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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    22 Simple Dinners You Can Just Dump and Forget

    Published: Aug 8, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy weeknights can make dinner time a challenge, but there are plenty of simple meals that require minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker or oven, you can prepare delicious dinners that practically cook themselves. These 22 easy recipes let you dump everything in and forget about it until it's time to eat.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is an easy and satisfying meal that delivers great flavor with minimal effort. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a tender and juicy pork tenderloin alongside perfectly roasted potatoes.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Gone Rogue.

    This chicken tortilla soup is a simple dish that you can throw together in a crockpot with minimal prep. It's been a favorite among family and friends for years, proving to be a reliable choice for a cozy meal. Perfect for those evenings when you just want something warm and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is a cozy and satisfying dish that's perfect for a quick meal. Packed with fresh vegetables and soft gnocchi, it comes together in a creamy broth that's full of flavor. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this comforting soup using ingredients you probably already have on hand.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    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 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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is a simple dinner option that you can prepare with very little effort. This dish is perfect for family meals and is sure to please everyone at the table. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal that feels special without requiring much work.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a quick and easy option for a busy weekday dinner. In just 15 minutes, you can enjoy juicy and tender chicken that's packed with flavor. It's a simple dish that requires minimal effort, making it ideal for those nights when you just want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow cooker teriyaki chicken is a great option when you want something easy and satisfying. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious meal without much effort. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a hearty weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

    Slow cooker country style ribs served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cheerful Cook.

    These fall-apart ribs are incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is perfect for those nights when you want a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a great option for busy evenings when you need something satisfying with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    A meatball casserole is an easy and satisfying meal that brings together uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce all in one dish. Simply layer everything in a baking dish and let the oven do the work. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti is a simple meal that's great for busy weeknights. It has a familiar flavor that everyone in the family will enjoy, making it a go-to dinner option. Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

    Get the Recipe

    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

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Maple Balsamic Chicken

    Maple Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken.
    Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

    This dish features tender and juicy chicken breasts that require only 5 minutes of prep time. It's a simple option for a weeknight dinner when you want something quick and satisfying. Perfect for those evenings when you don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Pulled Pork Burgers

    Pulled Pork Burgers.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    Pulled pork burgers topped with a special sauce add a tasty Southern BBQ twist to your dinner. The dish has a bit of a kick that makes it stand out from ordinary burgers. With minimal prep time, the slow cooker does most of the work, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without much effort.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

    Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker recipe is full of flavor and perfect for busy days. It's simple to prepare, requiring minimal effort while still delivering a satisfying meal. Just toss everything in the pot and let it do the work for you. It's a great option for when you're feeling too tired to cook.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Busy Family Recipes.

    This is a simple and tasty crockpot meal that works well for a busy weekday dinner. You only need about 10 minutes to get everything ready, and then the crockpot does the rest. It's a great choice when you're feeling too tired to cook something complicated.

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    15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    15 Bean Soup is a warm and filling dish that you can easily throw together in your slow cooker. Just toss in the ingredients and let it simmer while you relax. It's perfect for those evenings when you don't feel like putting in much effort but still want a hearty meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This one pot meal is perfect for the whole family. It features tender baby carrots and red potatoes, all mixed together in a creamy sauce made with ranch dressing and cream of chicken soup. It's a simple and satisfying dish that comes together easily, making it a great choice for busy nights.

    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 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.

    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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