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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    22 Dump-And-Go Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think

    Published: Aug 23, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    After a long day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 22 easy dump-and-go dinners are perfect for those nights when you're too tired to think about cooking. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta is a flavorful dish that requires minimal effort. It combines chicken, smoked sausage, shrimp, vegetables, and pasta all cooked together in a rich broth. This version is a simpler take on the classic jambalaya, making it perfect for busy evenings when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Gumbo

    Slow Cooker Gumbo.
    Photo Credit: The Cagle Diaries.

    Slow Cooker Gumbo is a great choice for a warm and filling meal that brings the taste of New Orleans right to your table. It's packed with rich flavors and is super easy to prepare. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Posole Stew

    Slow Cooker Recipe With Chicken: Chicken Posole Stew
    Photo Credit: G Free Foodie.

    Posole can be prepared in many ways, but this Chicken Posole Stew is a favorite. The main ingredient is hominy, which is dried corn that has been soaked to remove the outer hull. This dish is hearty and comforting, perfect for when you want something warm and filling without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu is a simple and satisfying dinner option that even picky eaters will enjoy. With layers of ham, cheese, and chicken, it brings together familiar flavors that everyone loves. This dish is one of the easiest chicken casseroles to prepare in a crock pot, making it a great choice for a stress-free meal.

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    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.

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    Instant Pot Pulled Pork

    Pulled pork on a bun.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot pulled pork is perfect for feeding a crowd or when dinner needs to be quick and easy. With a pressure cooker, you can have tender BBQ pulled pork ready in just over an hour, and it requires very little effort. This dish is a great option for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, especially when you prepare them on a sheet pan to make cleanup easier. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley, bringing a nice twist to your meal.

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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. 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.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet pan salmon.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dinner is simple to make and only needs one pan. It features tasty brussels sprouts paired with salmon, making it a great option for any night of the week.

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    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.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini

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

    Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini is a comforting pasta dish that combines tender chicken, mushrooms, and a creamy cheese sauce. It's perfect for those evenings when you just want something warm and satisfying without putting in too much effort. This dish is easy to prepare and lets the slow cooker do all the work, making it a great choice for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can just throw together and let cook. You'll have tender beef along with potatoes, carrots, and peas all simmered in a hearty broth. It's perfect for those evenings when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dinner is easy to prepare and full of flavor, perfect for a weeknight meal or a relaxed Sunday dinner. It's a classic Italian dish that cooks slowly, allowing the flavors to develop beautifully. You can serve it over pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

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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 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.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This chili is warm and full of flavor, and it's super simple to prepare. Just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. It's perfect for those evenings when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

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

    Simple chicken breasts can be turned into a delicious balsamic chicken with just a few ingredients. The combination of balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and garlic brings a rich flavor that everyone will enjoy. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Enjoying enchiladas can be simple and stress-free with this easy recipe. There's no need to roll anything up, making it perfect for busy nights. You can use either ground beef or ground turkey, so you can choose what you like best.

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    Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana

    Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    This dish combines the hearty flavors of a classic meal into a simple slow cooker recipe. Featuring a mix of bacon, Italian sausage, creamy potatoes, and kale, it offers a warm and filling option for any evening. It's perfect for when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. This dish combines juicy chicken with flavorful garlic potatoes, all cooked together on one pan. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much 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 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

    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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