There’s no better excuse to cook something fun than world donkey day dinners. These recipes are built for people who want something great to eat without a lot of effort. They’re bold, they’re no-nonsense, and they get the job done—kind of like donkeys. If you’re someone who likes food that works hard without making your life harder, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.
Lemon Ricotta Pasta. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.
Ethiopian Cabbage
Ethiopian cabbage stew brings bold flavor and color together in one pot with no hassle. It’s a strong pick for a themed dinner that should be simple and worth it.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash in the slow cooker cooks on its own while you do anything else. That kind of hands-off prep fits right in with what this dinner theme is all about.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash
Aloo Gobi Masala
Aloo gobi roasts up cauliflower and potatoes on one pan with barely any prep. It's a great choice when you want something straightforward that still feels like a real meal.
Get the Recipe: Aloo Gobi Masala
Green Bean Casserole
This green bean casserole takes just 10 minutes of prep, then the slow cooker finishes the job. It works well when you need something easy but still worth serving.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole
French Onion Soup
French onion soup in the slow cooker keeps the flavor deep without babysitting the pot. It’s the kind of low-effort meal that fits the theme perfectly.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup
Bibimbap
Sheet pan bibimbap brings together tofu, roasted veggies, and bold flavor in under 40 minutes. It’s simple, filling, and fits the theme with no extra work.
Get the Recipe: Bibimbap
Spicy Alfredo Pasta
Spicy Alfredo pasta is creamy, bold, and done in half an hour. That’s the kind of quick, punchy dish that fits this dinner lineup perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Alfredo Pasta
Potato Soup
This potato soup cooks itself in the slow cooker and turns out thick and hearty. Great for when you want something comforting without spending the day on it.
Get the Recipe: Potato Soup
Chana Masala
Chana masala comes together in one pot in 30 minutes with bold flavor and little effort. That balance is exactly what makes it right for this dinner theme.
Get the Recipe: Chana Masala
Leek and Mushroom Pasta
Leek and mushroom pasta is creamy and comes together in one pot in about 40 minutes. It fits the theme by being fresh, simple, and hands-off.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Mushroom Pasta
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese in the slow cooker means creamy comfort without standing over the stove. Just dump everything in and let it cook—perfect for this kind of meal.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Lemon ricotta pasta is fresh, quick, and on the table in 15 minutes. That makes it a solid pick when time is short but you still want something worth making.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Ratatouille
Slow cooker ratatouille takes simple vegetables and turns them into something bold with no stress. It works for this kind of dinner because it does the work while you don’t.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille
Pinto Bean Soup
Pinto bean soup comes together in one pot and works well on a chilly night. That kind of simple, hearty cooking is right in line with the theme.
Get the Recipe: Pinto Bean Soup
Cabbage Soup
This cabbage soup is packed with vegetables and doesn’t take much time. One-pot, low-effort meals like this are what this dinner theme is all about.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Soup
Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup made in the slow cooker turns out rich and ready without much hands-on time. It’s a great pick when you want dinner without the extra thinking.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Soup
Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup in the slow cooker keeps things bold and easy. That’s a good match for nights when this kind of simple dinner hits the mark.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Soup
Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari
Vegan kitchari is a one-pot rice and lentil dish that’s ready in 45 minutes. It works well when you want to keep cooking simple and grounded.
Get the Recipe: Ayurvedic Indian Kitchari
Easy Cabbage Curry
Cabbage curry cooks in one pot and takes just 25 minutes. That’s exactly the kind of fast, low-mess meal that makes sense here.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
This pasta brings garlic, ricotta, and sun-dried tomato together in one creamy pot. It fits right in with the theme by being rich but easy to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Stuffed pepper soup takes all the flavor of a classic and puts it into one pot. A smart move when you want something cozy without dragging it out.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup is packed with vegetables and takes only 35 minutes. That makes it a go-to option for easy comfort that’s still worth it.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Chicken and Queso Rice Bake
This rice bake has chicken, queso, and everything done in one pan. That kind of cheesy, low-effort dinner is exactly what this theme calls for.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Queso Rice Bake
Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese
Broccoli cheddar mac and cheese is creamy, fast, and made in one pot in about 20 minutes. A solid pick when you need something good without the mess.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Mac And Cheese
Potato And Sausage Chowder
Potato and sausage chowder comes together in one pot with thick, simple comfort. It fits the theme by being hearty and hassle-free.
Get the Recipe: Potato And Sausage Chowder
Maple Dijon Chicken
Maple Dijon chicken with veggies and bacon cooks all on one pan. It's a balanced meal that keeps cleanup and effort to a minimum.
Get the Recipe: Maple Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Creamy Dijon chicken mixes spinach, bacon, and mustard sauce in one pan. It’s the kind of no-stress dinner that checks every box for this theme.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
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