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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    32 Family Favorite Dump-and-Cook Dinners Even Picky Eaters Love

    Published: Jun 10, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding time to cook for the family can be a challenge, especially on busy days. These 32 dump-and-cook recipes make mealtime simple and stress-free, allowing you to throw everything into one pot or dish and let it cook while you focus on other things. With a variety of flavors and ingredients, these meals are perfect for busy families looking for quick and easy solutions.

    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken

    Slow Cooker Autumn Chicken Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker chicken dinner is a simple and healthy one-pot meal. Chicken thighs, onions, and sweet potatoes cook together nicely for a satisfying dish.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala.
    Photo Credit: Cooked & Loved.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala features tender chicken simmered in a creamy tomato sauce with a mix of Indian spices. This dish is a simple and tasty way to bring the flavors of Indian cooking to your dinner table without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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 that everyone in the family will enjoy!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    This slow-cooked chicken and corn soup is thick and creamy, perfect for a filling meal. It's packed with flavor and is sure to please the whole family.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew

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

    Slow Cooker Camp Stew is a classic comfort food that brings together tender meat and tasty vegetables with a touch of smokiness. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family, making it a great choice for dinner.

    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

    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 Orange Chicken Drumsticks

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken Drumsticks is a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without putting in a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This dish features tender pork cubes simmered with spicy Hatch green chiles, creating a flavorful stew that's great over rice, polenta, or in tortillas. It's an easy main dish that you can prepare and let cook on its own, bringing a taste of New Mexico to your table.

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    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for a cozy night in. Made in the crockpot, it combines creamy coconut milk, sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, white cannellini beans, and fresh spinach for a healthy and filling meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Ham and Beans So

    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

    Cheese Tortellini Bake

    Cheese Tortellini Bake
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    The Cheesy Vegetarian Tortellini Bake is a simple meal that comes together in just 20 minutes with fewer than 10 ingredients, all in one pan. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want a filling dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Chicken thighs are juicy and packed with flavor, making them a great choice for family dinners. They come together quickly, needing just 10 minutes of prep time.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. With no need to precook the pasta, you can mix everything right in the pan and have a cheesy, flavorful dish that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas.
    Photo Credit: Britney Breaks Bread.

    This dish features tender shredded chicken, red bell pepper, green chiles, and onions simmered in a flavorful red enchilada sauce. Layer it with corn tortillas, olives, and cheese on top for a delicious one-pot meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    Photo Credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    This chicken tortilla soup is packed with black beans, corn, and shredded chicken. It's a great option for lunch or dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken

    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This chicken dish is super simple, needing just four ingredients and only a few minutes of prep. It's a great option for dinner and works well for meal prep, as you can use it in sandwiches, salads, or grain bowls throughout the week.

    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

    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This is a comforting dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garden in the Kitchen.

    Chicken breasts cook slowly in a flavorful onion broth and are topped with melted Gruyere cheese. This is a cozy meal that everyone in the family will enjoy!

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo is a simple and tasty dinner option. The sauce, made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and vinegar, goes perfectly with rice and steamed vegetables.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is a flavorful dish made with seasoned pork shoulder that cooks slowly to perfection. This juicy pulled pork is perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.

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    Ground Turkey White Chili

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

    Ground Turkey White Chili is an easy dinner that you can prepare in a slow cooker. A bit of morning prep lets you come home to a warm and filling meal, perfect with fresh lime, avocado, and cheese on top.

    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

    Crockpot Enchiladas

    Crockpot Enchiladas.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    Crockpot enchiladas are a simple mix of ground beef, veggies, enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and cheese, all cooked together in the slow cooker. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to prepare meals ahead of time.

    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

    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

    Crockpot chicken salsa topped with avocados.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This dish features healthy and tasty chicken that cooks perfectly in the Crock Pot. It's great for busy nights, family gatherings, or when you want to prepare meals in advance.

    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 Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Stuffed pepper soup is a delicious twist on the classic stuffed peppers. It's a filling meal that pairs well with cheese and breadsticks.

    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

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      17 Dump-and-Eat Meals That Make Dinner Almost Too Easy
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      21 Simple Dump-and-Bake Dinners Perfect for Busy Weeknights
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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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