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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    22 Easy Set It and Forget It Dinners for Super Busy Nights

    Published: Aug 22, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    When life gets hectic, the last thing you want to worry about is what to make for dinner. These 22 easy set-it-and-forget-it dinners are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to prepare a meal with minimal effort. Just throw everything in the slow cooker or oven, and let it do the work while you focus on other things.

    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 will keep you satisfied. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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 comes together quickly and easily, perfect for those nights when you're short on time. Enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is a simple and tasty dish that uses seasoned pork shoulder cooked slowly to bring out all the flavors. This juicy pulled pork is perfect for feeding a group and requires minimal effort in the kitchen. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours cooking.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked with a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and really simple to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it's packed with flavor and baked to perfection, resulting in juicy, flaky fish. It's a great option for dinner any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This slow cooker potato soup is a fantastic dish that really shows how useful a slow cooker can be. It's creamy and satisfying, and you don't have to put in much effort to make it. This is a great option for busy nights when you have a lot going on.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes is an easy meal that brings together ranch seasoning and baby gold potatoes for a delicious dinner. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or family get-togethers, and it requires minimal effort to prepare and clean up afterward.

    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, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and satisfying meal for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

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

    Crock pot cashew chicken combines tender chicken breasts with classic Asian flavors and some veggies for a tasty meal that everyone in the family will enjoy, even the kids. It requires minimal prep time and can be ready to serve in just about three hours. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something simple yet satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Chicken chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is comforting, flavorful, and one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make! Simply add all of your ingredients together and let the slow cooker do the rest.

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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 simple to prepare and only take about 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, making this a great option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

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

    This dish simplifies making flavorful chicken with a nice kick. Along with the chicken, you just need a handful of seasonings and some Frank's hot sauce. It's a great option when you want something spicy and satisfying.

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    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is super easy to prepare. It combines shrimp and Creole spiced andouille sausages, all cooked together in the oven. Perfect for busy nights, this dish requires minimal effort while delivering a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burritos

    Slow Cooker One Pot Chicken Burrito Filling.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chicken burrito filling combines fresh veggies, salsa, Tex-Mex spices, and quick-cooking rice. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making it a hit with everyone. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is both satisfying and easy to whip up.

    Get the Recipe

    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 nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    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 everyone loves. Perfect for busy nights, it requires minimal effort while still delivering great flavor. Enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    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 prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for those nights when you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    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 great mix of flavors that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken

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

    This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will love. With just a few basic pizza ingredients, you can create a comforting dish that's perfect for busy nights. While pepperoni is a great topping, feel free to customize it with your favorite pizza toppings. It's an easy way to bring the flavors of pizza to the dinner table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl

    Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl.
    Photo Credit: Delicious By Design.

    This dish features tender shredded chicken combined with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and rice, all seasoned with onions, garlic, and a blend of Mexican spices. It's a hearty meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights. Just set it in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans are a delicious twist on traditional baked beans. With a mix of beef, bacon, onions, bell peppers, and three kinds of beans, this dish is full of rich flavors. The zesty BBQ sauce ties everything together, creating a filling meal that's perfect for any time.

    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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