• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    20 Dump-And-Go Favorites That Would Make Grandma Proud

    Published: Aug 20, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    When it comes to easy meals that remind us of home, nothing beats the simplicity of dump-and-go recipes. These dishes are perfect for busy days, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it do the work. From hearty stews to comforting casseroles, these 20 favorites are sure to bring back memories of Grandma's kitchen.

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup is a simple and tasty dish that cooks itself while you go about your day. With just a few ingredients like cube steak, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and some seasoning, you can have a hearty meal ready with minimal effort. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Venison Soup

    Venison Soup.
    Photo Credit: Binky's Culinary Carnival.

    Venison soup is a simple dish that you can prepare in the crockpot while you're processing your deer. It's a great way to use up meat that might otherwise go to waste, especially from the tougher cuts found in the legs. This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy meal after a long day.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This dish features tender, shredded Italian beef mixed with pepperoncini, all piled onto warm sandwich rolls topped with melted provolone cheese. It's a comforting meal that you can easily prepare in just a few minutes. Perfect for busy nights, these Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are a great option when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    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 simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's a great option for busy weeknights, requiring very little prep time and delivering plenty of taste without extra effort later on. Enjoy a comforting dish that lets you spend more time relaxing and less time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika

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

    This dish is all about comfort and flavor, with tender chicken cooked in a savory paprika sauce along with garlic and onion. It's a simple and satisfying option for dinner, especially when you're short on time. This classic recipe is sure to become a favorite.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is a simple meal that fits perfectly into busy weeknights. It has a classic flavor that everyone in the family will enjoy, making it a go-to dinner option. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Sausage Gnocchi Soup

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

    This gnocchi soup is a comforting dish inspired by the well-loved Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. It's ideal for those hectic days when you want a warm meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up in your slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

    Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and seasoned stuffing come together to create a comforting dish that's satisfying and easy to prepare. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a great option for a family dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

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

    This sheet pan meal offers a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that is full of flavor. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This easy baked ravioli casserole takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and requires just 5 minutes of prep time because you don't need to boil the ravioli first! Store-bought refrigerated cheese ravioli makes this simple weeknight dinner a reality even on the busiest of nights! It can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Barley Soup is a simple meal that does most of the work for you. It's filled with fresh vegetables, hearty chicken broth, and tender shredded chicken, making it a comforting choice for any dinner. This soup is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup With Ham

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen.

    Cheesy Slow Cooker Potato Soup with ham is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's a warm and filling dish that's perfect for busy nights. Pair it with some crusty bread for a cozy meal that hits the spot.

    Get the Recipe

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake is a simple and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. It combines the classic flavors of chili and cheese with hot dogs, all cooked together in one pan. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken is a simple and tasty dish that brings together zesty flavors with minimal effort. The combination of au jus and ranch seasonings, along with pepperoncini, creates a delicious gravy that really enhances the chicken. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    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
    • Facebook
    • Email

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Cranberry chicken with rice.
      17 Best Chicken Breast Slow Cooker Recipes Ever
    • 26 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • 20 Easy Weeknight Casseroles That Come Together Fast
    • Slow cooker tater tot casserole.
      22 Ground Beef Crockpot Dinners Guaranteed to Please Your Family

    Latest Articles

    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      15 Hands-Off Oven Dinners That Feed the Whole Crew
    • Grilled pineapple upside down cake.
      28 Light and Fruity Desserts That Were Made For Summer
    • Baked chicken breast.
      22 Simple Chicken Breast Dishes Worth Adding to Your Weekly Rotation
    • American goulash.
      30 Ground Beef Dinners You'll Want to Make Every Week

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB