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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Dump and Go Dinners: Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 20, 2025, updated June 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make cooking feel like a chore, but with these 23 dump and go dinners, you can enjoy flavorful meals with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work for you. Perfect for those who want to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    White Chicken Chili

    White Chicken Chili .
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This crockpot white chicken chili is a warm and filling dish that everyone loves. With just a few basic ingredients, it’s packed with flavor and has a creamy texture that makes it really satisfying. It’s super easy to prepare, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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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 and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, you can let everything cook together in one pan. It features chicken, veggies, and a flavorful sauce that all blend nicely, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans

    Crockpot Chicken Potatoes and Green Beans.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    Crockpot chicken with potatoes and green beans is a simple dinner that you can prepare with minimal effort. Everything cooks together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. It's perfect for those evenings when you just want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

    Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup is a hearty dish packed with beans and brown rice, all seasoned with flavorful spices and enchilada sauce. It's perfect for those evenings when you just want something comforting without putting in too much effort. This soup is not only filling but also brings a taste of Mexico right to your table.

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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 great way to save time while still enjoying a delicious meal. It’s a hearty pasta sauce that captures all the classic flavors, but you can whip it up quickly using simple ingredients you probably already have at home. Perfect for those nights when you just want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Juicy chicken cooks slowly in a creamy parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, filling your kitchen with a delicious aroma. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want a comforting meal without putting in a lot of effort. Just let it simmer, and dinner will be ready when you are.

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    Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken

    Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    This slow cooker recipe combines tender chicken breast with a mix of tangy cranberry sauce, zesty orange juice, sweet brown sugar, and fragrant rosemary. It's a simple dish that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights when you just want a comforting meal. The blend of flavors creates a delicious and satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Loaded Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

    Loaded Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes.
    Photo credit: Neighbor Food Blog.

    This simple recipe is a hit with the family and requires just 15 minutes of prep time. It’s perfect for those days when you want some classic comfort food that you can prepare in advance. With minimal effort, you can have a satisfying meal ready to go.

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    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup

    Slow Cooker Cream of Chicken and Leek Soup.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    Cream of Chicken & Leek Soup is a simple and satisfying dish that brings comfort to any meal. With just six ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and doesn’t require much effort. This soup is a great choice for busy families looking for an easy dinner option.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying. It's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot when you just want something warm and filling. Perfect for days when you don't feel like putting in a lot of effort, this recipe delivers great flavor with minimal work.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

    Slow Cooker Chicken Curry.
    Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

    This slow cooker chicken curry is perfect for a busy day. Just toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, and by the time you get home, you'll be greeted with the comforting aromas of curry, coconut, and cumin. It's a satisfying meal that pairs wonderfully with rice and warm naan, making it a family favorite.

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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 takes only 50 minutes to prepare. With a flavorful herby crust on the outside and a juicy, tender center, it's sure to please everyone at the table. You only need a few basic ingredients to whip this up, making it an easy choice for a satisfying meal.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will definitely fill you up. It's perfect for when you're too tired to think about what to make for dinner. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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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. It's a hearty meal that comes together quickly and easily, perfect for when you want something comforting without putting in a lot of effort. Enjoy a satisfying dinner that hits the spot.

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    Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

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

    This dish combines some classic pantry staples to create a delicious queso chicken that everyone will love. With the bold flavors of taco seasoning, Rotel, and salsa con queso, it brings a taste of Mexico right to your table. It's perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or a fun game day treat, making it a great addition to your meal plan.

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    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup

    Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This cheesy soup is a family favorite, packed with ground beef, potatoes, melted Velveeta cheese, chicken broth, vegetables, and seasonings. The ingredients blend together beautifully, creating a comforting dish that everyone will love. It's perfect for those nights when you want something hearty without putting in a lot of effort.

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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 super easy to prepare, taking only 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 perfectly cooked, so you don’t have to worry about it getting overdone.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Caprese

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

    This crockpot tomato and basil Caprese chicken is a great meal for any time of day. The chicken cooks slowly with chopped tomatoes and Italian herbs, making it super tender. It’s finished off with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella slices, and basil, giving it that classic Caprese salad flavor.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal offers a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking. The lamb chops roast in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s full of flavor. It’s a great option for when you want a delicious dinner with minimal effort.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dinner of delicious homemade comfort food. Even better, this chicken and rice bake is incredible as leftovers!

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It combines two delicious cheeses, including a zesty Gorgonzola, and adds a nice crunch with walnuts. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a simple and satisfying meal that doesn’t require much effort.

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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 those days when you don't want to spend a lot of time cooking.

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    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto

    Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Risotto can be a bit tricky to make, but using an Instant Pot simplifies the process. This method allows you to enjoy creamy, delicious risotto without spending too much time or effort in the kitchen. It's perfect for those evenings when you just want a comforting meal without a lot of fuss.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Hearty Crockpot Meals That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
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      19 Set It and Forget It Meal Prep Dinners for Beef Lovers
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      16 Gourmet Meals That Are Easier Than You 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.

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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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