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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Dump-And-Go Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 27, 2025, updated July 1, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially on busy days. These 23 dump-and-go recipes make meal prep a breeze, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it do the work for you. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, these dishes will simplify your weeknight dinners.

    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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    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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    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in less than an hour, from beginning to end. It's a simple and satisfying meal that brings a taste of home cooking to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is a simple and tasty dish that everyone will enjoy. Using a well-seasoned pork shoulder, this recipe allows the meat to cook slowly, resulting in tender and flavorful pulled pork. It’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner, and it requires minimal effort to prepare.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare, combining everything in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, creating a satisfying meal. You can easily customize it to suit your preferences.

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    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious and easy meal that everyone will enjoy. With smoked sausage, Cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, it’s a comforting dish that brings a bit of Southern flavor to your table. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe requires minimal effort while delivering great taste.

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    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    This Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken is packed with flavorful spices and a touch of citrus that really brings it to life. It's an easy and straightforward recipe that you can throw together in your crockpot. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic flavors of enchiladas in a simple, layered dish. It features corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and rich red enchilada sauce, all stacked together like a lasagna. It's a comforting meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week.

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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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    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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    Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

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

    This cranberry chicken dish is simple and requires just four ingredients: chicken breasts, French onion soup mix, French onion dressing, and cranberry sauce. It's an easy meal that brings a touch of comfort from Grandma's kitchen. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe allows you to put together a satisfying dinner without a lot of work.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Rice.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice is a simple one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy families. The chicken turns out tender, the rice is fluffy, and the crunchy broccoli adds a nice touch. This dish is great for a cozy dinner without a lot of work.

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    Baked Ranch Chicken

    Baked ranch chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This dish is simple to prepare and creates a creamy sauce while it bakes. The chicken turns out tender and juicy, covered in a tasty gravy and finished with a crunchy layer of panko breadcrumbs. It's a comforting meal that brings a bit of Grandma's kitchen right to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Tapatio Chicken Dip

    Slow Cooker Tapatio Chicken Dip.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    This Tapatio chicken dip combines the tasty goodness of rotisserie chicken, ranch dressing, two kinds of cheese, and a kick from Tapatio hot sauce. It's a simple dish that packs a lot of flavor and is sure to be a hit at any gathering. If you love buffalo chicken dip, this one is definitely worth a try.

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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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    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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    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

    Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic.

    Nashville Hot Chicken meets a Shredded Chicken Sandwich in this delicious dish. It's a perfect blend of spicy and savory flavors that come together effortlessly. This meal is simple to prepare and is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata

    Chicken piccata.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata features a delicious mix of lemon, chicken broth, capers, and dijon mustard that everyone in the family will enjoy. It requires just a little bit of prep work, and after a few hours in the slow cooker, you'll have a tasty meal ready to serve. This dish is perfect for a busy evening when you want something comforting and satisfying.

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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 cooked 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 a simple and satisfying meal that brings warmth to the table.

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    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Creamy Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Ground beef is browned with some chopped onion, then tossed into the crock pot along with taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, cream cheese, and a few spices. This simple combination creates a tasty taco soup that's easy to prepare. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    These simple, pizza baked beans are perfect for busy weeknights! Mix some canned, drained beans with a bit of pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, and bake for a quick, cozy dinner that's perfect with a loaf of crusty bread. All done in 30 minutes!

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    Salsa Chicken

    A bowl of salsa chicken.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken is a simple dinner option that fits perfectly into a busy schedule. With just a few ingredients and under five minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious meal ready for your family. This dish is sure to become a favorite at the dinner table.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lazy lasagna.
      20 Casseroles for Busy Nights: Just Prep, Set and Forget!
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Occasion
    • Pesto tortellini.
      19 Kid-Approved Vegetarian Dinners That Are Perfect for Summer
    • Zucchini casserole.
      22 Dump-and-Go Casseroles So Easy, You’ll Wonder Why You Didn’t Try Them Sooner

    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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