• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-And-Go Dinners We’re Making Every Week

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 12, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make dinner time a challenge, but with these 22 easy dump-and-go dinners, you can have a satisfying meal on the table with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, set it, and let it do the work for you. These recipes are perfect for anyone looking to save time while still enjoying a hearty meal.

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take about 5 minutes of your time. They combine cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon for a complete meal all in one package. Using frozen cod helps ensure the fish stays tender and doesn’t get overcooked.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are a simple and tasty dinner option. With just chicken breasts, jarred salsa, and some spices, you can whip up flavorful tacos that everyone can enjoy. These tacos are easy to customize, so you can add your favorite toppings and make them just the way you like.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf

    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Salsa Meatloaf is a fun twist on the classic dish. By swapping out ketchup for salsa, you get a fresh flavor that’s easy to enjoy. This straightforward recipe is perfect for dinner and can be prepared with minimal effort.

    Get the Recipe

    Ground Turkey White Chili

    Ground Turkey White Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Perks of Being Us.

    This dinner is super easy to make in a slow cooker. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, letting you do a little prep in the morning and come home to a hot meal. Just slice a lime, chop an avocado, and shred some cheese to top off the chili. This ground turkey dish is a great option for a chilly winter night!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as everything goes into the slow cooker. You can serve the chicken thighs whole or shred them for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches. This dish is great for weeknight dinners when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Mayo.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This slow cooker mayo chicken is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table, including the kids. It's an easy dish that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy evenings. Just set it up and let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your time with family.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Confessions of a Fit Foodie.

    This dish combines all the delicious flavors of enchiladas into a simple slow cooker meal. There's no need to roll up tortillas or bake anything, making it a straightforward one-pot option. Just layer tortillas, tender chicken, and lots of cheese for a cozy meal that the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry

    Slow Cooker Lamb Curry.
    Photo Credit: Veena Azmanov.

    This Indian lamb curry is super easy to make. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do its thing. The lamb cooks slowly with the rich flavors of curry powder and coconut milk, becoming tender and delicious.

    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, 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.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Beef Stew

    Thai Beef Stew.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    This Thai Beef Stew is simple to prepare, whether you use a slow cooker or cook it on the stove. Just toss all the ingredients into a pot and let it simmer for 4 to 8 hours. It's a straightforward meal that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy days.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Fire-roasted green chilies, jalapenos, and ranch dressing come together with boneless skinless chicken breasts to create a tasty Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken. This dish is a fun take on a classic appetizer that everyone in the family will love. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup

    Slow Cooker Vegetable Alphabet Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Alphabet soup packed with vegetables is a fun and healthy meal that everyone will love. This vegetarian dish is perfect for a quick dinner, bringing a bit of nostalgia from Grandma's kitchen. It's simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

    Get the Recipe

    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is prepared in the slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that requires minimal effort. It's a simple option for dinner that brings comfort and warmth to the table. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish allows you to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    These one pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are the ultimate easy weeknight dinner for busy nights! Lemony chicken legs and perfectly roasted potatoes are warm and cozy without being too heavy. While they bake, prepare a simple green salad and enjoy a complete, nutritious meal faster than you could order takeout!

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Red Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken and Red Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    A slow cooker is a great way to whip up a simple baked ranch chicken dish that your family will love. With only five ingredients, this chicken and potatoes recipe is perfect for those hectic weeknights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Corn chowder is a comforting dish that brings the flavors of summer right to your table, whether you choose fresh or frozen corn. This creamy soup is hearty and satisfying, perfect for a cozy meal. Topping it with crispy bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese adds extra flavor and texture.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sliders are a tasty choice that combines the zesty flavor of barbecue chicken with the ease of using your slow cooker. Perfect for gatherings or a simple weeknight meal, these sliders are sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Creamy crockpot tortellini.
      Simplify Summer: 18 Crockpot Dinners You Can Set and Forget
    • Walking taco casserole.
      25 Easy Meal Prep Recipes That Save You Time and Money
    • Chicken pasta salad.
      18 Southern Summer Recipes That Will Make You Forget the Heat
    • Tater tot casserole.
      25 Simple Ground Beef Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      22 Dump-And-Go Dinners We’re Making Every Week
    • Broccoli grilled cheese.
      20 Easy Vegetarian Summer Dinner Recipes
    • Velveeta cheese soup.
      17 Dump-And-Go Beef Dinners for Busy Evenings
    • Ribs.
      18 Grandma Approved Crockpot Dinners So Easy Anyone Can Make Them

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB