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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    28 Dump-and-Cook Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love

    Published: May 4, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy weeknights can make dinner time a challenge, but with these 28 dump-and-cook dinners, you can have a satisfying meal on the table with minimal effort. These recipes are perfect for families, combining simple ingredients that come together in one pot or pan, making cleanup a breeze. From hearty casseroles to flavorful stews, these meals are sure to please everyone at the table.

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: One Pot Only.

    This creamy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a comforting dish that the whole family will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and works well any time of the year, whether you use fresh or frozen corn.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes. It combines the creamy goodness of mac and cheese with the flavors of broccoli and chicken alfredo.

    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

    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 often.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Crockpot Tortellini

    A bowl filled with Creamy Crockpot Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Creamy Crock Pot Tortellini is a simple and tasty dish that comes together quickly. With frozen tortellini simmered in a rich sauce, this pasta meal is sure to please the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Slow cooker pork carnitas are simple to prepare, needing only 10 minutes of your time before they cook all afternoon. With tender shredded pork and crispy bits wrapped in soft flour tortillas, topped with onion and cilantro, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

    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

    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

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Butter Chicken is a creamy and tasty dish that's simple to prepare in your slow cooker. Pair it with pilau rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken in a Hurry is a simple and tasty crockpot dish that combines tender chicken with onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and Russian dressing for a sweet and tangy flavor. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without a lot of work.

    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

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken is covered in a rich, creamy sauce with wonderful Mediterranean flavors. It's a simple and tasty dinner that you can prepare ahead of time for a busy weeknight.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all cooked in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    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

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate vegan comfort food! It's loaded with tons of veggies, and pillowy soft gnocchi in a creamy, flavorful broth. It takes just 30 minutes from start to finish with simple ingredients you've likely got in the kitchen already!

    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

    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

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in the crockpot for a simple dinner that everyone will love. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal that's full of flavor.

    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 combines the hearty flavors of chili and creamy mac and cheese, all cooked together in one pot. This is a simple and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry.
    Photo Credit: Veena Azmanov.

    This Indian lamb curry is super easy to make; just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. The lamb cooks with flavorful curry powder and creamy coconut milk until it's nice and tender.

    Get the Recipe

    3-Ingredient Chili

    Chili.
    Photo credit: Manila Spoon.

    This chili is simple to prepare and can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. It's a delicious meal that everyone in the 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

    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

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    No-Boil Lasagna is super simple to prepare, taking only 10 minutes without the need to boil any noodles. This filling vegetarian dish is quick and tasty, making it a great choice for your regular dinner lineup.

    Get the Recipe

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic dish that everyone loves. With well-seasoned chicken and perfectly cooked rice, this is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This Slow Cooker Goulash is a filling meal with tender beef in a tasty tomato sauce. It's great for busy weeknights since it requires little prep and cooks itself while you go about your day.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

    Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken is a simple dinner option for busy nights. It puts a fun spin on regular chicken that everyone in the family will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Fajitas

    Healthy Baked Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Vibrantly G-Free.

    Baked Chicken Fajitas are simple to make in just 30 minutes with only 8 ingredients. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and brings the delicious flavors of a Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowl right to your table.

    Get the Recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Fajita casserole.
      22 Hearty Toss-and-Bake Meals You Can Make Real Quick
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      18 Family-Favorite Dump-and-Bake Recipes Everyone Loves
    • no boil pasta bake.
      16 Simple Beef Dinners You Just Dump and Bake
    • Tuscan white bean soup.
      29 Dump-and-Cook Recipes That Save You Hours
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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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