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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-and-Cook Veggie Packed Meals for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 24, 2025, updated April 8, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook during busy weeknights can be a challenge, especially when you want to eat a bit healthier. These 22 dump-and-cook veggie packed meals make it easy to prepare nutritious dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a satisfying meal that’s full of flavor and good for you.

    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 veggies, resulting in tender meat that’s delicious.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sheet pan chicken fajitas are packed with flavor and require only a few minutes of prep before baking. You can have a satisfying dinner ready in under 30 minutes with this easy recipe.

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    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew

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

    This stew is a classic comfort food that serves a crowd, making it great for family dinners. It's simple enough to whip up even on busy weeknights.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    This is a simple meal that you can quickly prepare and let simmer on its own. With juicy chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and Indian spices, it’s a tasty dish that’s gluten and dairy free.

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    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole is packed with creamy chicken, mixed vegetables, and topped with crispy tater tots. It’s perfect for a quick meal that everyone will enjoy, and you can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is easy to prepare and great for a quick family dinner, taking less than 45 minutes from start to finish. Just roast chicken thighs along with Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots in a tasty marinade.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a quick and healthy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in 30 minutes, and you'll only need to clean one pan afterwards!

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    Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils

    Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup with Red Lentils
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This dish is packed with protein from red lentils and is full of warming spices. It's easy to make in an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or on the stove, making it a great option for when you're feeling tired.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight meal. It's filled with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and hearty barley, making it a satisfying dish to come home to.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features chicken thighs and broccoli cooked together in a simple sauce made from soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and ginger paste. It's a quick and tasty one-pot meal that's perfect for when you're too tired to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken tortillas soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This crock-pot chicken tortilla soup is a hit with the family and packed with flavor. It's healthy and can be stored in the freezer for later.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Sheet pan oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and vegetables is a simple dinner that you can whip up in just 25 minutes using only one pan. It's perfect for those nights when you want something easy and satisfying without a lot of work.

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    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This is an easy casserole that you can throw together without boiling anything. It includes bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices.

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    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This creamy vegan pasta bake is simple to prepare and loaded with veggies. It's delicious whether served hot or cold!

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    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This veggie-loaded dump-and-cook dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you just want something easy. This Mexican casserole is packed with delicious flavors and is a healthier, more affordable option than takeout.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    If you're a a gnocchi fan, you have to try this recipe! Gnocchi is roasted in the oven after a good toss in olive oil. It gets a bit of a nice crust, but remains tender in the middle.

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    Garlic Lemon Gemelli

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

    This dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is packed with flavor. A garlic lemon pasta that will have everyone asking for more.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup is packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a filling and cozy meal that has everything you need in one bowl!

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple. With just a little chopping to begin, everything cooks together with chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce for a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a simple and fast dinner that everyone will enjoy. Using a sheet pan means you can just throw everything together without needing to stir it constantly.

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    Beef Stew

    Beef Stew Recipe.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This hearty beef stew is packed with great flavors and is super easy to make. You can prepare it in the oven or a slow cooker, giving you flexibility for your cooking style.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Stew

    Chicken stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Stew is super simple to prepare. Just spend 10 minutes getting it ready, then let it cook on its own for a hearty meal filled with veggies in less than 45 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
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      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • John Wayne casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Cook Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • Baked ratatouille.
      18 Memorial Day Casseroles That Are a Guaranteed Hit

    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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