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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    Set It and Forget It: 22 Simple Dinners You Can Dump and Enjoy

    Published: Aug 9, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Busy days can make dinner time a challenge, but with simple dump-and-go recipes, you can have a delicious meal with minimal effort. These easy dinners require little prep and can be left to cook while you focus on other things. From hearty stews to flavorful casseroles, these meals are perfect for anyone looking to simplify their evening routine.

    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

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

    This pasta dish is creamy, rich, and incredibly tasty. It's a simple one-pot meal that practically cooks on its own, making dinner a breeze. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe allows you to enjoy a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This creamy soup is a great comfort food option that's simple to prepare. With just six ingredients, it comes together quickly and easily. It's an ideal dinner choice for busy families looking for something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Bolognese

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

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It's a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using just a few basic ingredients from your pantry. Perfect for busy nights, this dish lets you enjoy a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala served over white rice.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala is ideal for busy weekdays when you want a tasty Indian-inspired meal without the effort of takeout. Just throw everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. It's a simple way to enjoy a comforting dish with minimal fuss.

    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 combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy dinner. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a comforting plate that everyone will love.

    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 have a delicious meal on the table. The outside is coated with a tasty herb crust, while the inside stays juicy and tender, using only a handful of simple ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is a simple dinner option that you can prepare with very little effort. This dish is perfect for families and is sure to please everyone at the table. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal that feels special without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This meatball casserole is an easy one-pan meal that brings together uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce. Simply layer everything in a baking dish and let the oven do the work. It's a convenient option for a satisfying dinner without much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    The Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake is a simple dish that comes together quickly and cooks all in one pan. It's perfect for days when you're short on time but still want a hearty meal. This casserole is a great option for a busy schedule, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it cooks in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

    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 definitely provide some leftovers. It's simple to prepare, so you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy evenings, this meal is both filling and easy to throw together.

    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, making it perfect for any night of the week. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll likely want to make again and again!

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dinner is full of flavor and perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a relaxed Sunday dinner. It's a classic Italian dish that cooks slowly, allowing all the tastes to blend together beautifully. You can serve it over pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dinner of delicious homemade comfort food. Even better, this chicken and rice bake is incredible as leftovers!

    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 everything cook together and enjoy a delicious meal. It features chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce, all in one pan for easy cleanup.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken cacciatore is easy to make in a slow cooker. The sauce is a tasty mix of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onions, and Italian spices. This dish is great for summer when you want a filling meal without spending hours cooking. Just prepare the ingredients and let the slow cooker handle the rest. It's a comforting dinner that brings a bit of Italian flavor to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches

    Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are simple to make and packed with flavor. The chicken is shredded and mixed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, creating a tasty combination. Topping it off with cool and tangy pickles adds a nice crunch. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Using premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, it creates a cozy vegetarian casserole that you'll want to make time and time again. It's a great option for a satisfying meal that doesn't require much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple and tasty meal. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables roast together on a single sheet pan, which makes cleaning up easy.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple recipe that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule. Just toss everything together and let it cook, making dinner a breeze.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Ground Beef Chili is a simple and healthy dish that you can prepare in a slow cooker. Packed with beans, corn, and peppers, it brings a taste of the Southwest right to your table. It's a great option for a filling meal that doesn't require much effort.

    Get the Recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Southwest chicken casserole.
      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
    • Lazy lasagna.
      22 Dump and Bake Dinners That Practically Make Themselves
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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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