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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-And-Cook Meal Prep Dinners So Easy Anyone Can Make Them

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 19, 2025, updated September 17, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 22 dump-and-cook meal prep dinners are perfect for anyone looking for quick and easy options. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a delicious meal without the fuss. Whether you're short on time or just want to simplify your cooking routine, these recipes have you covered.

    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole

    Slow Cooker Mexican Bubble Up Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole is a simple and tasty option that combines all the great flavors of a Mexican pizza. With just five ingredients, it comes together easily and cooks slowly to bring out the best in each flavor. It's a great choice for a satisfying meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This dinner is super simple and full of great flavor. You have pasta and Italian sausage mixed together in a creamy tomato sauce, making it a filling one-pot meal. It's perfect for the whole family, including those who are usually hard to please when it comes to food.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and are super easy to prepare. With just a few minutes of prep time and a quick bake, you can have a satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a simple and filling dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked with a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This simple Mexican Lasagna uses ravioli to create tasty layers without any fuss. It's perfect for busy nights because you can just layer the ingredients without needing to thaw the ravioli first. Just put everything together and you're ready to enjoy a satisfying meal.

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    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to prepare a big batch of this Tex-Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner can be ready with very little effort. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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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 come together in the slow cooker with a tasty garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple to prepare and cooks all at once, making it a great option for busy nights. The combination of flavors makes it a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Greek Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

    Greek Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Greek Foodie.

    A Greek Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner is a simple and tasty meal that you can have on the table in about an hour. This dish features roasted onions, red peppers, and potato wedges alongside flavorful Greek sausages, allowing all the ingredients to blend together beautifully. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Peach Barbecue Glaze

    Chicken with sweet barbecue glaze served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

    This simple main dish features chicken smothered in a sweet peach barbecue sauce. With just five ingredients, it's a breeze to prepare. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is all about convenience and flavor.

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    Cheese Tortellini Bake

    Cheese Tortellini Bake
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This meal comes together in just 20 minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen. You can enjoy a hearty vegetarian dish with minimal effort. This is a solid choice for anyone seeking a straightforward meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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

    Slow cooker chicken cacciatore is a simple and tasty take on a classic dish. Just toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This is a great option for a laid-back weeknight dinner.

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    Beef Stew

    Beef Stew Recipe.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This beef stew is packed with great flavors and is super easy to prepare. You can make it in the oven or in a slow cooker, giving you flexibility depending on your schedule. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

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    Instant Pot Fettucine Alfredo

    A bowl of fettuccini alfredo.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This pasta dish is creamy, rich, and incredibly tasty. It's a simple one-pot meal that practically cooks itself, making it perfect for busy nights. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

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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, making it perfect for a quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that everyone will enjoy and is sure to become a go-to favorite.

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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 and tasty option for a weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

    Crispy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Slow cooker pork carnitas are simple to prepare, needing only about 10 minutes of your time before they cook all afternoon. The result is tender, shredded pork with crispy edges, perfect for filling soft flour tortillas. Topped with diced onion and cilantro, this dish is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table.

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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 crockpot 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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    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This sheet pan beef and broccoli is a simple and tasty meal that anyone can whip up. With just a handful of ingredients and very little clean-up, you can enjoy a healthy dish without spending hours in the kitchen. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying and quick.

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    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    A tender and juicy turkey breast is roasted with garlic and butter, resting on a bed of vibrant low-carb vegetables. This simple one-pan meal is packed with protein and is perfect for a quick dinner. It's an easy way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

    Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken mixed with a creamy sauce and seasoned stuffing, resulting in a warm and comforting meal. It's satisfying and requires minimal effort to prepare. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe is straightforward enough for anyone to whip up.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This recipe is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for a satisfying meal. With just a few basic ingredients from your pantry, you can whip this up in about 30 minutes. It's a filling option that anyone can prepare, making it great for busy evenings.

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    Mexican Steak Bites

    Mexican Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Steak adds a rich flavor to any meal, and these steak bites take it up a notch. Seasoned with taco spices, they are paired with a creamy queso sauce that complements the meat perfectly. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      29 Fall Dips and Appetizers That Make the Season Even Cozier
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      27 Cozy Soups That Will Warm Your Soul This Fall
    • Taco casserole.
      21 Delicious Dump-and-Go Casseroles for Stress-Free Cooking
    • Carne guisada.
      30 Hearty Slow Cooker Dishes for Your Next Potluck

    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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