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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    29 Dump-and-Cook Recipes That Save You Hours

    Published: May 1, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    If you're looking for easy dinner ideas that require minimal effort, dump-and-cook meals are the way to go. These recipes let you throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it do the work for you. With 29 different options, you can enjoy a variety of flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Maple Mustard Salmon

    Maple Mustard Salmon - Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Maple mustard salmon is a super easy weeknight dinner that you can have ready in just 40 minutes, with most of that time spent letting everything roast in the oven. The sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce brings together cubed sweet potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon fillets for a tasty and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    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

    Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is filled with white beans, shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and some veggies, making it a tasty option for everyone. The prep is quick and it's simple to put together.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as you just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker. They can be served as whole pieces or shredded for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches, making them great for weeknight dinners.

    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

    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

    Baked salmon with crispy topping.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This sheet pan dinner is perfect for nights when you just want an easy meal. With a crispy coating and zesty flavors, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    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

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli casserole is quick and simple, taking only about 20 minutes to prepare with just 5 minutes of prep time since there's no need to boil the ravioli. Using store-bought cheese ravioli makes it perfect for busy nights, and you can even prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge or freezer.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker American Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Slow Cooker American Goulash is a hearty meal packed with beef and vegetables. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

    Slow cooker black bean soup.
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is easy to make with just a few ingredients and can cook all day. It's creamy without any cream, vegetarian, and gluten-free, perfect to serve in bread bowls topped with your favorite taco fixings.

    Get the recipe

    Potato Soup

    Potato soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This potato soup is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, letting the slow cooker handle most of the cooking. It's perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting Sunday dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Queso Chicken and Rice

    Queso Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Foodie and Wine.

    Queso Chicken and Rice is a simple one-pan meal that's full of flavor. With tender chicken, creamy queso sauce, and fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner.

    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

    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor, offering a crispy exterior and juicy interior. They're generously seasoned with garlic and herbs for a delicious 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

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This dish features a tender turkey breast roasted with garlic and butter, served on a bed of vibrant low-carb vegetables. It's a simple, one-pan meal that's packed with protein and perfect for a quick dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Food Blog.

    Slow cooker cream cheese chicken chili is an easy dish filled with protein, veggies, and Tex-Mex flavors. The cream cheese adds a rich and creamy texture, making it a comforting meal.

    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

    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

    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    John Wayne casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole is packed with tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a simple dish that satisfies and is perfect for busy nights.

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    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 and quick dinner option for busy nights. These one-pan meals are a great way to enjoy a tasty dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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 just right. With only four ingredients, it's simple to prepare from scratch.

    Get the Recipe

    Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This dish is easy to prepare and really delicious. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, it's a cozy vegetarian casserole that you'll want to make over and over.

    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

    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 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 putting in a lot of 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

    Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

    A bowl of Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Eat Your Beets.

    Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese is a tasty mix of chili and macaroni that cooks slowly for a comforting meal. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something hearty without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is a cozy and satisfying meal that's perfect for any day. Packed with fresh vegetables and soft gnocchi in a creamy broth, it comes together in just 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have at home.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Vegan gnocchi soup.
      28 Dump-and-Cook Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love
    • Fajita casserole.
      22 Hearty Toss-and-Bake Meals You Can Make Real Quick
    • Chicken.
      18 Family-Favorite Dump-and-Bake Recipes Everyone Loves
    • no boil pasta bake.
      16 Simple Beef Dinners You Just Dump and Bake
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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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