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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Dump-And-Go Dinners Made for Super Busy Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 4, 2025, updated August 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When life gets hectic, finding time to cook can feel impossible. These 18 easy dump-and-go dinners are perfect for those busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without the fuss. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work while you focus on other things.

    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Wonton Soup is quick and simple to make using frozen wontons and pre-chopped veggies. In under 30 minutes, you can have a warm and comforting meal ready to enjoy. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time cooking.

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    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    An easy sheet pan shrimp boil is a simple way to get dinner on the table without spending hours cooking. It's low in carbs and fits well with a keto diet, making it a great choice for quick meals. Just throw everything onto a sheet pan, and you'll have a tasty dinner ready in no time.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake combines juicy chicken thighs with colorful vegetables, all mixed together in a tasty Mediterranean dressing. Everything cooks in one pan, making it simple to put together. You can easily change the ingredients based on what you have, so it’s a great way to use up leftovers.

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    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This vegetarian casserole features white beans, pasta, and cherry tomatoes, creating a warm and comforting meal that's ideal for a quick and healthy dinner. It's easy to put together and doesn't take much time, making it a perfect option for busy evenings. Enjoy a filling dish that combines nutritious ingredients effortlessly.

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    Easy Zucchini Casserole

    Easy Zucchini Casserole Recipe
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    Zucchini Casserole is an easy and tasty way to enjoy fresh veggies. This comforting dish mixes zucchini with other ingredients to create a satisfying meal. It's ideal for busy nights, as it comes together quickly and doesn't take much work.

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    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta is an easy meal that combines the delicious flavors of Tuscan chicken with minimal effort. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, and aside from boiling the pasta, there's not much else to do. This dish features tender chicken, mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and your choice of pasta all simmered in a rich, creamy sauce. It's a satisfying dinner option that fits perfectly into busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish brings together Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in the crockpot for an easy meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Pair it with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Frito Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Frito Chili.
    Photo Credit: I heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Frito Chili is an easy and healthy dish that you can whip up in your crock pot. With minimal prep time, it’s ideal for those hectic days when you don’t have much time to spare. Just throw all the ingredients in, and let the slow cooker handle the rest.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan dinner is simple and tasty. Just season everything with some garlic and herbs, toss it all onto one pan, and let the oven handle the rest. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty meal ready to eat.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu.
    Photo Credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu is an easy dinner option that even picky eaters will enjoy. With layers of ham, cheese, and chicken, it’s a comforting meal that everyone can appreciate. This dish is one of the simplest and most delicious casseroles you can prepare in a crock pot.

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    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup is perfect for busy days. Simply toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it handle the cooking. When it's done, you can top it with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and green onions for added flavor.

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    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta brings together the tasty flavors of Tuscan chicken in a simple way. This dish includes tender chicken, mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and your favorite pasta, all simmered in a rich, creamy sauce. It's a full meal that you can prepare and let cook on its own, making it ideal for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken features tender chicken breasts simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce inspired by Asian flavors. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a family-friendly meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
    Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are an easy and flavorful dinner that the whole family will enjoy. With only a handful of ingredients, you can have a tasty meal ready in less than 30 minutes. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you need something quick and filling.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.

    Easy, cheesy and totally delicious - this is comfort food at its best!

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    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is a creamy and cheesy meal featuring shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and bacon. This dish is simple to put together and offers a satisfying dinner that everyone will love. It's ideal for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours cooking.

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    Easy, Cheesy 5-Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake

    Easy, Cheesy 5-Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy evenings. You can mix everything together and pop it in the oven without any extra cooking steps. It's packed with cheese and has all the classic pizza flavors, making it a hit with everyone in the family.

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    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish focuses on easy cooking that doesn't take much time. With a slow cooker, you can transform regular chicken thighs into a flavorful meal, highlighted by a zesty lemon and pepper seasoning. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending too long in the kitchen.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • A spoonful of chicken fajita casserole.
      24 Family-Friendly Dump-and-Bake Meals That Save You Time and Effort
    • Balsamic chicken.
      26 Easy Crockpot Dinners That Might Just Change the Way You Cook
    • Chcolate pecan cookie.
      11 Cookie Recipes That Were Made for Fall Baking
    • Creamy curry pasta.
      23 Easy Dinner Ideas That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    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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