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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Easy Dump-And-Go Dinners Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 9, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially on busy nights when you just want something easy and satisfying. These 19 simple dump-and-go dinners are inspired by classic recipes from grandma's kitchen, making it easy to whip up a hearty meal with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a comforting dinner without the fuss.

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garden in the Kitchen.

    Chicken breasts cook slowly in a flavorful onion broth, soaking up all the deliciousness, and then they’re topped with melted Gruyere cheese. This dish is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for a cozy meal. It’s an easy option that brings a taste of home cooking to your table.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping at the beginning, it’s mostly hands-off and comes together easily. You’ll have chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take about 5 minutes of your time. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays tender and doesn’t get overcooked.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala features tender chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and wine sauce, finished with a bit of cream right before serving. This dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, especially when paired with creamy mashed potatoes. It's simple to prepare and brings a comforting taste of home to your dinner table.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This dish is all about comfort and simplicity. With just a few minutes of prep, it’s ideal for busy days when you want a filling meal without spending too much time cooking. Everyone will love this hearty option that brings a taste of home.

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    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew

    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew
    Photo Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

    This stew is a classic comfort food that serves a crowd, making it great for family dinners on Sundays. It's simple enough to whip up during the week too, so you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

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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. It combines rich flavors and hearty ingredients, all while using simple items you probably already have in your pantry. With this recipe, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time, perfect for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Chicken is a tasty dish that's great for busy weeknights or weekends. With this simple recipe, you can spend very little time getting everything ready, and it will cook while you take care of other things. By the time dinner rolls around, you'll have a hearty meal waiting for you.

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    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

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

    This easy crockpot Mexican casserole is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Packed with all the flavors you love from Mexican cuisine, it offers a healthier and more affordable option than takeout. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. It's an easy option that can quickly become a go-to favorite.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    Crockpot Steak Bites are a simple and affordable way to enjoy delicious beef without breaking the bank. Each piece is tender and juicy, and the flavorful sauce is perfect for dipping with some crusty bread. This slow cooker meal takes just a few minutes to prepare, making it a great option for busy nights.

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is so quick and easy to make. The combination of tangy BBQ sauce, tender pieces of chicken, smokey bacon, and rich Monterey Jack cheese makes this a meal the whole family will love!

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    Crockpot Taco Pasta

    Taco pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Salty Pot.

    This dish is a perfect example of a comforting pasta meal. It features hearty beef, a creamy cheese sauce, and pasta that feels like a warm hug. Best of all, you can throw it together in under 15 minutes.

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    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole has everything you need: creamy chicken, mixed vegetables, and a crunchy layer of tater tots on top. It’s perfect for a quick meal, and you can prepare it in advance and freeze it for later. Whether you bake it right away or save it for another day, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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

    Chicken cacciatore is an easy dish to make using a slow cooker. It features a flavorful sauce made with diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onions, and Italian spices. This meal is great for summer when you want something filling but don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking. Just prepare the ingredients and let the slow cooker handle the rest. It’s a cozy dinner that brings a taste of Italy to your home.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and delicious dinner option that the whole family will enjoy. With a flavorful herby crust on the outside and a juicy, tender center, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. Plus, it only takes 50 minutes to prepare, using just a handful of easy ingredients.

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    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

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

    This dish combines Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in a slow cooker for a simple and tasty meal. It's an easy way to prepare dinner without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal that everyone will love.

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    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 vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It’s a straightforward dish that brings a taste of home cooking to your table.

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    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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