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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    21 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners We Can’t Stop Making

    Published: Jul 28, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding easy dinner ideas can be a challenge, especially on busy nights. These 21 simple set-it-and-forget-it meals are perfect for anyone looking to save time in the kitchen while still enjoying a satisfying dinner. With minimal prep and cooking time, you can let your slow cooker or oven do the work while you focus on other things.

    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is prepared in a slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that requires minimal effort. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set it up and let it do its thing while you go about your day.

    Get the Recipe

    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 ready-made options, you can have it ready in just five minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Busy Family Recipes.

    This slow cooker dinner is super simple, using only 6 ingredients and requiring very little effort. It's creamy and cheesy, packed with a rich garlic flavor that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for busy nights, this dish lets you set it and forget it while it cooks to perfection.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta, packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a hearty meal that brings comfort and satisfaction. Plus, it's really simple to prepare, making it perfect for any night of the week.

    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, with a nice kick from Gorgonzola, and adds a satisfying crunch from walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Zuppa Toscana

    Zuppa Toscana.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana is a warm and cozy soup perfect for winter. You can easily make it on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or with an Instant Pot. Loaded with vegetables, Parmesan cheese, bacon, and Italian sausage, it's a filling meal that's great for cold days.

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    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, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option that you'll find yourself making again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Cream Cheese

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Cream Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Salsa Chicken with Cream Cheese is a super simple and satisfying dinner option that you'll want to make again and again. The cream cheese blends perfectly with the salsa, creating a rich and creamy sauce that ties all the flavors together. This dish is not only easy to prepare, but it's also flexible enough to suit different tastes.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Tortellini is a simple and tasty meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It comes together quickly and is perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Even the pickiest eaters will love this dish, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a quick and easy dinner option that everyone will love. In just 50 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious meal featuring a tasty herb crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside. With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole

    Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines the comfort of tater tot casserole with the classic flavors of shepherd's pie, creating a simple one-pot meal. With the addition of frozen vegetables, it's filling and satisfying, while a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top brings everything together. It's an easy dinner option that the whole family will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own while you take care of other things. It combines chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a straightforward and cozy dish that works well for any evening. It combines rice, broccoli, and rotisserie chicken, all topped with cheddar cheese, creating a simple one-pan meal that the whole family will love.

    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 to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. 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

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of meal that brings warmth and comfort, perfect for any day of the week. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This pulled pork is super simple to prepare and always turns out tender and full of flavor. Using a well-marbled pork shoulder and some basic seasonings, along with a splash of Dr. Pepper, you can let it cook slowly until it's perfectly done. You can serve it with your favorite BBQ sauce or enjoy it plain on sandwiches, nachos, tacos, and more.

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    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    Baked chicken thighs with potatoes and carrots are easy to put together and full of flavor. The chicken turns out juicy with a crispy skin, while roasting the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness. This dish is perfect for a comforting dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker, and you'll end up with tender chicken that can be served whole or shredded for sandwiches. This dish is great for weeknight dinners when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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 full of flavor. It's a great option for a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in no time. With just 10 minutes of prep, it's ready in under an hour. This meal is packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying choice for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that's perfect for any night. It's satisfying and filling, ensuring you'll have some leftovers to enjoy later. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious dinner ready to go.

    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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