A slow cooker or covered roasting pan give similar results, but the cooking time is much longer, and they are better suited to larger quantities. Oven use is minimal, a plus in summer. Most recipes call for cooking times of less than 30 minutes in a hot oven, about 425 degrees. You can also forgo the oven altogether and toss the packets on a hot grill. Better to do this with foil than with parchment.
Meals are easy to make ahead.
Assemble packets in the morning and have dinner on the table in 30 minutes that night. Also, if the family can't get to the table at the same time because of dance class, soccer practice and an overtime shift at work, cook the premade packets as stragglers arrive. You can develop your own if you know something about the process and what flavors compliment one another. Bring shorter sides up first and fold twice, then double fold the ends. The 1-inch wide folds should be tightly sealed so that steam and liquid do not escape.