• 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

    23 Dump-and-Go Summer Dinners That Almost Cook Themselves

    Published: Jun 25, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Summer evenings can be hectic, but dinner doesn't have to be a hassle. These 22 easy recipes are perfect for those warm nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. With minimal prep and cooking time, these meals let you enjoy the season without the stress.

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker V8 Chili

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is packed with vegetables thanks to the V8 juice in the sauce. It's a large batch, perfect for freezing or sharing with friends.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken

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

    This easy slow cooker recipe brings the classic tastes of Tuscany right to your home. It's a simple way to enjoy delicious Italian flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to enjoy a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

    Get the Recipe

    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 any day. Packed with fresh vegetables and soft gnocchi in a creamy broth, it comes together in just 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have at home.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole brings the delicious flavors of chicken fajitas right to your table with minimal effort. It combines protein-rich black beans and quinoa, all mixed together in the baking dish without any need for pre-cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is an easy way to whip up a healthy and filling meal. It's great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and tasty.

    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. With a mix of two cheeses, a bit of tang from Gorgonzola, and a nice crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    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 in less than 45 minutes. With a tasty tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this is an easy dinner option 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 the kind of comfort food that everyone loves.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Wonton Soup is quick to prepare using frozen wontons and pre-chopped veggies. It's a simple meal that comes together in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, you'll have a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This is a tasty roast chicken cooked in a cast iron pan, featuring flavorful grape juices and creamy Brie. It's great for family dinners and special occasions.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe gives chicken thighs a flavorful kick with a simple homemade jerk seasoning. It's a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This easy 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, this dish is sure to be a hit!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

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

    This dish is a twist on the well-known Mississippi Pot Roast, featuring ranch seasoning, gravy mix, pepperoncini peppers, and butter. The chicken has a tangy flavor that's perfect when served over plain white rice.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

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

    This cranberry chicken dish is simple and only requires four ingredients: chicken breasts, French onion soup mix, French onion dressing, and cranberry sauce. It's a quick and easy meal that you'll enjoy making.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    These homemade BBQ chicken wings are cooked in the slow cooker with a few classic ingredients for a flavorful appetizer.

    Get the Recipe

    Queso Chicken and Rice

    Queso Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Foodie and Wine.

    Queso Chicken and Rice is a simple one-pan meal that's full of flavor. With tender chicken, creamy queso sauce, and fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Braised Beef Short Ribs

    Short ribs.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This braised beef short ribs recipe is simple and quick, needing just 20 minutes of prep before they go into the crock pot. The result is juicy, tender meat that falls right off the bone.

    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

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Nibble and Dime.

    This shredded chicken is packed with flavor from green chiles, chili powder, cumin, and garlic. It's great for quick meal prep lunches that are both tasty and simple to make.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      15 Hands-Off Oven Dinners That Feed the Whole Crew
    • Grilled pineapple upside down cake.
      28 Light and Fruity Desserts That Were Made For Summer
    • Baked chicken breast.
      22 Simple Chicken Breast Dishes Worth Adding to Your Weekly Rotation
    • Southwest chicken casserole.
      26 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners Anyone Can Pull Together Fast
    • 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

    • Cranberry chicken with rice.
      17 Best Chicken Breast Slow Cooker Recipes Ever
    • 26 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • 20 Easy Weeknight Casseroles That Come Together Fast
    • Slow cooker tater tot casserole.
      22 Ground Beef Crockpot Dinners Guaranteed to Please Your Family

    Latest Articles

    • American goulash.
      30 Ground Beef Dinners You'll Want to Make Every Week
    • BBQ chicken thighs.
      20 Crockpot Dinners That Make Meal Prep a Breeze
    • Baked chicken breast.
      19 Cheap Family Meals That Actually Taste Great
    • Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
      25 Casseroles So Easy, You'll Want to Make Them Every Night

    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