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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    35 Simple Throw-Together Dinners You'll Love

    Published: May 7, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Cooking can often feel overwhelming, especially on busy days. These 32 simple dump-and-cook recipes make meal prep a breeze, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or slow cooker without the fuss. Perfect for anyone looking to save time in the kitchen while still enjoying hearty and satisfying meals.

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

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

    This soup is simple to make with just a few ingredients and can cook all day. It's creamy without any cream, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it a light yet filling option that pairs perfectly with bread bowls and your favorite taco toppings.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage Dinner

    Sheet Pan Sausage Dinner
    Photo Credit: Well Fed Baker.

    This simple one-pan dinner is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. It's great for a hearty meal on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp are quick to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors, all made in one pan in 30 minutes or less. Pair it with coconut rice for a fun and tropical dinner any night.

    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

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Wholesome Made Easy.

    This dish is super simple and perfect for busy nights. Just throw some chicken thighs and veggies on a sheet pan, bake it, and dinner is served with juicy chicken and tasty roasted veggies.

    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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines chicken, bacon, mushrooms, and spinach with pasta in a tasty tomato sauce. It's perfect for feeding your family or a big group and is sure to be a regular in your meal rotation.

    Get the Recipe

    Easy Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco casseorle is loaded with all the good stuff: well-seasoned ground beef, cream cheese, sour cream and melted cheese on top. It's a great dinner any night of the week, and it comes together in under 30 minutes!

    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

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes

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

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes is full of fresh flavors that the whole family will love. You can prepare it ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken Stew is a super simple dish that anyone can whip up. 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 Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

    Get the Recipe4

    Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco pasta is made with ground beef and store bought short cuts like taco sauce and flavored cream cheese for a quick dish that is done easily in just 15 minutes. It's got all the flavors of tacos but in pasta form - less mess, and less stress.

    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 is tangy and pairs perfectly with plain white rice.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Crockpot Corn Chowder is a creamy soup that feels like a treat from your favorite restaurant. It's simple to prepare at home, making it a great option for family dinners.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi.
    Photo Credit: Delightful Plate.

    This pulled pork banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a soft baguette filled with juicy pulled pork, crunchy pickled veggies, and zesty sriracha mayo. Using a slow cooker for the pork makes this a simple and satisfying 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

    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 Ranch Chicken

    Baked ranch chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Baked Ranch Chicken is a simple dish that creates a creamy sauce while it cooks. This tender and juicy chicken is covered in a tasty gravy and finished with crispy panko breadcrumbs.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

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

    This creamy chicken corn chowder is a simple one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, potatoes, and veggies. It's perfect for a cozy dinner that doesn't require much work.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Add Salt & Serve.

    Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken is a simple dish that's packed with flavor and features a creamy peanut sauce. With just five ingredients for the sauce, you can quickly prepare it by mixing everything together, pouring it over the chicken, and letting the slow cooker do the work.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs are full of flavor and simple to prepare. This easy sheet pan dinner features spicy harissa paste, zesty lemon, and sweet honey mixed with tender chicken, onions, and sweet potatoes, creating a meal that cooks itself.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

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

    This soup is simple to make in the slow cooker and packed with flavor. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives.

    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 Cheeseburger Soup

    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This cheesy soup is a family favorite, packed with ground beef, potatoes, Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and seasonings. The flavors blend together perfectly, creating a delicious cheeseburger soup that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy!

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale

    Creamy Tortellini Soup with Tomatoes and Kale
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is warm and filling, featuring Italian turkey sausage for a hearty touch and fresh kale or baby spinach for some greens. It's simple to prepare, whether you use the stovetop, an Instant Pot, or a slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas on a sheet pan.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. You can have a satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes with this simple dish.

    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

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This dinner is simple and all cooked on one sheet pan. You can mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables for a tasty meal.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli casserole is quick to prepare, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish with just 5 minutes of prep. Using store-bought cheese ravioli makes it a simple option for busy weeknights, and you can even make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

    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

    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 simple to prepare. You can whip up a large batch and freeze any extras for a quick dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

    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 spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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

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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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