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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    20 Dump-and-Go Meals for Exhausted Evenings

    Published: Aug 21, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    After a long day, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 20 dump-and-go meals are perfect for those exhausted evenings when you need something quick and easy. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work while you relax.

    Sheet Pan Caprese Gnocchi

    Caprese gnocchi on a sheet pan.
    Photo Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

    This sheet pan dinner is a great option for summer. It's an easy and tasty way to feed a large family while keeping weeknight meals simple. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a satisfying meal ready in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Gluesticks.

    This dish is all about comfort and simplicity. It comes together easily with ingredients you likely have on hand, making it a great choice for a cozy meal. Perfect for those evenings when you just want something tasty without putting in a lot of effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: One Pot Only.

    This creamy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a warm and satisfying dish that everyone can enjoy. It's simple to prepare and works well any time of the year, whether you use fresh or frozen corn. Just throw 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 want 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 Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce inspired by Asian flavors. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for those evenings when you're too tired to think about cooking.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Pina Colada Chicken

    Crockpot Pina Colada Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Candid Cooks.

    Creamy coconut and pineapple chicken is a delicious dish that brings a taste of the tropics to your table. This slow cooker recipe is simple to make in large quantities, making it a great option for busy nights. It works well served over rice, in tacos, or tossed on a salad, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy it.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for dinner. Perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in too much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something warm and filling. Perfect for busy nights when you don't feel like putting in a lot of effort, this meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    These easy fajitas are perfect for a quick family dinner when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked with colorful peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a tasty filling that you can pile onto tortillas. Add your favorite toppings, and you've got a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is sure to please everyone in the family. Packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, it's a comforting dish that's easy to prepare. Plus, it freezes well, making it a great option for busy nights when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This dish is perfect for pasta lovers and is super easy to clean up afterward. It combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying meal without much effort. Ideal for busy nights when you just want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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 quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option for when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hobo Dinner

    Hobo Dinner in the Slow Cooker.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Crock Pot Hobo Dinner is a simple way to prepare a full meal in one go. It combines a flavorful meatloaf with sliced potatoes, all cooked together until everything is just right. Perfect for those evenings when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this dish is both easy and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for those evenings when you don't want to spend a lot of time cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken in a Hurry combines tangy and sweet flavors that come together easily. The onion soup mix, brown sugar, and ketchup create a tasty marinade for the chicken. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without putting in a lot of effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes is an easy meal that mixes ranch seasoning with baby gold potatoes, creating a satisfying dish that everyone will love. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a family get-together, and it requires minimal preparation and cleanup.

    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. It combines two delicious cheeses, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and satisfying meal that doesn't require much effort.

    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. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's full of flavor. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is incredibly tender and requires very little effort. This simple dish is perfect for weeknights, whether you serve it on a plate or in a bun. Just grab your CrockPot and a few ingredients, and in about three hours, dinner will be ready.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    These baked cod packs are super easy to prepare, taking just 5 minutes of your 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, so you can enjoy a delicious dinner without any stress.

    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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