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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Dump-and-Cook Dishes That Are Perfect for Cold Weather

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 2, 2025, updated January 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    As the temperatures drop, there's nothing quite like a warm, hearty meal to cozy up with. These 23 dump-and-cook dishes are perfect for chilly days, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it simmer away. With minimal prep and maximum comfort, these recipes will keep you warm and satisfied all season long.

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
    Photo Credit: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen.

    Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a warm and cozy dish perfect for chilly days. Pair it with some crusty bread to enjoy the cheesy goodness and you've got a satisfying meal.

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    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken dish is a great choice for a weeknight meal. Juicy chicken thighs are covered in a tasty glaze that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This is a simple dinner that you can prepare all on one sheet pan. Feel free to mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables.

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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.

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    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup is a simple and tasty dish made with canned tomatoes, basil, and a few easy seasonings that blend together nicely in the Crock Pot. It pairs perfectly with grilled cheese or crackers for a comforting lunch or dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Hot Chicken is an easy way to enjoy flavorful chicken with a kick. With just a few seasonings and Frank’s hot sauce, this dish is great for chilly days.

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    Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    Baked potato soup in a slow cooker.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This soup is perfect for a cozy dinner on a cold day, as it cooks in the crockpot with minimal effort. Chunks of potato and vegetables simmer in a flavorful chicken broth, then get a creamy boost from evaporated milk and cheese.

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    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup

    Crockpot Ham and Beans Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    Crockpot ham and beans soup is a great way to use up leftover ham from any holiday. It's filling and tasty, making it a perfect choice for cold weather meals that everyone will love!

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, perfect for a cozy meal. It's a simple and satisfying option for chilly days.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a cozy dinner any night. With tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it’s a dish that everyone will love.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen,

    Slow cooker chicken and broccoli over rice is a simple dish that comes together with minimal effort. This family-friendly meal features tender chicken in a creamy cheese sauce, paired with plenty of broccoli.

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    Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

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

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken features tender chicken thighs coated in a tasty sauce made from apple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, and a mix of seasonings. This dish is perfect for cozy nights when you want something comforting and easy to prepare.

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    Slow Cooker Salsa Meatloaf

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

    Salsa Meatloaf gives a fun twist to the classic dish by using salsa instead of ketchup, along with the usual ingredients. This easy recipe is perfect for dinner and can be prepared with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

    Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo.
    Photo Credit: Fit As a Mama Bear.

    This creamy chicken dish is perfect for chilly evenings. It's simple to prepare, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

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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 is delicious.

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    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    Chicken thighs come together in just 10 minutes and are cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce, making this a great dinner option for busy weeknights.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and ready in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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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.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple is packed with a great mix of spicy and sweet flavors that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to make in just one pan and includes plenty of healthy vegetables.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for cold weather and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Comfort food brings warmth and satisfaction during chilly days. This dish is hearty and packed with delicious flavors in every bite.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

    Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This dish features tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy buttermilk biscuit dumplings all simmered in a creamy broth. It's a comforting meal that's simple to put together, perfect for chilly days.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This cheesy mac and cheese is made in just one dish, so there's no need to pre-cook anything. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s a simple and comforting meal that’s perfect for chilly days.

    Get the recipe

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      18 Memorial Day Casseroles That Are Perfect for a Crowd

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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