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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Lazy Dump-and-Coook Dinners That Are Deliciously Easy to Make

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 6, 2025, updated April 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but these 20 dump-and-cook dinners are here to save the day. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you can whip up satisfying meals that require little effort. Just toss everything in one pot or slow cooker, and let it do the work for you.

    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 great choice for an easy and tasty dinner in the crockpot. The steak comes out tender and juicy, coated in a sweet and savory sauce.

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    Crockpot Cornish Game Hens

    Cornish Game Hens Crockpot Recipe
    Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This is a super simple and delicious dinner choice. Everything cooks together in the Crockpot, giving you an easy one-pot meal with minimal effort.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    Crockpot Steak Bites are a simple and budget-friendly dinner option. With minimal prep, you can let them cook in the slow cooker and enjoy tender beef with a delicious sauce perfect for dipping bread.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish combines comforting flavors in an easy way, making it great for a quick meal. It's a vegan choice that fills you up without much effort.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a great option for a family dinner. In just 50 minutes, you can have a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center using common ingredients.

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

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    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

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

    This dish combines canned tomatoes, basil, and basic spices for a simple meal. It's a quick option that pairs well with grilled cheese or crackers.

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    Baked Ham Penne Pasta

    Baked Ham Penne Pasta.
    Photo credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

    Baked Ham Penne Pasta is a go-to dish that everyone loves. With penne pasta, tasty ham, and a creamy garlic cheese sauce, this meal is great for using up leftover ham.

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    Firecracker Salmon

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

    Firecracker Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and has a spicy sauce that gives the salmon a nice kick. This is a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will love.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn are combined in a slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce for a simple and filling dinner. This one-pot meal is great for busy nights.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

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

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy chicken and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a simple and delicious meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time cooking.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is quick to prepare and goes straight into the oven. You'll enjoy tender vegetables in a tasty garlic sauce.

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    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Three Bean Taco Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is quick and easy, ready in just 10 minutes. It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be frozen, making it a handy choice for any evening.

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    Garlic Lemon Gemelli

    Gemelli Garlic Lemon Pasta.
    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    Garlic lemon pasta is a quick and tasty meal perfect for busy nights. You can have it ready in under 30 minutes, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is a quick and easy meal that comes together in just 15 minutes. Using Greek yogurt and pesto, this dish highlights the delicious taste of salmon with minimal effort.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken and broccoli pasta bake is a hearty dinner that provides delicious leftovers. It's easy to put together, making it perfect for busy nights.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy sheet-pan dinner brings together chicken, veggies, and sauce all in one place. It's perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and simple.

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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 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.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Mac and Cheese is simple to prepare and doesn't take much time. With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a tasty baked dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Bacon potato casserole.
      21 Cheap Casseroles That Are Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
    • A plate with mashed potatoes and salisbury steak.
      21 Grandma Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Make You Feel Right at Home
    • French onion pasta.
      22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights
    • Jackfruit sandwiches.
      17 Easy Vegetarian Crockpot Meals That Are Full of Flavor

    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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