• 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 » Recipe Roundups

    21 Wholesome Dump-and-Cook Meals That Kids Will Actually Eat

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

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Finding meals that kids will actually enjoy can be a challenge, especially when you're short on time. These 21 dump-and-cook recipes are not only easy to prepare, but they also feature ingredients that kids love. With minimal effort, you can whip up satisfying dishes that the whole family will appreciate.

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's also great to have as leftovers, making it a convenient choice for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really tasty, perfect for a cozy meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Swirls of Flavor.

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken Chili is a simple dish that creates a tasty sauce while it cooks. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious with minimal effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines tender chicken, zesty spices, and gooey melted cheese. With just one pan and little prep, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a comforting and slightly smoky flavor that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

    Chicken thighs and pineapple sauce in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken is a simple dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors. With just four ingredients, this budget-friendly recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A simple ingredient like dry onion soup mix transforms classic meatloaf into an easy slow cooker dish. This is a great dinner option that the whole family will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple combines spicy and sweet flavors that everyone in the family will love. It's an easy dish to prepare using just one pan, filled with healthy vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta

    Southwestern Cheesy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features tender chicken, tasty spices, and a creamy sauce that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's a simple dinner option that elevates your pasta experience.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This cozy meal comes together in just 5 minutes of prep, making it a great choice for busy nights. It's the kind of comfort food that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    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 to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This Mexican Lasagna is made with ravioli, creating delicious layers without the need to thaw anything. It's great for quick dinners and only requires a few ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Peach Barbecue Glaze

    Chicken with sweet barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

    This simple slow cooker dish features tender chicken breasts smothered in a sweet peach barbecue sauce. It's a quick and easy dinner option that the whole family will enjoy.

    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

    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Frozen wontons and pre-chopped veggies make this Wonton Soup quick and simple to prepare. It's a great option for a family-friendly dinner that doesn't take much time.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Chicken thighs are ready in just 10 minutes and then cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce, making this a great dinner option for busy days.

    Get the Recipe

    Shake and Bake Chicken

    Shake and Bake Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Shake and Bake Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner featuring juicy baked chicken covered in a crispy homemade seasoning. Once you try this, you'll forget about the store-bought versions.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

    Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff is a tender and flavorful dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. It's easy to prepare and tasty enough to impress your guests.

    Get the Recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This No-Boil Lasagna takes just 10 minutes to prep (seriously!) and doesn't require you to boil the noodles before baking! This hearty vegetarian dinner is so quick, easy, and delicious that it's sure to earn a permanent spot in your monthly meal rotation.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a winner for dinner. Ground beef simmers with tasty taco seasoning, tomatoes, and corn, while the ramen noodles cook right in the slow cooker, creating a simple one-pot meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Arayes.
      12 Ground beef dinners you whip up in just twenty minutes
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      20 Slow Cooker Meals That Take the Heat Out of Summer Cooking
    • Twice baked potatoes.
      29 Memorial Day Recipes You Don’t Want to Miss
    • Tortellini casserole.
      31 Easy Dump-and-Cook Dinners for Nonstop Days
    • 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

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      22 Revolutionary Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      17 Quick and Elegant Ground Beef Meals You Need to Try
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Deliciously Simple Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      14 Crockpot Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Latest Articles

    • Tuscan chicken bake.
      18 Bold Savory Dishes That Put Sun-Dried Tomatoes Front and Center
    • Chicken.
      17 Fancy-Looking Meals Anyone Can Pull Off at Home
    • Chicken tacos.
      Cancel the Delivery: 22 Easy Recipes That Beat Takeout
    • Ribs.
      12 Delicious Crockpot Dinners Perfect for Summer Evenings

    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