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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Dump-and-Cook Meals That Will Save You Time Tonight

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

    If you're looking for quick and easy meal ideas, dump-and-cook recipes are a lifesaver. These 21 meals require minimal prep and can be thrown together in no time, making them perfect for busy nights. With just a few ingredients and a slow cooker or oven, you can have a satisfying dinner ready with little effort.

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines chicken and broccoli for a hearty dinner. It's easy to make and you'll probably have some leftovers for later.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This simple meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a tasty one-pan meal. Just layer the ingredients in a casserole dish and let the oven handle the cooking.

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    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cassidy's Craveable Creations.

    This salmon dish is prepared in a tasty sweet and spicy sauce, all in one pan. It only takes 20 minutes to prepare, and you won't need to flip the salmon.

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    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This soup is packed with vegetables and cooked in a tasty broth. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, and you'll have a warm meal ready by dinner.

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

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Drumsticks & Potatoes

    Baked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Go Healthy Ever After.

    Sheet pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are a simple and tasty dinner option. The lemon garlic seasoning adds great flavor to the juicy chicken and crispy potatoes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

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    Baked Tilapia

    Baked tilapia.
    Photo credit: Organically Addison.

    Baked tilapia is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It's a great option for a fast dinner when you're short on time.

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    Potato Soup

    A bowl of potato soup.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This potato soup is easy to make in a slow cooker, needing only 10 minutes of prep before it cooks by itself. It's packed with flavor and is perfect for any weeknight dinner or a cozy Sunday meal that everyone will love.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This dinner is super easy to prepare, using just one sheet pan. Pick your favorite sausage and veggies, toss them together, and you're all set!

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This casserole features seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese, creating a simple and filling dinner for any weeknight. It's great for preparing in advance and can be frozen for later use.

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    Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls

    SLOW COOKER CABBAGE ROLLS.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls are an easy and tasty choice for dinner. Just toss everything into the pot and let it cook while you take it easy.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy sheet pan meal includes perfectly cooked lamb chops alongside fresh vegetables. The flavors mix together nicely, creating a dish you'll love.

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    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew

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

    This classic dish is great for feeding a crowd, making it ideal for family gatherings or busy weeknights. It's easy to put together and encourages everyone to enjoy a meal together.

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    Hearty Red Lentil Stew

    Hearty Red Lentil Stew
    Photo Credit: Plant Based on a Budget.

    This meal is full of veggies and plant-based protein. It’s simple to make in one pot and can be ready in under an hour.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot bolognese is an easy and delicious meal that comes together quickly. This hearty pasta sauce delivers all the classic flavors without spending hours cooking.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This roast beef is great for a family dinner. It has a flavorful herby crust and stays juicy, all done in just 50 minutes!

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    Firecracker Salmon

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

    This is a simple dinner you can put together in just 15 minutes. The zesty sauce brings a lively flavor that will elevate your meal.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    This salmon is super easy to make and only requires three ingredients. It's a great option for anyone looking for a quick and delicious dinner.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is super simple to prepare; just combine everything in one dish, bake it, and savor the comforting flavors. The blend of mozzarella and gorgonzola gives it a rich, cheesy taste with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This chicken and pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is easy to prepare and full of flavor. It's perfect for a cozy dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken bacon pasta.
      Stress-Free Cooking: 22 Easy Dinners You Can Set and Forget
    • 25 Stupid Simple Recipes Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      22 Dump-And-Go Dinners We’re Making Every Week
    • Creamy crockpot tortellini.
      Simplify Summer: 18 Crockpot Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    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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