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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    28 Dump-And-Cook Dinners That Always Get the Job Done

    Published: May 16, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    When time is tight and dinner needs to be on the table fast, dump-and-cook meals are a lifesaver. These 28 easy recipes require minimal prep and let you throw everything into one pot or dish, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights, these dinners are satisfying and full of flavor.

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a tasty meal that you can whip up in under 45 minutes. With a rich tomato sauce made from fresh ingredients, this is a simple dinner option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This creamy chicken corn chowder is easy to make in a Crockpot, combining tender chicken, potatoes, and veggies for a warm and filling meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This 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 is made in the slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Butter Chicken is a tasty and simple dish that you can easily prepare in your slow cooker. It pairs well with pilau rice or cauliflower rice if you're looking for a Keto-friendly choice.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken

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

    This dish is a twist on the popular 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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Chicken thighs are ready in just 10 minutes and then cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce, making this a great dinner option for busy days.

    Get the Recipe

    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup

    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Bake with Jamie.

    Chicken wild rice soup is a comforting dish that's simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the crockpot and let it simmer, filling your home with the familiar scents of onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Manhattan Clam Chowder

    Slow Cooker Manhattan Clam Chowder.
    Photo Credit: The Dish Next Door.

    This slow cooker Manhattan clam chowder combines bacon, clams, and plenty of vegetables for a hearty meal. It's perfect for busy weeks and is especially comforting on chilly or rainy days.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    This slow-cooked chicken and corn soup is thick and creamy, making it feel like a comforting chowder. It's packed with flavor and perfect for a filling meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines juicy chicken, zesty spices, and gooey cheese all in one pan. With easy prep and a delicious mix of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, this is a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed pepper soup is a delicious twist on the classic stuffed peppers. It's perfect with some cheese on top and served alongside breadsticks for a filling meal.

    Get the Recipe

    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole

    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    This no-boil rigatoni and meatball casserole is a simple way to get dinner ready with minimal effort. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    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 the pot do the work, and you'll have a delicious, veggie-filled meal in less than 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes. It combines the creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the flavors of broccoli and chicken alfredo.

    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's delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzla mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy mac and cheese is made in one dish with no need to pre-cook anything. Just mix everything together, bake it, and enjoy a comforting meal that's packed with mozzarella and gorgonzola.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Slow Cooker Beef Rendang is a simple dish that requires just tossing all the ingredients into the Crock-Pot. After about 5 hours, you'll have a rich and flavorful beef stew waiting for you.

    Get the Recipe

    Copycat Wendy's Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This copycat recipe lets you enjoy the flavors of Wendy's chili right at home. With all the beans, veggies, and spices included, it's a great way to whip up a delicious meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola is a simple and tasty dinner that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes using only five ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time 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 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

    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 sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: One Pot Only.

    This creamy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a filling and tasty dish that everyone enjoys. It's simple to prepare and works well any time of the year, whether you use fresh or frozen corn.

    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

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish uses only five ingredients and has a rich flavor from beef, brown gravy, and onions. It's simple to prepare and cooks quickly, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

    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's a simple dish that comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Chicken and noodles.
      33 Easy Dump-and-Go Dinners You'll Make Again and Again
    • no boil pasta bake.
      29 Dump-and-Go Dinners for Lazy Days
    • Beef stroganoff with pasta.
      25 Easy Beef Dinners You Can Dump and Cook
    • Chicken broccoli rice casserole.
      19 Set-and-Forget Chicken Recipes That Save You Hours
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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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