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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-And-Go Recipes for Busy Evenings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 13, 2025, updated August 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy evenings can make it tough to prepare a home-cooked meal, but with these 22 dump-and-go recipes, you can have a delicious dinner ready with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work while you focus on other things. These simple recipes are perfect for anyone looking to save time without sacrificing flavor.

    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.

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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, 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.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros

    Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow cook a tasty meal with these chicken gyros. Juicy chicken is wrapped in soft pita bread and loaded with fresh, crunchy veggies, making it a satisfying dish that everyone can enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and impressive meal that can be ready in just 30 minutes. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also looks fantastic and is packed with flavor, using just a few ingredients.

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    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.

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    Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Potatoes

    A bowl of garlic herb potatoes.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This recipe is perfect when the oven is already full. It’s a simple and quick option that doesn’t require much effort. You can throw everything together and let it cook while you focus on other things. It’s a great choice for busy nights when you still want a home-cooked meal.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole combines the familiar flavors of enchiladas with a variety of healthy veggies, resulting in a satisfying meal that appeals to everyone. Using just a few pantry staples and a slow cooker, this dish comes together effortlessly. It's an ideal choice for a warm family dinner and takes only a few hours to cook.

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    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    A beautifully browned roast chicken comes out of the oven, infused with garlicky grape juices and stuffed with creamy Brie. This dish is great for family dinners and has a festive touch that works well for the holidays. It's simple to prepare and brings a comforting, home-cooked feel to any meal.

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    Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork

    Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork is tender and full of flavor. It's a simple dish to prepare, and the leftovers are just as tasty. This is a great option for a satisfying meal any day of the week.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

    Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This creamy pasta dish combines all the delicious flavors of chicken cordon bleu in a slow cooker. It's hearty and satisfying, making it a great choice for dinner. With its rich taste, this is a meal you'll find yourself wanting to prepare time and time again.

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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 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.

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    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken brings together chicken, sundried tomatoes, chicken broth, and a few basic seasonings for a tasty dish. It requires very little prep time and cooks in about 3 hours, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This meal is simple to prepare and delivers great flavor with minimal effort.

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    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

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

    This casserole is simple to prepare and doesn't require any boiling. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce seasoned with Italian herbs. It's a comforting dish that brings a bit of Grandma's kitchen to your table.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Peachy Barbecue Ribs

    Peachy barbecue ribs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Crockpot Peachy Barbecue Ribs are all about tender pork that just falls off the bone, covered in a delicious peach barbecue sauce that's both sweet and tangy. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress friends with minimal effort. It's a comforting meal that brings a taste of home right to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    These Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos feature tender, shredded chicken cooked in a flavorful sauce. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work. Before serving, a quick trip under the broiler with some cheese adds a nice touch. It's a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy is a classic comfort dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich gravy. This creamy sauce pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, bread, rice, or noodles. It’s a simple and filling meal that brings the warmth of home cooking without much effort.

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    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.

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil chicken pasta bake. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.

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    Slow Cooker Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwiches

    Slow Cooker Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwiches.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Cayenne pepper and smoked paprika give chicken breasts a nice kick, resulting in a delicious hot honey chicken sandwich. This sweet and spicy combination is perfect for anyone craving a satisfying meal. It's a simple dish that brings together great flavors, making it a fantastic choice for lunch or dinner.

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    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This meal is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights. It features flavors that the whole family loves, making it a great choice for dinner. You'll find that this simple dish will quickly become a staple in your home.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 Easy Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Hot Days
    • A bowl of cheeseburger soup.
      20 Simple Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Meal Prepping
    • Dorito casserole.
      20 Grandma Approved Dinner Casseroles You’ll Want to Try This Week
    • Gnocchi soup.
      21 Satisfying Dinners You Can Just Dump and Cook

    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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