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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Dump-And-Go Dinners Made for Busy Weeknights

    Published: Jun 30, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy weeknights can make dinner time feel like a challenge, but with these 19 simple dump-and-go dinners, you can have a satisfying meal on the table with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into a pot, pan or slow cooker, and let them do the work while you focus on other things. These recipes are perfect for those evenings when you want something easy and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic dish that everyone loves. With well-seasoned chicken and perfectly cooked rice, this is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Bruschetta Chicken

    Crockpot Bruschetta Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Two Pink Penies.

    Crockpot bruschetta chicken is super simple to prepare. It goes great over pasta or alongside some garlic bread!

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and quick to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it's baked to perfection for a juicy and flaky meal that's great for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This Slow Cooker Goulash is a filling and simple meal featuring tender beef in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's ideal for busy weeknights, requiring little prep and letting you enjoy a delicious dinner with no extra effort later.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow cooker pineapple chicken combines tender chicken with bell peppers, onion, and garlic in a tasty pineapple sauce. This dish brings a bit of tropical flavor to your dinner table.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes is full of fresh flavors that everyone loves. You can prepare it a day or two ahead, and just pop it in the oven when it's time to eat.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs are a great choice for a satisfying meal. With just a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, you can enjoy tender chicken cooked in a flavorful BBQ sauce, finished with a crispy texture.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, you end up with a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked together.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked ravioli casserole is a quick and simple dish that you can have ready in about 20 minutes, with only 5 minutes of prep work. Using store-bought cheese ravioli means you can whip this up easily, even on the busiest nights, and it can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Sausage Gnocchi Soup

    Slow Cooker Sausage Gnocchi Soup.
    Photo Credit: Posh Journal.

    This easy gnocchi soup is inspired by the well-loved Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. It's great for busy days because you can just set it in the slow cooker and let it do the work.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that everyone loves.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Fantabulosity.

    This chicken and rice dish is a classic family favorite that's simple to prepare in the oven. It combines tender chicken thighs with canned soups for a comforting meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. With a mix of two cheeses, a bit of tang from Gorgonzola, and a nice crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This is a comforting meal that you can prepare and let cook on its own. It features tender beef along with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a hearty broth.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This crockpot Mexican casserole is packed with all the flavors you love from Mexican cuisine. It's a simple and healthy option for busy weeknights that won't break the bank.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    These easy baked cod packs come together in just 5 minutes. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all in one, it's a simple and satisfying dinner that won't take much effort.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

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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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