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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Dump-And-Go Meal Prep Dinners You’ll Want to Try Right Now

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 18, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for easy and delicious dinner ideas, dump-and-go meals are the way to go. These recipes require minimal prep and can be tossed into a slow cooker or oven, making weeknight cooking a breeze. From hearty stews to flavorful casseroles, these 20 meal prep dinners will save you time and keep your family satisfied.

    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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    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole is a simple slow cooker dish that’s perfect for busy days. It’s budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and loved by the whole family. This meal is also great for making ahead and freezing, making dinner time a breeze.

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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 slow cooker for an easy meal that everyone can 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 Sloppy Joes

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are a simple dinner option that you can set and forget. Ground beef and vegetables cook together in the slow cooker, creating a flavorful meal with minimal effort. This dish is great for lunch or dinner on those hectic days.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, mushrooms, and spinach with pasta in a rich tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for family dinners or when you have a crowd to feed. It's a simple meal that you'll find yourself making again and again.

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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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    Crock-Pot Honey Bourbon Steak Tips

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips (Crock-Pot)
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips are a simple and satisfying dish that cooks slowly in the crockpot. The meat turns out tender and juicy, all while soaking up a tasty sweet and savory sauce. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, bringing a bit of Grandma's kitchen right to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew

    Slow Cooker Poor Man’s Stew.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This stew features ground beef and is a filling meal that you can whip up with very little effort and cost. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish brings a taste of home cooking that’s easy to enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken is a great choice for a weeknight dinner. It features tender chicken and colorful vegetables simmered in a delicious, sticky sauce. This dish is perfect when served over rice, making it a filling and enjoyable meal.

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

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

    This casserole is simple to prepare and perfect for a family meal. With a mix of zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. It’s a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is simple to make and packed with flavor, all thanks to the slow cooker. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives, creating a delicious combination. Perfect for busy nights, this dish requires minimal effort while delivering a satisfying meal.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are a hearty and flavorful meal, featuring tender beef, savory mushrooms, and a rich broth. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Carne Guisada

    Crock Pot Carne Guisada (Mexican Beef Stew).
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This beef stew is a comforting dish that brings back memories of home-cooked meals. With its rich flavors and tender beef, it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for those busy nights when you want something hearty without spending hours 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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    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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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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

    Chicken cacciatore is simple to prepare with a slow cooker. The rich sauce combines diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onions, and Italian spices. This dish is perfect for summer days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work for you. Enjoy a comforting dinner that brings the flavors of Italy right to your table.

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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 Mexican Shredded Chicken

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken features tender, juicy chicken packed with rich, smoky flavors. Cooked slowly in a well-seasoned tomato sauce, this dish results in chicken that falls apart easily and is full of taste. It's a versatile meal that can be used in various dishes, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

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    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy is a classic dish that turns out incredibly tender in a creamy mushroom and onion gravy. It's a great choice for a weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. This dish brings a sense of comfort and warmth, making it perfect for any occasion.

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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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    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Set It and Forget It Casseroles That Will Make Meal Prep a Breeze
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      21 Simple Slow Cooker Dinners That Let You Relax While They Cook
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      21 Easy Crockpot Summer Meals You Can Just Set and Forget
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      18 Quick Dinners That Taste Like They Came from a Five-Star Restaurant

    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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