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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    22 Dump-And-Go Meal Prep Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy

    Published: Jul 13, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Meal prepping can be a lifesaver for busy weeknights, and these 22 dump-and-go dinners make it easier than ever. Just toss your ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, let them cook, and enjoy a delicious meal without the fuss. Perfect for anyone looking to save time in the kitchen while still enjoying homemade food.

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy dinner. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a comforting plate that everyone will love.

    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 basic ingredients from your pantry. Perfect for busy nights, this dish lets you enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours 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 prepped in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    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 definitely provide some leftovers. It's simple to prepare, so you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy evenings, this meal is both filling and easy to throw together.

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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 have a delicious meal on the table. The outside is coated with a tasty herb crust, while the inside stays juicy and tender, using only a handful of simple ingredients.

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    Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice

    Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice.
    Photo Credit: The Cagle Diaries.

    Creamy red beans and rice with a kick of Cajun spice simmered slowly in the slow cooker create a comforting dish. This meal is easy to prepare and perfect for those busy evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just let the slow cooker do the work, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This simple slow cooker recipe is perfect for a cozy meal. Chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole puts a fun spin on the traditional tater tot casserole, making it a hit with everyone at the table. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros

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

    Slow cookers are ideal for quick and easy meals, and chicken gyros fit the bill perfectly. Tender chicken cooks beautifully and is wrapped in warm pita bread, loaded with fresh vegetables. This dish is straightforward to make and is sure to be a hit with everyone.

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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, making it perfect for any night of the week. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll likely want to make again and again!

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    Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

    Slow Cooker Shredded Beef.
    Photo Credit; Lemons & Zest.

    This shredded beef is incredibly tender and packed with flavor. It's super easy to prepare, taking just five minutes to get ready. You can enjoy it over noodles, mashed potatoes, in tacos, or however you like. It's a great option for a slow cooker dinner that requires minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This recipe combines the spicy goodness of Nashville Hot Chicken with the smoky flavor of BBQ shredded chicken. It's a simple and delicious meal that brings together the best of both worlds. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and satisfying to eat.

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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. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together and enjoy a delicious meal. It features chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce, all in one pan for easy cleanup.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it cooks in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

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

    Juicy chicken thighs are combined with a simple homemade sauce that includes apple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, and a few seasonings, creating a sweet and flavorful dish. This meal is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together, let it cook, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan dinner is super easy and tasty. With garlic and herbs for seasoning, everything cooks up nicely in the oven, becoming tender and flavorful. You can have it ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick meal.

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    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple and satisfying dish that you can make in a slow cooker. Packed with fresh green vegetables, it's a great option for a light meal. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a comforting soup ready to enjoy.

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    Crock Pot Chicken Divan

    Chicken Divan Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    Chicken divan in the slow cooker is a classic dish that many people enjoy. Using a slow cooker makes it really easy to prepare, allowing you to just throw everything in and let it cook. This dish is perfect for a cozy meal at home, bringing together familiar flavors that everyone loves.

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    Slow Cooker Bruschetta Chicken

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

    Chicken cooked in a mix of tomatoes and garlic, then finished off with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish features a simple tomato sauce that adds a nice Italian touch to the meal.

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes is an easy dish that mixes ranch seasoning with baby gold potatoes, creating a meal 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

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

    Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This beef short ribs recipe is simple and healthy, featuring ribs seasoned with a great mix of spices and cooked in a slow cooker until they're tender. It's a flavorful meal that the whole family will enjoy, and you can easily serve it with any vegetable side you like.

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    Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    BBQ meatloaf is a simple and satisfying dish that brings together ground beef, breadcrumbs, and spices, all topped with a zesty barbecue glaze. It's a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. This slow cooker version results in a juicy and tender meatloaf with a delicious smoky-sweet flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken

    Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Dinner can be simple with this honey mustard chicken made in a crockpot. The combination of mustard, honey, and garlic brings great flavor, and you won't have to spend much time preparing or cleaning up.

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    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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