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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    31 Throw-Together Recipes Your Family Will Ask For Every Week

    Published: Apr 28, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Cooking for your family can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially on busy days. These 31 easy dump-and-cook recipes are perfect for those moments when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just throw the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a satisfying dinner with minimal effort.

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Fantabulosity.

    This chicken and rice dish is a classic family favorite that's simple to prepare in the oven. It uses canned soups and tender chicken thighs for a comforting meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that's full of flavor. With chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach combined with pasta in a rich coconut milk and cheese sauce, this is a good dinner for busy nights or a relaxing weekend.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

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

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables is a simple and tasty meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. A big sheet pan loaded with your favorite veggies and sausages is just what you need for a quick dinner on busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce in one pan.

    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 and tasty option for family dinners.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    Sheet pan beef and broccoli with teriyaki sauce is a simple dinner option that fits well into busy lives. These one-pan meals are a great way to enjoy a tasty dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is super tender and requires very little effort. This easy dish is perfect for weeknights, whether served on a plate or in a bun.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple slow cooker dish packed with fresh green vegetables. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, it's perfect for a quick family meal.

    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

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are a straightforward and tasty meal with crispy chicken thighs simmered in a flavorful garlic and white wine sauce along with juicy mushrooms. This is a good dinner option that the whole 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

    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup

    Beefy Velveeta Cheese Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This cheesy soup is a great comfort food that blends the flavors of Rotel dip and a cheeseburger. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something simple and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy biscuit dumplings all simmered in a creamy broth. It's a simple and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    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 family and friends.

    Get the Recipe

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This meatball casserole is an easy one-pan dinner that uses uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce. Just layer everything in a dish and let the oven do the work.

    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 a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe uses canned soups and pre-made rice mixes to create a simple meal. It's great for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

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

    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 have ready in less than 30 minutes using only five ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This dish features crispy, juicy chicken thighs that are cooked to perfection. With just four simple ingredients, you can whip this up easily.

    Get the Recipe

    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is cooked in a slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty dinner without much work.

    Get the Recipe

    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This dish is perfect for pasta lovers and is super easy to prepare. Cleanup is a breeze, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado features tender beef cooked in a flavorful red chile sauce, paired with warm tortillas for a simple and satisfying dinner. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast

    Slow Cooker Classic Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: Butter Your Biscuit.

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast is a great meal for the whole family. It's a filling dinner made with simple ingredients, and the tender beef is packed with flavor.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna: Crazy-Good Cheesy Meat Lasagna in a Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Crockpot Slow Cooker Lasagna is loaded with cheese and flavor. The slow cooker handles everything, from cooking the meat sauce to baking the lasagna, so you don't have to boil the noodles separately.

    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

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cooking Duo.

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a cozy dinner option that's simple to prepare and packed with flavor from everyday ingredients. It's a great addition to your weekly meals, and even picky eaters enjoy its taste and texture.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is a simple and delicious meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress at dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    This dinner is quick and easy, ready in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and more, it's a tasty one-pan meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    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

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a cozy meal packed with creamy sauce, tender chicken, and long pasta. This is a great option for chilly evenings or relaxed weekends.

    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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