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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    23 Set It and Forget It Dinners to Try This Week

    Published: Aug 27, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding time to cook during a busy week can be tough, but with these 23 easy dinners, you can set them up and let them cook while you focus on other things. From slow-cooked stews to simple sheet pan meals, these recipes are designed to be hassle-free and satisfying. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals without the stress of constant monitoring.

    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs

    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Peachy Barbecue Ribs are all about tender pork that just falls off the bone, covered in a delicious peach barbecue sauce that's both sweet and tangy. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress friends 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 for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala features tender chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and wine sauce, with a touch of cream stirred in just before serving. This dish is perfect served over mashed potatoes, making it a comforting meal for busy nights. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole is a straightforward and cozy dish that you can prepare all in one pot. It's perfect for using up leftover chicken and combines simple ingredients like biscuits, frozen vegetables, and cheese. This meal is ideal for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ground beef is browned with some chopped onion, then tossed into the crock pot along with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and a few spices. This creates a simple and tasty taco soup that's perfect for busy nights. It's an easy meal that you can set and forget, allowing you to focus on other things while it cooks.

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    Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken

    Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow cooker no-peek chicken is a simple dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful onions, and rice all in one pot. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work for you.

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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.

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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 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.

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    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

    Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    This Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting dish packed with shredded chicken, veggies, and brown rice, all simmered in a tasty broth with thyme. It's a simple meal that you can prepare without much effort, making it perfect for busy nights. Plus, it's gluten-free and comes with slow cooker instructions if you prefer that method.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

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

    Chicken tinga features tender shredded chicken cooked in a flavorful spicy sauce with onions, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This easy Mexican dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a great way to switch up your dinner routine and enjoy a tasty meal with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

    Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie {with Biscuits}.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This crock pot chicken pot pie is a simple way to enjoy a warm and filling meal. Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are combined with creamy soups, all topped with fluffy biscuits. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    With just a handful of ingredients and no pre-cooking required, slow cooker white chicken chili is every bit as satisfying as it is simple. Check the recipe notes for two options for thickening the chili with or without dairy and lots of options for toppings.

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    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken is a simple and delicious meal that features tender chicken smothered in a creamy peanut sauce. With just five ingredients for the sauce, it's easy to prepare. You only need to mix the sauce ingredients, pour them over the chicken, and let the slow cooker do the work. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread

    Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread
    Photo Credit: Style and Grace.

    Dinner can be ready in just 20 minutes with only a few ingredients. These cheesy beans are baked in a tasty marinara sauce and topped with a layer of gooey mozzarella. Pair it with some garlic bread for a satisfying 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 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.

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    Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This dish combines the creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the hearty flavors of broccoli and chicken alfredo. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe brings together comfort food favorites in a way that's both easy and delicious.

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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 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.

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    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.

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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, making it a great choice for dinner. With just 5 minutes of prep, you can set it in the slow cooker and let it do its thing. It's perfect for serving over noodles, mashed potatoes, or in tacos. This is a simple and convenient meal for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Transform simple chicken pasta into a flavorful Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with just one key ingredient: pesto sauce. With a handful of other ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have a tasty meal on the table quickly. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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

    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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