• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Blogging Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Blogging Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    19 Dump-and-Cook Meals That Look Way More Impressive Than They Are

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated June 10, 2026 · Published June 18, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially on busy days, but these 18 dump-and-cook meals make it easy to whip up something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss your ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do their thing while you go about your day. Perfect for anyone looking to save time while still enjoying a satisfying meal.

    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet pan salmon with brussels sprouts.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Make a full dinner easily with just one sheet pan. This recipe features tasty brussels sprouts and salmon, and you can add rice on the side if you like.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is a breeze to prepare; just mix everything in one dish and pop it in the oven. It comes out packed with tasty vegetables and a rich garlic sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy sheet pan dinner is great for hectic weeknights, requiring just a bit of chopping before it goes in the oven. You'll have a tasty meal with chicken, vegetables, and sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is perfect for a simple and tasty family dinner. With a flavorful herb crust and tender meat, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This dish is simple and satisfying, perfect for a cozy meal. Using ingredients you probably already have, it comes together in just half an hour.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic evenings. With Greek yogurt and pesto, this dish is easy to prepare and full of delicious flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew

    Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew
    Photo Credit: Beyond Mere Sustenance.

    This Pork and Hatch Green Chile Stew features tender pork cubes and spicy Hatch green chiles, making it a great dish to enjoy over rice, polenta, or in tortillas. It's a simple recipe that lets you enjoy the flavors of New Mexico without much hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes is an easy meal that comes together in under 45 minutes. With a flavorful tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes and oregano, it's a great option for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Carbonara

    Carbonara.
    Photo credit: Num's the Word.

    This dish is great for anyone who loves pasta and is looking for an easy way to prepare a meal. It's simple to make and won't leave you with a big mess to clean up afterward.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a quick and easy dish that cooks in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade adds great flavor, making the steak tender and juicy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is an easy and hearty vegetarian dish loaded with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a convenient dinner that the whole family will love!

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Stuff salmon with garlic butter and wrap it in bacon for a delicious family meal. This simple dish is sure to impress everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and feature crispy, golden chicken thighs cooked in a tasty garlic and white wine sauce with juicy mushrooms. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe0

    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    These easy Crockpot Steak Bites are a great way to enjoy a tasty meal without spending a lot of time. Just toss in some affordable beef cuts and let the slow cooker do the work, resulting in tender bites and a delicious sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy sheet pan meal combines juicy lamb chops with a variety of tasty vegetables, all cooked together for a simple dinner. There's no worry about overcooking, as everything stays flavorful and moist.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    This is an easy dish that combines canned tomatoes, basil, and simple seasonings. Just toss everything into the Crock Pot for a tasty meal that goes great with grilled cheese or crackers!

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is simple to make and can be prepared with either store-bought teriyaki sauce or a homemade version. It's an easy meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Maple Balsamic Chicken

    Maple Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken.
    Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

    This dish features tender and juicy chicken breasts that come together with just 5 minutes of prep time. It's an ideal choice for a fast and easy weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Ravioli Lasagna

    Ravioli lasagna.
    Photo credit: Mom Foodie.

    Ravioli Lasagna is a simple and tasty baked dish that combines layers of ravioli with hearty meat sauce and lots of cheesy goodness. It's a comforting Italian meal that's easy to make and perfect for any night.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      30 Dump-and-Bake Recipes That Practically Make Themselves
    • Greek chicken.
      22 Dump-And-Go Dinners That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals
    • Hamburger minestrone.
      25 Cozy Dump-and-Cook Meals That Do All the Work for You
    • Chicken and rice casserole.
      25 Hearty Summer Dinners You Just Dump, Bake, and Dig Into

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Readers Love These Recipes

    • close up of an air fryer drumstick
      Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
    • A spoonful of gouda mac and cheese being lifted out of the pan with a cheese pull.
      Gouda Mac and Cheese
    • A slice of crispy air fryer bacon on a blue plate.
      Air Fryer Bacon
    • a cinnamon muffin cupcake in front of a tin full
      Cinnamon Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

    Popular Easy Summer Dinners

    • side view of a healthy salmon fish taco with ginger avocado salsa, and a lime wedge
      Easy Salmon Tacos with Ginger Avocado Salsa
    • Beef stew.
      22 Easy Summer Crockpot Dinners That Do All the Work for You
    • Sliced medium-rare air fryer skirt steak with a pink center.
      Air Fryer Skirt Steak
    • Lemon pepper salmon in a non-stick pan with lemon wedges.
      Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2026 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB