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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    26 Dump-and-Cook Recipes That Make Cooking Fun Again

    Published: Apr 17, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore, but with these 26 dump-and-cook dinners, you can simplify your meal prep and enjoy delicious results. These recipes require minimal effort, allowing you to throw everything into one pot or dish and let it cook while you relax. Perfect for busy weeknights, these meals will remind you how enjoyable cooking can be.

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken is packed with great flavors. A whole chicken is seasoned with butter, beer, lemon, and garlic, making it a perfect choice for your weeknight dinners.

    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

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    No-Boil Lasagna is super simple to prepare, taking only 10 minutes without the need to boil the noodles first. This filling vegetarian dish is quick and tasty, making it a great choice for your regular dinner lineup.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Chicken

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

    This Korean BBQ Chicken is a simple dinner option that uses ingredients you probably already have at home. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

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

    This is a tasty one-pot meal that everyone in the family will love. It features baby carrots, red potatoes, and a creamy sauce made with ranch dressing mix and cream of chicken soup.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This easy meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for dinner any night. With tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Slow cooker white chicken chili is easy to make with just a few ingredients and no need to cook anything beforehand. It's a filling meal that you can customize with different toppings and thickening options.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This is a simple dinner that you can prepare all on one sheet pan. Feel free to mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables!

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Caprese Gnocchi

    Caprese gnocchi on a sheet pan.
    Photo Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

    This sheet pan dinner is a great option for summer. It's an easy and tasty way to feed a large family while keeping weeknight cooking simple.

    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, creating a hearty comfort meal. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying dinner.

    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 baked to perfection for a delicious dinner any night.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup

    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup combines spicy hot sauce, tender chicken, and sweet corn in a rich and creamy soup. It brings all the great flavors of chicken wings together in an easy-to-make dish.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet pan salmon.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dinner is simple to make and only needs one pan. It features tasty brussels sprouts and salmon, making it a great option for any night.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    This Mexican comfort food is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, all cooked in a crockpot. Cold winter days are perfect for enjoying warm, spicy meals like this one.

    Get the Recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is simple to make with ingredients you probably already have at home, and it's delicious enough to be a family favorite. You won't even need to use your oven, as this dish cooks perfectly in your slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a simple and delicious option for busy evenings. Just toss everything onto a sheet pan, bake it, and enjoy a stress-free dinner with family.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Whole Chicken

    Crockpot Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This chicken turns out super tender and flavorful, and it's really simple to make. Prepare it ahead of time for quick and easy dinners during the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
    Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

    This Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus is a super simple spring dinner that cooks in under 10 minutes. It's gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and full of flavor with a tasty honey Dijon mix.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is both healthy and free from gluten and dairy. It's prepared in the crockpot with poblano peppers in a flavorful Southwest broth.

    Get the Recipe

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is super simple to prepare. With tangy BBQ sauce, tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it's a meal everyone in the family will enjoy!

    Get the recipe

    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 fill you up. It's perfect for busy nights and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    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 is delicious.

    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 and ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, this dish is a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    A spoonful of pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil chicken pasta bake. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.

    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 end up with a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked together.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Ground Beef Chili is a simple slow cooker meal packed with beans, corn, peppers, and masa harina. It's loaded with delicious Southwest flavors.

    Get the Recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Falafel bake.
      20 Easy Dump-and-Bake Dinners for Any Night of the Week
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      27 Dump-and-Cook Meals That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Stuffed pepper casserole.
      19 One-Pan Dump and Bake Dinners You Need to Try
    • Chicken piccata.
      17 Dump-and-Cook Dinners That Win Over Picky Eaters
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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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