• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Air Fryer Mom
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Ă—
    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    23 Set It and Forget It Recipes for When You’d Rather Not Cook

    Published: Sep 16, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

    • Facebook
    • Email

    Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. These 23 easy recipes let you set everything up and walk away, making meal prep a breeze. Perfect for busy days, these dishes require minimal effort while still delivering satisfying results.

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Taco soup with beans.
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup is perfect for busy nights when you need a quick meal. With just 10 minutes of prep, you can throw everything into the slow cooker and let it cook while you take care of other things. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and can even be frozen for later. Top it off with your favorite taco fixings like cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and green onions for a delicious finish.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a tasty one-pot meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. The combination of garlic parmesan wing sauce with cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, milk, and some common pantry ingredients creates a rich and flavorful dish. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    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 nights when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Ground Beef Chili is a simple dish you can prepare in the slow cooker. Packed with beans, corn, and peppers, it brings a taste of the Southwest right to your table. It's a healthy option that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Cooking Duo.

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is a cozy and satisfying dinner option. It's simple to prepare and packed with flavor, thanks to easy-to-find ingredients. This dish is a great addition to your weekly meals, appealing even to those who are picky about food. Everyone will enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures in this casserole.

    Get the Recipe

    Shake and Bake Chicken

    Shake and Bake Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Shake and Bake Chicken is a straightforward and delicious dinner option that features tender baked chicken coated in a crunchy homemade seasoning. This dish is easy to prepare and offers a satisfying meal without much effort. Once you give it a try, you'll likely prefer it over the store-bought alternatives.

    Get the Recipe

    Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

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

    This dish features healthy, tasty, and tender chicken that you can easily prepare in the Crock Pot. It's perfect for busy nights, family gatherings, or when you want to get ahead on meal prep. Just set it up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

    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 only take about 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, making this a great option for busy nights.

    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 will keep you satisfied. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a healthy and tasty option that you can whip up with minimal effort. This simple recipe allows you to combine all your favorite ingredients in one dish, making it perfect for busy nights. Just toss everything together, and you'll have a satisfying meal ready in no time.

    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 hearty option that's great for lunch or dinner. With its rich flavors, this soup is sure to satisfy your hunger without requiring much effort.

    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 comes together quickly and easily, perfect for those nights when you're short on time. Enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

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

    Easy Slow Cooker Orange Chicken is a great choice for dinner tonight. It features tender pieces of chicken cooked in a flavorful orange barbecue sauce. This dish pairs perfectly with simple sides like steamed white rice or green veggies.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that everyone loves. Perfect for busy nights, it requires minimal effort while still delivering great flavor. Enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Spaghetti is a great option for dinner when you're short on time. This dish combines tender chicken with creamy sauce and pasta, all cooked together in one pot. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Gnocchi is a delicious option that's perfect for a quick meal. Roasting it in the oven after tossing it in olive oil gives it a nice crispy outside while keeping it soft and tender inside. This dish is simple to prepare and is great for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is the perfect comfort food that is both delicious and easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

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

    Nacho Soup is a tasty twist on your favorite nachos. It combines the flavors of ground beef, Rotel, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning, all simmered together in a crock pot. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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 prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for those nights when you're short on time but still want a satisfying meal.

    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 great mix of flavors that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta combines the delicious flavors of Tuscan chicken with an easy, hands-off approach. This dish features tender chicken, mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and your choice of pasta all cooked together in a rich, creamy sauce. It's a complete meal that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a flavorful meal that comes together quickly in the instant pot, taking less than 45 minutes. The dish features a tasty tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano. It's a simple dinner option that works well for busy nights.

    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, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and satisfying meal for busy nights.

    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
    • Facebook
    • Email

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • Chicken and rice soup.
      22 Revolutionary Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
    • Cauliflower beef taco skillet.
      17 Quick and Elegant Ground Beef Meals You Need to Try
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Deliciously Simple Crockpot Meals for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Crockpot lasagna.
      14 Crockpot Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    Latest Articles

    • Steak tacos or fajitas.
      20 Simple Steak Dinners You Can Start Right Now
    • Mac and cheese.
      26 Rich Pasta Recipes Perfect for This Week's Menu
    • pasta with bolognese sauce.
      32 Easy Ground Beef Dinners That Work Anytime
    • Ribs.
      23 Set-and-Forget Slow Cooker Recipes That Cook While You Relax

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • [email protected]
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB