• 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 » Dump and Go Meals

    30 Dump-and-Go Meals That Make Dinner a Easier Than Ever

    Published: May 20, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Dump and go meals are a lifesaver for busy days when you want something easy and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. These recipes require minimal prep-just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker and let them do their thing. With 28 simple options to choose from, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and dishes with little effort.

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a flavorful meal that you can prepare in under 45 minutes. With a tasty tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, this dish is perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This slow cooker chicken alfredo is a creamy dish that your family will really enjoy. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This one-pot meal is sure to please everyone in the family. With a tasty mix of garlic parmesan wing sauce, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, and milk, it's packed with flavor and easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Vegan Stew

    Slow Cooker Vegan Stew.
    Photo Credit: Fab Food 4 All.

    This vegan stew is loaded with root vegetables, mushrooms, and peas in a flavorful broth. It's perfect to enjoy with some crusty bread to soak up all the goodness.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

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

    This dish features tender chicken seasoned with Italian dressing and a burst of lemon flavor. It's a simple meal that comes together with minimal effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken.
    Photo Credit: In the Kitch.

    Slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken with salsa verde is a tasty meal that cooks chicken breasts in a mix of green tomatillo salsa, garlic, and spices. The chicken becomes tender and flavorful, making it great for tacos, burritos, or served over rice.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: FoodnService.

    This pasta dish is simple and comforting, needing just 10 minutes of prep while the slow cooker takes care of the rest. With its bold flavors and tender penne pasta, it's a great choice for a filling family dinner during the week.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Drumsticks & Potatoes

    Baked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Go Healthy Ever After.

    Sheet pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are simple to prepare and really tasty. The lemon garlic seasoning adds great flavor, making this a quick dinner option for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake

    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this delicious tortellini bake in under 30 minutes, following just a few simple steps. It's loaded with two types of cheese and lots of spinach for a comforting, cheesy, dinner that's still full of good stuff. Perfect for weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick 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, everything cooks together beautifully with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce in one pan.

    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

    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

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

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

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

    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

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Alphabet soup packed with vegetables is a tasty and healthy meal. Everyone will love this fun vegetarian dish!

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Chicken

    Cheesy Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Fantabulosity.

    Cheesy chicken is a simple casserole that the whole family loves, making it great for weeknight meals. This baked dish with chicken and cheese can easily become a staple at your dinner table.

    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

    4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna

    Lazy lasagna.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This lazy lasagna is super easy to prep in just a few minutes, and ready to eat in 35. With store bought shortcuts or homemade ingredients, this is an incredible dinner everyone loves.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup

    Slow Cooker Thai Curried Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: Lauren Kelly Nutrition.

    This Thai curried chicken soup is easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal. It's a comforting dish that warms you up and satisfies your hunger.

    Get the Recipe

    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's a dish that everyone will love.

    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 meals simple.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Potato Soup

    Crockpot Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Crockpot Potato Soup is a warm and filling dish that's simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It includes all the tasty toppings of a baked potato, such as bacon, cheese, and green onions.

    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 everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious meal with very little effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This dinner is simple and requires just one sheet pan. Feel free to mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce inspired by Asian flavors. This is a simple weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple and tasty meal. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables cook together on one pan, so cleanup is quick and easy.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Packed with Cajun flavor, this sheet pan seafood boil is made in the oven with shrimp and Creole spiced andouille sausages.

    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

    Crockpot Taco Pasta

    Crockpot Taco Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Pot.

    This dish is a cozy pasta meal with hearty beef, a creamy cheesy sauce, and comforting pasta that warms you up. It comes together in under 15 minutes, making it perfect 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 tasty. It's the perfect comfort food for any day.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Chicken tikka masala.
      24 Dump-and-Cook Dinners That Skip the Prep Work
    • Chicken barley soup.
      22 Dump-and-Go Dinners Worth Repeating
    • A spoonful of chicken pasta bake.
      28 Dump-And-Cook Dinners That Always Get the Job Done
    • Chicken and noodles.
      33 Easy Dump-and-Go Dinners You'll Make Again and Again
    • 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

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      22 Revolutionary Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      17 Quick and Elegant Ground Beef Meals You Need to Try
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Deliciously Simple Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      14 Crockpot Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Latest Articles

    • Sheet pan shrimp boil.
      30 Dump-and-Go Meals That Make Dinner a Easier Than Ever
    • Pasta salad.
      25 Easy Seafood Meals Made for Busy Weeknights
    • 32 Filling Ground Beef Pasta Recipes Built for Hungry Households
    • Chicken parmesan meatballs.
      24 Easy Meatball Recipes Worth Adding to This Week's Menu

    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