I enjoy cooking! I appreciate my ‘fridge-staring self’ as well, hoping the fridge will tell me what to make for dinner. Dump-and-go dinners were my solution. You put a few things in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or baking dish, and future you gets to eat something that seems special.
These are the meals I prep for the chaotic days: the nights I have classes, the days I need to be out of my house, the days my agenda seems to be plotting against me.
Before we dive into detailed instructions, ‘no prep’ means you don’t have to chop onions or do any strenuous tasks. However, you should be capable of opening a jar and measuring out a spice (rinse, too). You can decide if you want more spinach or some lemon, it’s your dinner.
Recipes that require moderate effort, but provide great comfort and have low risk, are perfect. Missing an ingredient? You can often substitute something else.
Contents
- 1) Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken
- 2) Mississippi Pot Roast
- 3) Pesto Chicken Thighs
- 14) Spinach Ravioli Lasagna
- 15) Chicken Tortilla Soup
- 16) Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
- 17) Sheet Pan Salmon
- 18) Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
- 19) Salsa Verde Enchilada Casserole
- 25) Stuffed Pepper Soup
- 26) Sheet Pan Fajita Shrimp
- 27) Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
1) Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken
I have started to keep extra salsa like I’m stashing emergency cash because I do this really often. Just put in thawed boneless chicken (thighs will make it juicier), a jar of salsa, and a little cumin. You just need to cook it until the chicken is at 165 degrees and shreds easily.
The chicken is described as “saucy and tangy” and is flexible enough to use in tacos, rice bowls, nachos, or even a desk lunch that won’t make you sad.
Note your spice level as powdered chipotle is a strong addition to the mild salsa.
2) Mississippi Pot Roast
Attempting to recreate this dish could easily be mistaken for wizardry. With a chuck roast, ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter, and pepperoncini, you’re well on your way to concocting a meal. A meal that is rich, tangy, and salty.
I have had it on mashed potatoes, egg noodles, and once out of pure laziness, on some toasted bread. If you are sensitive to salt, you can use less of the seasoning packet and add more pepperoncini for additional flavor.
3) Pesto Chicken Thighs
Some might say that pesto is a bit more complicated than it is. Just brush the chicken thighs with store bought pesto then add some cherry tomatoes before baking.
The tomatoes will create a sweet and tangy sauce as the chicken cooks and the oil from the pesto will blend in too. I typically have this with rice, but a bagged salad is a nice addition, too.
This is my go to recipe whenever I want to recreate
Combine the chicken, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and garlic (jar garlic is totally fine) and let it simmer. ) to make a mouth watering sauce.
If it tastes too sweet for your liking, lower the amount of honey and use a little rice vinegar to help balance the sauce. While you steam frozen vegetables, pretend to get it all together and work with rice.
5) Baked Gnocchi
With hardly any effort, it is comfort at its highest. Toss shelf-stable (or refrigerated) gnocchi with jarred marinara and a heap of mozzarella, then bake until the top is blistered and the edges get chewy.
It seems a little like cheating, in a positive way, because the gnocchi cooks right in the sauce. I like to throw in a handful of baby spinach halfway through, but that’s optional, like flossing.
6) Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs
To prevent mush, add the broccoli last.
For those who like to put in a little more effort, a cornstarch slurry can be used to thicken the sauce nicely. In my opinion, second servings from picky eaters are like a standing ovation.
This is my bright dinner, especially during the colder months. Dump in chicken, baby potatoes, lemon slices, and a generous shake of lemon pepper seasoning, plus a little olive oil or butter.
Miraculously, you will have tender chicken and potatoes that look like you put in significantly more effort after only a few hours. Just add a bag of steamed broccoli and you’ll be good to go!
10) Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
I make this when I don’t want to deal with much wet food. Slice is technically ‘prep’, but you can get pre-sliced peppers and onions. For the sausage, it’s typically just a quick chop.
Toss everything with olive oil and Italian seasoning
11) BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
They also don’t mind if you get sidetracked. You can use your favourite barbecue sauce and if you feel like it, add some smoked paprika. Bake them until the sauce is glossy and the thickest part of the drumsticks (not touching the bone) reach 165°F.
I have served these with only the dubious cucumbers I occasionally find in my fridge, and I have yet to hear any complaints. Toss in some coleslaw from a bag and you are more or less catering.
White chicken chili is cozy without being heavy in that “nap immediately” kind of way. Just mix together the chicken, cannellini beans, corn, green chiles, broth, and spices and let it sit so the chicken can shred.
Some may prefer it thicker; mashing some beans against the side of the pot should suffice. For me, the addition of tortilla chips brings a satisfying crunch that enhances the experience.
13) Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
If you want the comforting dish of red beans and rice but don’t want to babysit a pot all day, the Instant Pot will be your best friend.
Simply add your beans (soaking them beforehand improves texture, but if you have a dependable high-pressure cooking time, unsoaked beans will also work), smoked sausage, broth, and seasoning.
It is also rich and smoky, and it is extremely easy to reheat.
I felt satisfied with my meal for three days in a row.
14) Spinach Ravioli Lasagna
Ravioli lasagna is perfect for people who want the energy of lasagna but don’t want the hassle of actually making a lasagna. All you have to do is get a baking dish and layer frozen ravioli, a bit of marinara sauce, and some mozzarella cheese.
Cover it and bake it until the cheese is bubbling. Even if your layers look chaotic, it will still turn out good. I always make a mess with my layers. When it’s done, sprinkle a bit of parmesan on top, and you can pretend you measured anything.
15) Chicken Tortilla Soup
With this soup, you have the impression that you stopped at a good taqueria. Pour in chicken, canned tomatoes, black beans, corn, broth, and taco seasoning, and let it cook until the chicken is so tender that it can be shredded.
The best part about this soup is the toppings: tortilla strips, a lime, and maybe a bit of cheese. With those ingredients, you will be looking forward to eating this soup, even though it is a simple soup.
16) Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is a lean meat option, which may be a good option for your family. Use a meat thermometer and cook it until the temperature is 145 degrees and let it **rest** for a minimum of 3 minutes. If you leave it on for too long, it will be dry. Just add some teriyaki sauce and a bit of garlic and ginger (if you have some) and then cook it until it is tender.
This meat can be sliced nicely for rice bowls and the best part is, the leftovers have a neutral smell so it makes it good to bring to work.
For me, a meal is well-balanced if it includes a bag of frozen edamame.
17) Sheet Pan Salmon
Salmon is my meal for the “dinner should feel like a self-care moment” occasion. Spread some Dijon on top, add a few dried or fresh herbs, and roast until the salmon reaches 145°F, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
It’s fast enough that you can do it after you’ve started to feel hungry-angry. Microwaved rice and a quick salad still feel like dinner, and they make great sides.
18) Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Pork shoulder is one of those forgiving cuts that turn you into a hero with almost no effort. Add thawed pork shoulder with onions (frozen chopped is fine), a spice rub, and a splash of broth or soda, and cook until it is tender enough to shred.
Meat freezes well. Future you will be thankful. Pickles contrast well. As one of my favorite cookbooks likes to scold, fat needs acid.
19) Salsa Verde Enchilada Casserole
Not always do I feel up to a project. Enchiladas are typically a project. You have to layer tortillas, rotisserie chicken (or leftover shredded chicken), “>salsa verde, and cheese, then bake to a molten and saucy state.
Adding a little sour cream mixed into the salsa will help make it more creamy. It seems unjust, but I guess I’ll take it: the leftovers are even more enjoyable.
20) Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
Chicken and rice is comforting in a way that makes me feel briefly tethered to civilization. Just toss the rinsed rice, chicken thighs, broth, and seasonings into the pressure cooker and make sure to have the right rice to broth ratio for a fluff afterwards. Then, follow the instructions for pressure cooking.
The use of a pressure cooker may be considered fiddly, but it actually seems to go easier when using long-grain rice and avoiding too much stirring.
I like to add frozen peas at the end to improve the color of the dish. It also looks like I put in a lot of effort.
21) Slow-Cooker Chicken Pho Soup
This is definitely not real pho but it can satisfy that craving during the week. Throw in the chicken, broth, ginger (jarred ginger is okay), and a little bit of fish sauce.
Feel free to add in some warming spices if you have them, like star anise or cinnamon.
You don’t want the rice noodles to become sadness noodles so add them last. The impression of effort will come from the added herbs and the lime juice.
22) Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogies
This is one of my favorites during the winter; it’s like having dinner while wearing a nice warm hoodie. Just put the frozen pierogies, cut up kielbasa, some oil, and some onions into a bowl, mix it, and roast until everything is browned.
You’ll likely be surprised by how quick this goes. With a creamy center, this dish is a dream to eat something with crispy edges. If you want to feel virtuous, serve this with a green salad and mustard, or use some sour cream.
23) Coconut Curry Lentils
24) Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
This becomes almost suspiciously easy if you buy pre-made chicken meatballs.
- Drench the meatballs in your favorite sauce
- Cover with cheese
- Bake until golden and bubbly
To unleash your inner adult, consider having some roasted broccoli with it.
You can also have it with spaghetti or in a sub sandwich. When I served this dish to my friends I didn’t tell them how easy it was until much later.
25) Stuffed Pepper Soup
25) Stufed Pepper Soup
I don’t mind stuffing peppers. What I do mind is how long it takes to get them to stand up like little edible vases. This soup gives you the flavor of stuffed peppers with ground beef or turkey, bell peppers, tomatoes, broth, and rice. Remember to cook ground beef to 160°F or ground turkey to 165°F.
The next day, it tastes even better.
When you make this soup, it’s clear that you have your life organized, especially if your house is cold.
26) Sheet Pan Fajita Shrimp
If I’ve dragged my feet about making a choice, then dinner will be shrimp. It’s also easy to make it spicy. Just toss the peeled shrimp and some sliced fajita peppers and onions in some seasoning and roast them until the shrimp turn opaque and pearl white.
I have to resist the urge to overcook them and so I have to keep an eye on them like a worried parent. The night will get even better if you add some sour cream or avocado.
27) Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Authentic carnitas take forever to cook, but you can get pretty close to the real thing using a pressure cooker. If you’re feeling adventurous, place a pork shoulder along with some orange juice, garlic, and spices into the pressure cooker. Once the meat is tender and can be shredded, finish it by broiling it for a few minutes to get it crispy
The joyful smell of citrus will fill the air and I enjoy it with some tacos on the side with chopped onion and cilantro. You can even add it into a hash for a great tasting breakfast.
28) Tortellini and Sausage Bake
This is the dinner I make when I want people to quit talking and just eat.
Take some refrigerated tortellini, cooked sausage crumbles (store-bought pre-cooked is fine), marinara, some cream, and mozzarella, and bake until bubbly.
Even with the blush pink sauce, the tortellini remains chewy. To enhance the meal, add a packaged Caesar salad.
