• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Easy Dump-And-Cook Dinners That taste Like a Restaurant Meal

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 1, 2024, updated December 3, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking dinner can sometimes feel like a chore, especially after a long day. These 23 easy dump-and-cook recipes are perfect for busy nights, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or pan and let it simmer while you relax. With flavors that remind you of your favorite restaurant meals, these dishes will satisfy your cravings without the hassle.

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Slow cooker pork carnitas are easy to prepare, needing only 10 minutes of your time before they cook all afternoon. With tender shredded pork and crispy edges wrapped in soft flour tortillas, topped with onion and cilantro, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family.

    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

    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is creamy, rich, and incredibly tasty. It's a simple one-pot meal that practically cooks on its own.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is ready in just 50 minutes and is a simple dinner that everyone will enjoy. The outside has a flavorful herb crust, while the inside is juicy and tender.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Tilapia

    Baked tilapia.
    Photo credit: Organically Addison.

    This baked tilapia is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It only takes 15 minutes to get it ready, making it perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    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 dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something special without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
    Photo credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This version of French Onion Soup is quick and simple to prepare. Made in the Instant Pot, it features French Baguette and gooey gruyere cheese on top.

    Get the recipe

    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 comfort meal. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Corn chowder brings the flavors of summer to your table no matter the season, with your choice of fresh or frozen corn. It's a creamy dish that's deliciously topped with bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for busy nights and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is easy to make and still packed with flavor. Just layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven for a delicious meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and is a great option for busy evenings. With a simple mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is packed with flavor and sure to please.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow cooker pineapple chicken combines tender chicken with bell peppers, onion, and garlic in a tasty pineapple sauce. This dish brings a bright and tropical flavor to your dinner table.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This is a simple way to prepare risotto using your Instant Pot. It takes the stress out of cooking and gives you a delicious meal with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This easy meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it’s a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Brown Rice Risotto

    Risotto on a white plate.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Make Instant Pot risotto for a quick and easy meal that feels kinda fancy.

    Get the recipe

    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 satisfying low-carb meal. This dish is perfect for a family dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Venison Soup

    Venison Soup.
    Photo Credit: Binky's Culinary Carnival.

    Venison soup is a simple dish that you can prepare in the crockpot while processing your deer. It's a great way to use up tougher cuts of meat that might otherwise go to waste.

    Get the Recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Using store-bought teriyaki sauce or making your own is a simple way to enjoy this easy salmon dish. It's a quick and delicious option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: the magical slow cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn all cook together in the slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce. This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can enjoy any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice go really well together and you'll want to make this dish again and again. It's a simple meal that's packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • 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
    • A bowl full of soba noodle salad.
      20 Delicious Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Picnics

    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 →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • 23 Quick and Cheap Casseroles for Busy Weeknights
    • Lemon pepper chicken thighs.
      23 Easy Crockpot Dinners for Busy Weeknights
    • Cottage pie.
      27 Best Easy Dinners to Make With Ground Beef
    • Chicken tater tot casserole.
      32 Easy Dump-and-Bake Ideas That Help You Feed a Crowd

    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 © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB