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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    30 Dump-and-Cook Dinners That Will Save You Time

    Published: May 9, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but dump-and-cook dinners are here to help. These simple recipes require minimal prep and let you throw everything into one pot or dish, making mealtime a breeze. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy.

    The Best Beef Stew

    Beef Stew Recipe.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This beef stew is packed with great flavors and is easy to prepare. You can make it in the oven or a slow cooker, with simple steps for each method.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala is all about tender chicken cooked in a flavorful mushroom and wine sauce, with a splash of cream added just before serving. This dish is great served over mashed potatoes for a cozy meal.

    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

    Slow Cooker Minestrone

    Slow cooker minestrone soup in a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Sidewalk Shoes.

    Slow Cooker Minestrone is a tasty and satisfying meal packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta all in one pot. It's a classic Italian soup that's perfect for a hearty dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This is a tasty roast chicken cooked in a cast iron pan, featuring flavorful grape juices and creamy Brie. It's great for family dinners and special occasions.

    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 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

    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

    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

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy is a simple dish that turns out tender in a creamy mushroom and onion sauce. This is a good dinner option for busy nights when you want something comforting that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This hearty soup is packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a complete meal all in one bowl!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

    Slow cooker queso chicken tacos.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Slow cooker queso chicken is a creamy and flavorful chicken dish that's great for making quesadillas or sandwiches. It's an easy meal that you can throw together without much effort.

    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 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

    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup

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

    Ground beef is browned with chopped onion and then mixed in the crock pot with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and spices. This is a simple and tasty taco soup that's perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Turkey White Chili

    Ground Turkey White Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Perks of Being Us.

    Ground Turkey White Chili is a simple dinner that you can make in a slow cooker. With just a little prep in the morning, you can come home to a warm and comforting meal, perfect for a chilly evening.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    A busy day calls for a simple meal, and 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot is just that. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is super easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This slow cooker White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde is a healthy and filling dish that's perfect for meal prep. You can whip up a large batch and freeze any extras for a quick and easy dinner for the family.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake requires very little prep and is mixed and baked all in one dish. This easy casserole is an excellent choice for a busy day.

    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 Shipwreck Stew

    Slow Cooker Shipwreck Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is filling and packed with flavor. With potatoes, beans, and ground beef, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    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 Hamburger Hash

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features soft potatoes, beef, and corn all mixed in a creamy mushroom sauce. Topped with melted cheese, it's a hearty meal that you'll enjoy making again and again.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that brings comfort food to your table. It's also great to have as leftovers, making it a perfect choice for busy nights.

    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

    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

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes dish is easy to make and perfect for a busy evening. In just 5 minutes of prep, everything cooks together on one pan for a tasty meal.

    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

    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. Cheesy beans baked in tasty marinara sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella make a satisfying meal, especially when paired with garlic bread.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe gives chicken thighs a flavorful kick with a simple homemade jerk seasoning. It's an easy way to spice up your dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup

    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    Crockpot ham and beans soup is a great way to use up leftover ham from any holiday. It's filling and tasty, making it a perfect choice for cozy meals on cold days.

    Get the Recipe

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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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