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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    21 Dump-And-Go Dinners Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen

    Published: Jul 19, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Sometimes, the best meals are the simplest ones that remind us of home. These 21 dump-and-go dinners are inspired by classic recipes from grandma's kitchen, making it easy to whip up a comforting meal with minimal effort. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes let you enjoy hearty flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken

    SLOW COOKER RITZ CHICKEN.
    Photo credit: The Cookin Chicks.

    Tender chicken breasts are cooked slowly in a creamy sauce, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. This dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for a busy night. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

    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 Cranberry Chicken

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

    This cranberry chicken dish is simple and quick to prepare, using just four ingredients: chicken breasts, French onion soup mix, French onion dressing, and cranberry sauce. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together and let it cook, and you'll have a satisfying dinner ready in no time.

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    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

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with a mix of fresh vegetables and a variety of seasonings, creating a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its simple preparation, this dinner is sure to become a favorite in your home.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This crock pot chicken pot pie is a simple way to enjoy a warm and filling meal. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are combined with creamy soups, all topped with fluffy biscuits. It's a comforting dish that requires minimal effort, perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

    Crockpot chicken salsa topped with avocados.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This dish features healthy and tasty chicken that turns out tender when cooked in the Crock Pot. It's perfect for busy nights, family gatherings, or when you want to prepare meals in advance. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This one pot meal is sure to please everyone at the table. It features tender baby carrots and red potatoes, all smothered in a creamy sauce made with ranch dressing mix and cream of chicken soup. It's a simple and satisfying dish that brings comfort to busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This creamy soup is a great option for a cozy meal. With just six simple ingredients, it comes together quickly and easily. It's an ideal dinner choice for busy families looking for something satisfying.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Salsa Chicken

    Salsa Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Salsa Chicken is a quick and healthy meal that's packed with flavor. It requires very little prep time, making it a go-to choice for busy nights. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

    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

    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 Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are a simple and tasty dish that brings together the bright flavors of lemon and the kick of pepper. With the help of a slow cooker, you can turn ordinary chicken thighs into a juicy and flavorful meal with minimal effort. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade BBQ chicken wings are easy to prepare in the slow cooker using just a few simple ingredients. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a casual snack. With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious wings that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Enjoying the flavors of a Sunday roast chicken is simple any night of the week. This dish allows you to prepare everything quickly and then let it cook on its own, giving you a warm and comforting dinner with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken

    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker chicken dinner is a simple and healthy one-pot meal. It combines chicken thighs, onions, and sweet potatoes, all cooked together until everything is tender and flavorful. Perfect for busy nights, this dish requires minimal effort while delivering a satisfying dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

    This dish is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. Just throw some chicken thighs and a variety of veggies onto a sheet pan, slide it into the oven, and dinner is done. The chicken turns out tender and tasty, while the veggies get nicely roasted. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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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.

    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

    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

    More Dump and Go Meals

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      26 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners Anyone Can Pull Together Fast
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      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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