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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    21 Set It and Forget It Recipes That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Published: Aug 3, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but with these 21 easy recipes, you can prepare delicious meals with minimal effort. Each dish is designed to be set up quickly and left to cook, allowing you to enjoy more time with family or relax after a long day. From hearty casseroles to flavorful slow-cooked meals, these recipes will simplify your dinner routine.

    Great Northern Bean Soup

    Great Northern Bean Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    Great northern bean soup is a cozy and hearty dish, ideal for chilly winter nights or anytime you crave something nutritious and filling. It's easy to whip up in your crock pot, which makes it a convenient choice for dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let it cook on its own while you take care of other things. It combines chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Vegetable Soup

    Chicken Vegetable Soup.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Chicken vegetable soup is a straightforward and filling dish that you can whip up in the slow cooker. With chicken breasts, a mix of vegetables, and a tasty broth, it's the kind of comfort food that warms you up. This soup is perfect for those days when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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 full of flavor. It's a great option for a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays perfectly cooked.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option that you'll find yourself making again and again.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a favorite for many. It's a hearty and tasty dish that you can easily whip up in your crock pot or on the stove. Ideal for chilly winter days or whenever you're in the mood for something warm and comforting.

    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. It combines two delicious cheeses, with a nice kick from Gorgonzola, and adds a satisfying crunch from walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and tasty option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies

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

    This dish is perfect for busy evenings. Just throw some chicken thighs and a variety of vegetables onto a sheet pan, slide it into the oven, and dinner is done. The chicken turns out tender and tasty, while the veggies roast to perfection. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of meal that brings warmth and comfort, perfect for any day of the week. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken is packed with great flavors. A whole chicken is seasoned with butter, beer, lemon, and garlic, creating a tasty dish with minimal effort. This is a good dinner option for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No boil baked ziti.
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a comforting dish that's easy to prepare. There's no need to boil the pasta or cook the meat separately; just layer everything together and pop it in the oven. This simple method saves time and effort while still delivering a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

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

    This dish features tender chicken seasoned with a zesty Italian dressing mix and a generous squeeze of lemon. It's a simple and flavorful meal that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights. Just set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

    Get the Recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a quick and easy dinner option that everyone will love. In just 50 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious meal featuring a tasty herb crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside. With only a few simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that's perfect for any night. It's satisfying and filling, ensuring you'll have some leftovers to enjoy later. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious dinner ready to go.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This incredibly quick and easy pizza pasta bake is an absolute lifesaver on busy nights! It'll be in the oven in no time flat - you can even mix it all up right in the pan (and you don't even have to precook the pasta)! So cheesy and full of great pizza flavors - your whole family will love it.

    Get the recipe

    Beergarita Chicken Tacos

    Beergarita Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Beerarita Chicken Tacos feature tender shredded chicken cooked in a delicious blend of beer and margarita flavors. This dish is perfect for a simple and tasty taco night. Just set it up in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in just five minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a satisfying meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta, packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a hearty meal that brings comfort and satisfaction. Plus, it's really simple to prepare, making it perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken With Creamy Tomato & Spinach Sauce

    Slow Cooker Chicken With Creamy Tomato & Spinach Sauce.
    Photo Credit: My Life Cookbook.

    Keto slow cooker chicken with creamy tomato and spinach sauce is a flavorful and simple dinner option for busy weeknights. The sauce is rich and creamy, pairing wonderfully with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Each serving contains only 3.3g of net carbs, making it a great choice for those watching their carb intake.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in no time. With just 10 minutes of prep, it's ready in under an hour. This meal is packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying choice for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

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      26 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners Anyone Can Pull Together Fast
    • Carne guisada.
      24 Dump-and-Cook Beef Dinners With Almost No Cleanup
    • Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
      23 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Take the Work Out of 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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