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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Dump-and-Cook Gourmet Meals You Can Prep in Minutes

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 24, 2024, updated November 25, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking gourmet meals doesn't have to be a time-consuming task. With these 17 dump-and-cook recipes, you can whip up delicious dishes in just minutes, using simple ingredients and minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without the hassle, these meals are sure to satisfy.

    Mediterranean Salmon

    Mediterranean Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This dish combines Mediterranean flavors with salmon fillets for a quick meal that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, or served alongside roasted garlic potatoes.

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    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is super easy to make in the oven. It features shrimp and Creole spiced andouille sausages for a delicious meal that comes together quickly.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are packed with delicious flavors and come with plenty of veggies, making it a great low-carb dinner that everyone will love. This meal is quick to prepare and perfect for busy nights.

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    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    This rigatoni al forno with veggies is a quick and tasty pasta dish that's perfect for dinner. It's a comforting mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy, and it’s packed with nutrients.

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    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon filets are topped with garlic butter and wrapped in bacon for a tasty meal everyone will enjoy. This is a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for busy nights.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

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

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic pasta sauce. With just a few simple pantry ingredients, you can whip up a rich and hearty meal in no time.

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    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 definitely provide some leftovers. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crock-Pot Honey Bourbon Steak Tips

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips (Crock-Pot)
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips are cooked in the crockpot until they're tender and juicy. They're covered in a tasty sweet and savory sauce that everyone will enjoy.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

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

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    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, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. It's a simple option that comes together quickly, perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are packed with flavor, featuring beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker for a tasty meal.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

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

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    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This cheesy baked spaghetti is a fun twist on the usual pasta and sauce that your family will really enjoy. With layers of cheesy noodles, savory meat sauce, and lots of melted cheese, it combines the best of spaghetti and lasagna.

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    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: Add Salt and Serve.

    Cube steak turns out tender and tasty with hardly any preparation needed. With just cube steak, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, salt, pepper, and water, you can easily serve a satisfying home-cooked meal.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This one pan chicken and potatoes dinner features juicy roasted chicken thighs and drumsticks, tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and button mushrooms all cooked together on a single sheet pan. It’s a simple meal that takes just 15 minutes to prep before it goes into the oven.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    This casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a great comfort food option. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Gnocchi is roasted in the oven after being tossed in olive oil, creating a crispy outside while staying soft inside. This is a great dish for anyone who loves gnocchi!

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Beet cucumber salad.
      20 Cucumber Dishes That Will Keep You Cool All Season Long
    • Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake.
      22 Easy Dump-and-Go Meals Straight from Grandma’s Recipe Box
    • Carne guisada.
      Set It and Forget It: 23 Slow Cooker Dinners That Basically Cook Themselves
    • Chow mein.
      5 Chinese Crockpot Recipes to Try This Week

    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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