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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    17 Dump-And-Cook Dinners That Will Save Your Evenings

    Published: Nov 15, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    These 17 dump-and-cook dinners are perfect for busy evenings when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work while you relax. Enjoy simple, satisfying meals that require minimal prep and cleanup.

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is easy to prepare. With just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you'll end up with a tasty one-pan meal filled with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a quick and delicious meal that come together easily. Just mix everything in one dish and bake it for a filling dinner. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This simple soup is great for a fast meal. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be saved for later by freezing. Just throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it cook. You can finish it off with your favorite taco toppings like cheese and sour cream.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a simple and delicious meal that comes together in under 45 minutes. It includes a tasty tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, making it a perfect choice for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, creating a filling meal that will keep you full. It's ideal for busy evenings when you need something quick and easy. Plus, you'll probably have some leftovers to enjoy the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker recipe is packed with flavor and ideal for busy evenings. It offers a straightforward way to serve up a tasty meal with minimal effort. Just set it and forget it, and you'll have a satisfying dinner ready when you are.

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is quick and easy, taking only 8-10 minutes to cook. With a tasty marinade doing most of the work, you can enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen.

    This recipe is all about convenience, allowing you to toss everything into the crockpot for a tasty meal with very little effort. It's perfect for anyone who loves the savory taste of sour cream and onion chips. With this dish, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    Tender pork cubes are cooked with spicy Hatch green chiles, resulting in a delicious stew that's great served over rice, polenta, or wrapped in tortillas. This meal is simple to prepare and can be left to cook on its own, bringing a taste of New Mexico right to your dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines cheesy chicken and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a filling and enjoyable meal. It's an easy choice that comes together in no time, ideal for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is quick to prepare, taking only 15 minutes, which is perfect for busy evenings. This baked salmon is topped with a blend of Greek yogurt and pesto, creating a dish that's easy to make and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare, and then the slow cooker does the rest. With its rich Cajun flavors and soft penne pasta, it's a great option for a hearty family dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dish that combines all the comforting flavors you love. It's perfect for busy evenings and works well as leftovers, so you can enjoy it again later.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is an easy dinner choice that cooks in just 50 minutes. It features a tasty herby crust and a juicy, tender inside, making it a meal that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is super easy to make, requiring just three ingredients. It's a fast and straightforward option for a tasty meal that doesn't take much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Cornish Game Hens

    Cornish Game Hens Crockpot Recipe
    Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Slow Cooker Cornish Hens are easy to make and full of flavor. They cook with fresh vegetables in the Crockpot, creating a complete meal without much effort. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious with minimal work.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is ideal for busy evenings when you want a quick meal. You can throw everything together in one pan without having to cook the pasta first. In no time, you'll have a cheesy dish full of tasty pizza flavors that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Southwest chicken casserole.
      26 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners Anyone Can Pull Together Fast
    • Carne guisada.
      24 Dump-and-Cook Beef Dinners With Almost No Cleanup
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      23 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Take the Work Out of Weeknights
    • Lazy lasagna.
      22 Dump and Bake Dinners That Practically Make Themselves
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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