The 4 Dinners That Cook All Day While I'm Busy

Hey Reader,

My calendar has exploded, and I'm tired. I want something heartier than the 20-minute dinners that got me through September, now that the weather is really cooling off.

That means it's crockpot season at my house. I dump everything in before I leave in the morning and come home to proof that past me was kind to future me.

Dinner's Handled Before You Leave the House

My readers made the Pork Chili more than almost anything else on the site last year, so you may have seen it in my Best of 2025 email. Pork is cheaper than beef right now, so of course I chose this one.

This Italian Pot Roast isn't the version you grew up with. It takes just a few minutes to prep in the morning, and it tastes even better the second day, so plan on leftovers.

I use garlic, onion, and not much else in the Garlic Roast Pork, and it tastes like it took a lot more effort than it does. I've been making this since my kids were tiny, and my daughter called it "corp," and it's still a winner around here.

This recipe starts with salsa, lime, and chicken in the pot in the morning, and by dinner the Tomato Lime Chicken shreds with a fork. Pile it into tacos, and dinner means you just have to set out tortillas.

Make the Garlic Roast Pork for your busiest day this week, and your future self will thank your past self, too. Which night on your calendar needs it most?