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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Dump-And-Cook Recipes You Need Tonight

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 10, 2025, updated March 7, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for quick and easy meals that require minimal prep, dump-and-cook recipes are the way to go. These 20 recipes let you throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it do the work for you. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes are simple, satisfying, and full of flavor.

    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This Italian dinner is simple and tasty, making it great for busy weeknights or relaxed Sundays. It's packed with flavor and goes well with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is incredibly easy to prepare with just three ingredients. It's a simple and delicious option for dinner that won't take much time.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a quick and easy dinner option that takes only 8-10 minutes to prepare. The marinade adds great flavor, ensuring the meat comes out tender and juicy.

    Get the recipe

    Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This dish combines tender beef with filling root vegetables, creating a straightforward and cozy meal for any night. It's perfect for when you want something easy and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a quick dinner option that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. With its spicy and tangy sauce, this dish is sure to be a standout on your dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    Salsa Chicken

    A bowl of salsa chicken.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken is a great choice for busy evenings when you want a simple dinner. With just a few easy ingredients and little prep time, it's sure to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken tray bake is a straightforward dinner choice for busy weeknights. Simply mix chicken thighs with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots in a flavorful marinade, then roast everything together for a tasty meal in less than 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Chicken Soup

    A bowl of chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Soup is a warm and satisfying dinner that you can have ready in just over an hour. It's creamy with a touch of spice, making it a great choice for a cozy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Wonton Soup is easy to prepare using frozen wontons and pre-chopped vegetables, making it a great option for a quick dinner. It's a simple meal that doesn't require much time or effort.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple is a flavorful and easy meal that everyone will love. You can prepare it all in one pan with some healthy vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a simple dinner that comes together in just a few minutes and cooks in under an hour. With spicy buffalo sauce, fresh spinach, and plenty of cheese, it's a delicious meal perfect for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. You can have a satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes with this simple dish.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This stew features tender beef, soft potatoes, carrots, and onions simmered in a flavorful broth. It's an easy crockpot dish perfect for any evening.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and tasty option for family dinner. In just 50 minutes, you can enjoy a juicy roast with a flavorful herby crust using everyday ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    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 ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This one-pan Mac and Cheese is simple and tasty, perfect for a quick dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a cheesy dish featuring Cheddar and Gruyere.

    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 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

    Buffalo Chicken Chili

    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
    Photo Credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    Slow cooker buffalo chicken chili is an easy dish perfect for busy days and game nights. It mixes traditional chili flavors with a spicy buffalo wing kick, creating a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Sausage Tray Bake

    Sausage tray bake.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Tranquility.

    This sausage tray bake is full of flavor and easy to prepare in just one pan. It includes plenty of veggies, potatoes, and gravy for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken and broccoli is a simple and filling dinner that you can whip up quickly. It’s perfect for busy evenings and you’ll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Poor man's stew.
      25 Easy Dump-And-Cook Recipes to Make With Beef
    • Bacon wrapped salmon.
      23 Recipes That Prove Everything Is Better with Bacon
    • Buffalo chicken lasagna rolls.
      18 Cheesy Chicken Recipes That Are Simply Irresistible
    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Bake Dinner Casseroles That Get the Job Done

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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