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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    18 Dump-And-Go Meal Prep Dinners Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen

    Published: Aug 1, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Preparing dinner can be a hassle, especially on busy nights. These 18 easy meal prep recipes, inspired by classic dishes from grandma's kitchen, make it simple to have hearty and satisfying meals ready to go. With just a little planning, you can enjoy comforting flavors without the stress of last-minute cooking.

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together in one pan. It features chicken, fresh veggies, and a flavorful sauce that brings it all together.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
    Photo Credit: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen.

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a warm and cozy dish that's perfect after a long day. It's creamy and cheesy, making it a satisfying choice for dinner. Pair it with some crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth, and you've got a complete meal.

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    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. They turn out crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside. With a delicious mix of garlic and herbs, this dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It's a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using just a few simple ingredients from your pantry. Perfect for busy nights, this dish lets you enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork offers a straightforward way to enjoy tender, flavorful pulled pork without the need for a smoker. With the slow cooker handling everything, you end up with juicy meat that's full of taste. This dish is ideal for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending hours cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Tater tot casserole with chicken and bacon is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in the slow cooker. Just let it cook for about 5 hours, and you'll have a delicious dish ready to enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple and full of flavor, requiring only 5 minutes of prep time. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays perfectly cooked.

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    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    John Wayne casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole features tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for busy nights when you want something easy and satisfying. Just throw everything together, and you'll have a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some convenient store-bought items, you can have it ready in just five minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for those busy nights when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend about 10 minutes getting everything ready, then let the pot do the work while you relax. In under 45 minutes, you'll have a hearty meal filled with veggies and great flavors.

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    Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Sticky Oven Chicken Thighs BBQ.
    Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    Sticky Oven Chicken Thighs BBQ are perfect for any day of the week. They're juicy on the inside and have a tasty sticky glaze on the outside. These chicken thighs pair well with salad, fries, or any of your favorite sides.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes is an easy and quick meal to put together. In just 5 minutes, you can have everything ready to go on one pan, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a flavorful meal that comes together quickly in the instant pot, taking less than 45 minutes. The dish features a tasty tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano. It's a simple dinner option that works well for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This beef short ribs recipe is simple and healthy, featuring a great mix of spices that really enhance the flavor. Cooking them in a slow cooker makes them incredibly tender and easy to prepare. It's a satisfying meal that goes well with any vegetable side dish, perfect for a family dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken cacciatore is easy to make in a slow cooker. It features a flavorful sauce made with diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onions, and Italian herbs. This dish is great for summer evenings when you want a filling meal without spending hours cooking. Just prepare the ingredients and let the slow cooker handle the rest. Enjoy a cozy dinner that brings a taste of Italy to your home.

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    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti

    Slow Cooker Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features a rich beef sauce simmered slowly, combined with pasta, a creamy layer of cream cheese, and topped with mozzarella. Known by many as Million Dollar Spaghetti, it's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs

    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Peachy Barbecue Ribs are all about tender pork that just falls off the bone, covered in a delicious peach barbecue sauce that's both sweet and tangy. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you're hosting friends. It's an easy way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Ribs.
      23 Old-Fashioned Dump-and-Cook Meals Anyone Can Pull Together
    • 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
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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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