Take It Easy With 29 Soft Dinner Recipes That Practically Eat Themselves
Sometimes, there’s just not enough time to spend hours in the kitchen. So here’s a cool idea: try out 29 soft dinner recipes that are super easy to make. All need is a little prep, and then can sit back while everything cooks itself. This way, gets to relax more and stress less about mealtime.

Kimchi Stew

When you need a meal that’s soothing and requires minimal attention, Kimchi Stew is a go-to. Let it simmer slowly while its bold flavors develop more with each passing minute. It’s a self-sufficient dish that fills the evening with delectable aromas. Perfect for winding down after a busy day.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Stew
Marry Me Chicken

If you’re looking for an uncomplicated yet appealing meal, Marry Me Chicken may just be your match. It’s easy to prepare; just combine and let the oven do the work. While it bakes, you can focus on other things, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing evening. It’s as straightforward as it is irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken
Leek and Potato Soup

For those cooler evenings when you crave something warming, Leek and Potato Soup offers a comforting solution. Let it cook gently on the stove as you unwind; it’s ready when you are. Each spoonful is a reminder of how simple ingredients can create a fulfilling meal. It’s effortlessly comforting and perfectly uncomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Potato Soup
Maryland Crab Cake

Embrace coastal charm with a dish that’s a true classic from the East Coast. Maryland Crab Cake brings a touch of elegance to your dinner without any pretense. Effortlessly mix, shape, and cook while you get on with your evening; it’s a no-hassle route to a special night in. End your day with the flavors of the sea that simply come together.
Get the Recipe: Maryland Crab Cake
Birria Ramen

Combine the heartiness of traditional stew with the comforting warmth of noodles in a fusion dish that’s set to impress. Birria Ramen marries rich flavors in a bowl that practically prepares itself, simmering slowly to perfection. Settle into a meal that’s a vibrant escape from the everyday, effortlessly bridging two beloved cuisines.
Get the Recipe: Birria Ramen
Best Lemon Pasta

Light and effortlessly tasty, Best Lemon Pasta offers a bright spot in any dinner lineup. It’s a dish where simplicity shines, requiring only a quick boil and toss with its lemony dressing to come alive. As you twirl the pasta on your fork, take in the ease of a meal that’s uncomplicated yet brimming with flavor brimming.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta
Million Dollar Dip

Indulge in an appetizer that’s as easy to make as it is to relish. Million Dollar Dip comes together quickly, offering a rich and creamy escape from your daily routine. Mix, chill, and serve; it’s a hands-off approach to creating a little indulgence. It’s truly a low-effort, high-reward situation for laid-back evenings.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Dip
Homemade Lasagna

Sometimes all you want is to pop something in the oven, kick back, and relax until dinner’s ready. Homemade Lasagna is perfect for just such an evening, delivering a hearty meal with minimal fuss. Layers come together like magic, baking into a cheesy delight that fills your home with a comforting aroma. It’s an easy win on any busy night.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lasagna
Air Fryer Shrimp

Let technology take the lead with a dish that’s as effortless as it is impressive. Air Fryer Shrimp are a breeze to prepare, cooking to perfection while you relax. Throw them into the air fryer, set the timer, and go about your evening until it’s time to enjoy a simple yet delectable meal. It’s minimal input for maximum flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp
Mac and Cheese

There’s nothing like a dish that you can just slide into the oven and forget until it’s time to eat. Mac and Cheese fits the bill perfectly, bubbling away to creamy perfection without needing your attention. It’s ideal for nights when you want comfort without effort. Simple, relaxing, and oh-so-rewarding, it’s a universal favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Marry Me Chicken Soup

If you require a meal that soothes as it cooks, look no further than Marry Me Chicken Soup. It simmers without any need for tending, developing a depth of flavor that’s both rich and comforting. Ideal for a gentle end to your day, it’s ready to enjoy whenever you are. It’s simplicity done right, in soup form.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup
Pasta alla Norma

You can never go wrong with a classic pasta dish that’s as unfussy as it is appetizing. Pasta alla Norma is the perfect blend of simplicity and homestyle goodness, requiring just a stir and simmer. As it cooks, ease into your evening, knowing a fulfilling meal awaits you with minimal effort. It’s pasta relaxation at its finest.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma
Beef Chili

Let a pot of Beef Chili simmer away as the evening unwinds, blending spices and ingredients into a hearty and wholesome bowl. Gathering around a dish that’s been given the time to develop deep, complex flavors is effortlessly gratifying. All it asks of you is a stir here and there, allowing you to step back and relax as it comes together.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chili
Marry Me Salmon

When dinner needs to be both nourishing and unassuming, Marry Me Salmon is an excellent choice. Prepare it quickly, then let the oven take over as you decompress from your day. It’s a dish that won’t demand much from you but delivers tremendously on flavor. Perfect for a quiet, hassle-free evening.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon
Baked Rice

Discover the joy of a dish that cooks to perfection with hardly any intervention. Baked Rice transforms a staple grain into a fluffy and tender side, all while you’re free to focus on other things. Slide it into the oven and let it do its thing; before you know it, you’ll have a comforting complement to any main course.
Get the Recipe: Baked Rice
Best Zucchini Bread

Embrace the simple pleasure of baking with a batch of Best Zucchini Bread that’s as easy as it is delicious. Grate, mix, and bake your way to a wonderfully moist loaf that pairs perfectly with your favorite coffee or tea. It’s a process that’s soothing, from the rhythmic grating of zucchini to the scent of baked goods filling the air.
Get the Recipe: Best Zucchini Bread
Italian Pasta with Salami

After a long day, cooking should be simple and enjoyable. With Italian Pasta with Salami, you just combine, cook, and let the flavors meld on their own. It’s straightforward and fuss-free, perfect for an uncomplicated dinner. Relax while it cooks and then enjoy a meal that feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta with Salami
Lentil Soup

Effortlessly nutritious and brimming with flavor, Lentil Soup manages itself on your stovetop. As it simmers, it transforms into a hearty meal that’s ready whenever you are. It’s the kind of dish that demands nothing more than a ladle and a bowl to serve. Enjoy a peaceful evening with a dish that takes care of itself.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup
Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that bring the most comfort. Whip up some Mashed Potatoes for a side that’s straightforward and undemanding. Let the pot do the work as they become soft and fluffy, perfect for a fuss-free addition to any meal. It’s dinner made easy and relaxing guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Dinner can be a relaxing end to your day, especially with Marry Me Chicken Pasta. This dish combines the ease of pasta with the robust flavors of Marry Me Chicken, all in one pot. As it cooks, it fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma, signaling that a comforting meal is almost ready. Just serve it up for a stress-free evening.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Banana Bread

Turn those overripe bananas into a sweet end-of-day treat that fills your kitchen with a comforting aroma. Banana Bread bakes up moist and full of flavor, requiring just a mix and bake approach. It’s an uncomplicated pleasure that brings a cozy conclusion to any meal or serves as a delicious snack on its own.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread
Pea and Mint Soup

Step into the kitchen and leave the day’s hustle and bustle behind while you prepare a soothing Pea and Mint Soup. With a quick blend, this dish turns into a smooth and aromatic soup that’s ready in a snap. Revel in the calm of cooking, knowing that a light and effortless meal is just moments away. Unwind with every sip of this peaceful dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Pea and Mint Soup
Mashed Potato Fritters

Reimagine comfort food with a twist that’s both familiar and novel. Mashed Potato Fritters are a clever way to enjoy a favorite side in a new form. Fry them until golden and take the night off as they practically make themselves, ready to be enjoyed whenever you’re ready. A gentle twist on a classic, they’re as enjoyable to make as they are to eat.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Fritters
Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Revamp dinner time with a fun twist that’s both hearty and hands-off. Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers come together with ease; just stuff, set, and forget until it’s time to eat. Watch your evening simplify as the air fryer works its magic, melding flavors and textures into something uniquely delicious. It’s a playful pivot on dinner that requires minimal effort but promises maximum enjoyment.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers
Mushroom Risotto

Bask in the simple joy of cooking a dish that’s both rustic and refined. Mushroom Risotto requires a bit of stirring, but the result is creamy and effortless elegance on a plate. Let the rice absorb each ladle of broth at its own pace as you wind down, anticipating a gentle but gratifying meal. It’s classic comfort with effortless upkeep.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto
Best Tuna Casserole

Indulge in a timeless comfort classic that asks so little yet gives so much back. Best Tuna Casserole combines pantry staples in a way that feels like a warm embrace. Mix it up, slide it into the oven, and then let the bubbly, golden magic happen while you catch up on your day. It’s a no-fuss, no-muss solution to dinner that’s as reassuring as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Best Tuna Casserole
Pasta Carbonara

It’s always the right time for a comforting pasta dish that’s as straightforward to make as it is enjoyable. Pasta Carbonara promises a culinary hug, crafted with ease and finished swiftly. Toss together and let the residual heat do its magic as you set the table. A meal that’s relaxing from start to finish, it makes every dinner feel special.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Carbonara
Mushroom Soup

Get lost in the soothing rhythm of simmering a pot of pure coziness with Mushroom Soup. Gently sautée and blend the ingredients as they meld into a smooth and homely soup. Enjoy how this dish practically cooks itself, asking nothing more than to be served. It’s a stress-free path to a rich and enveloping dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Soup
Million Dollar Spaghetti

Transform your pasta night with a dish that’s as opulent in taste as it is simple in preparation. Million Dollar Spaghetti is layered with cheese and sauce, baked to achieve a gooey, golden perfection. It’s a laid-back approach to a dinner that feels indulgent, allowing you to luxuriate in the ease of its creation.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
