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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    18 Effortless Dump-and-Cook Dinners You Can Prep in Minutes

    Published: Nov 14, 2024 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    If you're looking for quick and easy dinner ideas, dump-and-cook meals are the way to go. These recipes require minimal prep time and let you throw everything into a pot or slow cooker, making dinner a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights, these family-friendly meals are satisfying and require little effort.

    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken

    Slow cooker Ritz chicken with pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Slow Cooker Ritz Chicken features tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce and topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker crust. It's an easy dish that goes well with rice, noodles, or any side you like!

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This dish features gnocchi that's tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven. It develops a crispy outside while staying soft and tender on the inside.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking just under 10 minutes, and it cooks in less than an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, it's a tasty and simple dinner option for busy weeknights.

    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 cooked with spicy Hatch green chiles, creating a flavorful meal that can be served 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.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is incredibly simple, made with just three ingredients. It's a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will keep you satisfied. It's perfect for a quick dinner, and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is easy to make with just a few ingredients and can cook all day. It's creamy without any cream, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it a light yet filling option that pairs perfectly with your favorite taco toppings in bread bowls.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is incredibly simple, made with just three ingredients. It's a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Peruvian Lamb Stew

    Slow Cooker Peruvian Lamb Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This lamb stew is easy to make and uses common Peruvian ingredients that you can find at most grocery stores. After a quick 30 minutes of prep, just let your slow cooker do the work for a delicious one-pot meal, with options for stove top and Instant Pot cooking as well.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is a simple and tasty meal that you can make in less than 45 minutes. It features a flavorful tomato sauce made with fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, and oregano, making it a great choice for those hectic evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to make. 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

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This is a nutritious dish that combines red lentils for a protein boost. With its warming spices, this soup is simple to prepare using an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple dinner option that takes only 50 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights. With a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center, it's a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in no time. This simple recipe lets you throw everything together and bake it for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, featuring a zesty and spicy sauce that pairs perfectly with tender salmon. This simple dish is sure to impress at dinner time.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This Tortellini Soup is a simple and creamy dish that you can make in a slow cooker. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, it's a great way to enjoy a healthy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak comes out tender and juicy in just 8-10 minutes of cooking. A flavorful marinade does all the work, making it easy to enjoy a delicious steak without much hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    This Slow Cooker Goulash is a simple and filling meal featuring tender beef in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's ideal for hectic weeknights, requiring little prep time and letting you enjoy a delicious dinner without much hassle.

    Get the Recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • 14 Easy Beef & Pasta Dinners You Can Throw Together on Busy Nights
    • 21 No-Fuss Chicken Dinners You Can Dump and Cook
    • Nashville hot chicken sandwich.
      17 Dump-and-Eat Meals That Make Dinner Almost Too Easy
    • Lasagna.
      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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