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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Just Dump and Go: 17 Dinners That Cook Themselves

    Published: Jan 18, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy days can make it tough to find time to cook, but with these 17 easy dump-and-go dinners, you can have a delicious meal with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker or Instant Pot, set it, and let it do the work for you. Perfect for those nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This Enchilada Bake is simple to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. It cooks easily in your slow cooker, making it a great option for a busy weeknight.

    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

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan recipe lets you prepare a tasty lamb dinner with minimal effort. Just bake the lamb chops alongside some veggies for a satisfying and flavorful meal.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and tasty dish that you can prepare in under an hour. With spicy buffalo sauce, fresh spinach, and lots of cheese, this is a good dinner for busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Weeknight dinners can be easy with this simple sheet pan meal. Flavored with garlic and herbs, it's ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This creamy pasta is rich and satisfying, making it a great choice for a simple one-pot dinner. It practically cooks itself, so you can enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This cheesy chicken and pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is both comforting and filling. It's simple to prepare, making it a great choice for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This vegan pasta bake is rich and full of vegetables, and you don't even need to boil anything. It's perfect for a satisfying meal any day, whether you enjoy it hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is easy to prepare by just chopping some ingredients and throwing them into one pan. You'll end up with a tasty meal of chicken, veggies, and sauce that doesn't take much effort.

    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 dinner any night. With tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy and tasty dish that you can prepare in just one pan. It's great for busy nights and tastes even better the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This instant pot pasta sauce is packed with great flavors and is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic dish. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzla mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly easy to make, as everything is done in one dish without any pre-cooking. Loaded with mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's a cheesy and comforting meal that you can just dump in the oven and enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple dish that cooks everything in the oven, including the pasta. It features frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your choice of marinara sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines chicken and broccoli for a hearty meal that's great for busy weeknights. It's an easy option that simplifies your cooking routine.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Mac and Cheese is loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere, creating a wonderfully cheesy meal. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This quick and easy pizza pasta bake is ideal for busy evenings. You can throw everything together in one pan without needing to cook the pasta first, and it's loaded with cheesy flavor that everyone will love!

    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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