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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    12 Vegetable Loaded Dump-And-Cook Dinners For When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated June 24, 2026 · Published July 29, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    When you're feeling too tired to cook, these 12 vegetable-loaded dump-and-cook dinners are the perfect solution. They require minimal effort and are packed with healthy ingredients, making it easy to enjoy a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss everything together, let it cook, and you'll have a satisfying dinner ready in no time.

    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 veggies, resulting in tender meat that's delicious.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

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    Ground Beef Chili

    Ground Beef Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This healthy chili is made in the slow cooker with beans, corn, and peppers, creating a flavorful dish. It's packed with Southwest flavors and is perfect for when you're too tired to cook.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish is packed with juicy chicken, colorful bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple meal that's great for a busy weeknight.

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    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This cheesy tater tot casserole is packed with seasoned ground beef and plenty of veggies in a creamy sauce. It's a comforting dish that everyone will enjoy, perfect for when you're too tired to cook.

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    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Crockpot Corn Chowder is a creamy soup that brings the comfort of a restaurant right to your kitchen. It's easy to whip up, making it perfect for a cozy night in.

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    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish is packed with tender beef and hearty root vegetables. It's simple to prepare and perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple. With just a little chopping to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce for a delicious meal.

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    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

    Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Butternut squash soup is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for chilly days. With the addition of apples and a hint of garam masala, it has a unique flavor and is easy to prepare and store for later.

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    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    A simple one pan, no chop gnocchi bake! Packed with frozen mixed vegetables and a comforting cheesy cream sauce, you will not believe how easy it is to create this comforting family meal.

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    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in less than an hour.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    This creamy chicken and rice soup is super easy to prepare. It includes carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, chicken, rice, and spices, all brought together with cream, making it a cozy meal for a chilly night.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      25 Hearty Casseroles That Are Easy on Your Wallet
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      23 Dump-and-Go Dinners With Minimal Prep and Maximum Flavor

    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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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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