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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    16 Dump-and-Cook Meals That Will Save You Time Tonight

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 5, 2025, updated April 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for quick and easy meal ideas, dump-and-cook recipes are a lifesaver. These meals require minimal prep and can be thrown together in no time, making them perfect for busy nights. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker or oven, you can have a delicious dinner ready with very little effort.

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is simple to prepare and can be made with either homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce. It brings the tasty flavors of your favorite takeout straight to your kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    Sheet pan beef and broccoli with teriyaki sauce is a simple dinner option that fits well into busy schedules. These one-pan meals are a great way to enjoy delicious flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Ground Beef Nachos

    Nachos.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This nacho dish features ground beef, beans, onions, and garlic, all covered in melted cheese and finished with sour cream, jalapenos, avocados, cilantro, and lime. It's a simple way to enjoy all your favorite flavors in one delicious bite.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This meal is quick and tasty, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Everything cooks on one pan, so you can enjoy your favorite flavors with minimal effort.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to enjoy this Tex Mex favorite at home. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Casserole is a simple and delicious meal that you can prepare in advance and freeze for later. It combines seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese, bringing all the great taco flavors together in one dish.

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    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Wonton soup is a simple dish that comes together fast using frozen wontons and pre-cut vegetables. It’s a comforting meal that offers a warm bowl of soup with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi

    Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi.
    Photo Credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese baguette is packed with juicy pulled pork, crunchy pickled veggies, and zesty sriracha mayo. Using a slow cooker makes it simple to prepare this tasty sandwich with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

    Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
    Photo Credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Flank steak is combined with garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce for a tasty meal inspired by Chinese cuisine. This dish brings the flavors of your favorite takeout straight to your home.

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    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This easy crockpot Mexican casserole is packed with the tasty flavors you love from takeout. It's perfect for busy weeknights and is budget-friendly.

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    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are quick and easy to prepare with this straightforward recipe. Just combine the ingredients and enjoy the comforting flavors of your favorite takeout.

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    Baked Taco Dip

    Baked taco dip.
    Photo credit: Homemade Hooplah.

    This baked taco dip combines seasoned beef, creamy beans, and melted cheese with a hint of spice. It's perfect for sharing with friends at parties or gatherings.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dish that brings the flavors of takeout right to your kitchen. It's delicious and perfect for enjoying leftovers.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Confessions of a Fit Foodie.

    This casserole combines all the tasty flavors of enchiladas into an easy dish. With layers of tortillas, chicken, and cheese, it's a hit with the whole family.

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    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is easy to prepare using ingredients you likely have on hand, and it’s sure to please everyone at the dinner table. This dish brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right into your home.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Taco Dip

    Beef Taco Dip.
    Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    This creamy taco dip combines simple ingredients for a tasty snack or a cozy dinner. Serve it with chips for a filling meal that brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Gnocchi soup.
      20 Lazy Crockpot Dinners We’re Making All Summer Long
    • Ritz chicken.
      18 Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Beef and potato hot pot.
      24 Layer and Bake Dinners to Make With Ground Beef
    • No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
      Set It and Forget It: Simple Recipes for Stress-Free Cooking

    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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