The Ultimate Backup Plan for Busy Nights

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As a homemaker, I’m always looking for ways to provide comforting, home-cooked meals for my family while still enjoying them myself. But let’s be real—life gets busy, and getting dinner on the table can feel like a juggling act. That’s why I love recipes that are as simple as they are satisfying. Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is perfect for nights when I want something hearty without hovering over the stove. For a quick family favorite, American Goulash always hits the spot—it’s easy, filling, and universally loved. And of course, dessert can’t be forgotten! A slice of Bailey’s Chocolate Bundt Cake is the perfect finish, and when I’m craving something indulgent but quick, Cinnamon Roll Cake never disappoints. These recipes make it easy to enjoy homemade comfort food without all the fuss—because sometimes, we all need a little comfort without the stress.

Chicken a la King

A white plate filled with creamy chicken a la king, featuring chunks of chicken, peas, and chopped red peppers in a rich sauce. Garnished with fresh parsley, the dish sits on a wooden table with a fork nearby.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Need a tasty dinner in just about 30 minutes? Give this Chicken a la King a try! It’s packed with veggies and tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce that’s as satisfying as it is comforting. Perfect for dinner (or even lunch), this quick and hearty recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!

Get the Recipe: Chicken a la King

Bailey’s Chocolate Bundt Cake

Bailey's Chocolate Bundt Cake
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

If you’re a Bailey’s Liquor fan, you’ll love this Bailey’s Chocolate Bundt Cake. It’s a moist chocolate cake with a creamy filling. That Bailey’s frosting on top is a real showstopper!
Get the Recipe: Bailey’s Chocolate Bundt Cake

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Plate of Salisbury steak on mashed potatoes with gravy, fork nearby, bowl of carrots, glass of iced tea in the background.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

This Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak is a beloved go-to in our home. With meat and potatoes being a staple around here, this dish hits the spot! I usually serve the steaks over creamy mashed potatoes, but egg noodles or rice work beautifully too. For a simple side, I’ll steam up some veggies like carrots, green beans, or broccoli. It’s a hearty, cozy meal your whole family will look forward to!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

American Goulash

A close-up of a hearty dish featuring macaroni pasta mixed with ground beef, chopped green peppers, and tomato sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. The dish is served in a white bowl.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

We call this recipe American Goulash because, unlike the Hungarian version with paprika and chunks of meat, it’s a simpler, more familiar dish. Over the years, it’s picked up many other names—Slumgullion, American Chop Suey, Johnny Marzetti, and more. This particular version comes straight from my husband’s Grandma, and it’s a true classic in our family.

Get the Recipe: American Goulash

Boiled Spice Cake

Boiled Spice Cake
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

This old-fashioned boiled spice cake features raisins boiled in a sugar water mixture. It’s a tender, moist cake that brings in all the best fall flavors. Serve it with sweet drizzles for eve more flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Boiled Spice Cake

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats combine your favorite Rice Krispie Treats with your favorite cinnamon-infused cereal. If you love Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, this will be your go to favorite treat!
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie Treats

Chicken Noodle Casserole

A plate of cheesy chicken noodle casserole topped with breadcrumbs and garnished with fresh parsley. The dish is served on a wooden table with a blue and white cloth nearby. A metal fork rests beside the plate.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

This Chicken Noodle Casserole is a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe made with tender egg noodles, juicy chicken breast, and a creamy, flavorful filling. Topped with buttery breadcrumbs, it’s a family favorite that’s perfect for dinner any night of the week!

Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ground Beef Stroganoff

A plate of creamy pasta topped with a ground meat sauce, garnished with herbs. A fork and a green and white checkered napkin are placed beside the plate.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Beef Stroganoff with Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort food—right up there with fried chicken and okra. It’s humble, hearty, and budget-friendly, made with ground beef, simple seasonings, and an easy gravy mix. In no time, you’ve got a delicious meal the whole family will love!

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stroganoff

Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are easy to make and so tasty. Adding guacamole to your favorite grilled cheese sandwich gives it a huge leap in flavor!
Get the Recipe: Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Stuffed Pepper Soup

A bowl of hearty stuffed pepper soup topped with shredded cheddar cheese. The soup contains ground beef, rice, and chopped bell peppers, served on a white plate with a spoon nearby. A green bell pepper sits in the background.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Stuffed Peppers are a favorite comfort food, but they can be a lot of work. This Stuffed Pepper Soup gives you all the flavor without the hassle. It’s hearty and delicious, made with ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in a seasoned tomato broth. You can’t go wrong!

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

This Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake combines a moist tender cake with the best chocolate flavor. From the cake to the frosting, every bite keeps you coming back for more!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Berry Fritters

Berry Fritters
Photo credit: Sally’s Baking Recipes

Make brunch amazing with these Berry Fritters. Imagine tender bits of dough infused with berries, fried, and topped with a sweet berry glaze. It will be the hit of your breakfast party!
Get the Recipe: Berry Fritters

Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs

A plate of meatballs covered in creamy sauce, served over wide egg noodles. A portion of green vegetables and a bread roll are visible in the background.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs is one of my family’s favorites; mine too, because it’s a ‘set it and forget it’ kind of meal that gives me a break! It really is the simple things, isn’t it?

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs

Cinnamon Roll Cake

A slice of cinnamon roll cake with glaze on a white plate, next to a glass bottle of milk. A red cloth and cinnamon sticks are in the background. A fork lies nearby.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

This Homemade Cinnamon Roll Cake gives you all the delicious flavor of a cinnamon roll, but in an easy-to-make cake topped with a drizzle of vanilla icing!

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Cake

The Best Banana Pudding

A bowl of creamy banana pudding topped with sliced bananas and whipped cream, garnished with a sprig of mint. The dessert is served in a lavender dish, placed on a white and blue striped cloth, with bananas in the background.
Image Credit: The Country Cook

Banana Pudding is a Southern classic that’s been a family favorite for generations. This creamy dessert layers vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and Nilla wafers, all topped with whipped cream. The best part? This no-cook recipe combines sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, pudding, bananas, and Nilla wafers for a perfect, easy treat!

Get the Recipe: The Best Banana Pudding

Lemon Ginger Pie Bars

Shaker Lemon Ginger Pie Bars
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

Shaker pie is full of bright, tangy lemon flavor, and these bars, with their buttery shortbread base, live right up to the legend! A hit of warm ginger brings out the best in this seasonal winter dessert recipe.
Get the Recipe: Shaker Lemon Ginger Pie Bars

Artichoke Pasta

A closeup of a pineapple aqua Fresca beverage shows a pineapple chunk and mint leaves on top.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

If you look forward to artichoke season, this Artichoke Pasta will be your new favorite. However, using frozen artichokes means you can enjoy this lemony, creamy pasta all year long!
Get the Recipe: Artichoke Pasta

Mississippi Mud Cake

A slice of cake on a plate has a layer of marshmallows on top covered with rich chocolate frosting.
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

This Mississippi Mud Cake recipe delivers a dense chocolate cake base topped with marshmallows and a rich, chocolate ganache topping. Adding the topping while the cake is fresh from the oven, delivers slightly melted marshmallows that seals in the cake’s moisture. It’s a rich, indulgent dessert in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Cake

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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