, place them in the slow cooker, and let them cook to tender, sticky perfection. They’re ideal for busy days when you want a delicious meal that requires minimal effort and supervision.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

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.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas cook themselves while you’re away, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas. Start with chicken and enchilada sauce in the slow cooker, then roll the tender, flavorful meat in tortillas, top with cheese, and let everything melt together. It’s an easy, hands-off approach to a family-favorite dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

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

Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles is a comforting meal that’s ready in minutes, not hours. Chicken, noodles, and vegetables cook together in a savory broth, creating a wholesome dish that’s perfect for any night. It’s a straightforward, no-watch recipe that delivers a hearty meal in a fraction of the time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles

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.

Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops

Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops make an elegant dinner effortless. Stuffed with your favorite fillings and cooked under pressure, these pork chops are juicy, flavorful, and ready in no time. It’s a quick and easy way to prepare a meal that looks and tastes like you’ve spent all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Pork Chops

Pork Loin Chops with Spanish Rise

Pork Loin Chops with Spanish Rice can be easily prepared and left to cooke without constant attention. Season the chops, mix them with rice, tomatoes, and spices, then let them cook together until the rice is fluffy and the pork is perfectly tender. It’s a simple, one-pot meal that’s full of flavor and requires minimal hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin Chops with Spanish Rise

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

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers is a make-ahead dream, simmering sausages, bell peppers, and onions in a tasty sauce all day. This low-maintenance recipe allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a simple yet satisfying meal that’s ready to be enjoyed as soon as you’re home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Chicken Zoodle Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Zoodle Soup offers a healthy, comforting meal that cooks itself. With zucchini noodles replacing traditional pasta, it’s a lighter option that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Just add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, and you’ll have a nourishing soup waiting for you, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Zoodle Soup

Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs bring a sweet and savory touch to your meal lineup, cooking in just minutes. Pineapple, bell peppers, and meatballs in a tangy sauce make for a delightful combination that’s quick and easy to prepare, proving that delicious meals don’t require all-day cooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs

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

Instant Pot Beef Stew

Instant Pot Beef Stew transforms a traditionally time-consuming dish into a quick, easy affair. With tender beef chunks, hearty vegetables, and a rich broth, this stew is a comforting classic made simple. The Instant Pot does all the work, cooking the stew under pressure to develop deep flavors in a fraction of the traditional cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew

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