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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Dump-and-Cook Dishes to Keep You Cozy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 13, 2025, updated January 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When the weather turns chilly, there's nothing better than a warm, comforting meal that requires minimal effort. These 25 dump-and-cook dishes are perfect for cozy nights in, allowing you to throw everything into a pot or slow cooker and let it do the work for you. From hearty stews to creamy casseroles, these recipes will keep you warm and satisfied without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Baked Ranch Chicken

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

    This recipe is simple and creates a creamy sauce while it cooks. Enjoy tender chicken covered in a tasty gravy and topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs.

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    Crock Pot Country Style Pork Ribs

    Slow cooker country style ribs served with mashed potatoes.
    Photo Credit: The Cheerful Cook.

    These ribs are incredibly easy to prepare and turn out tender and delicious. With just a few simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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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    Authentic Slow Cooker Birria

    Authentic Slow Cooker Birria.
    Photo Credit: Muy Bueno Blog.

    Birria de Res is a flavorful dish that's perfect for any gathering. This authentic Mexican recipe can be enjoyed as delicious tacos or a hearty stew.

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    Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

    Buffalo Chicken Chili (Slow Cooker)
    Photo Credit: The Nessy Kitchen.

    This slow cooker buffalo chicken chili is a simple dish that’s great for busy weekdays and game days. It blends the classic flavors of chili with the spicy kick of buffalo wings, making it a cozy meal for cold weather.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Noodles Soup.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    This soup is warm and comforting, perfect for chilly days. It combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles in a flavorful broth, and you can prep everything in just 10 minutes while the slow cooker handles the rest.

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    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hamburger potato casserole is simple to make with just five ingredients, offering a filling mix of beef, brown gravy, and onions. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want a warm and satisfying meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with a mix of vegetables and seasonings, creating a warm and comforting meal. It's perfect for cold weather and is easy to prepare with minimal effort.

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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.

    This Cream of Chicken & Leek Soup is a simple and tasty dish with just 6 ingredients. It's a great option for busy families looking for a warm meal on a chilly day.

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    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup

    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup.
    Photo Credit: Whiskful Cooking.

    Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup combines spicy hot sauce, tender chicken, and sweet corn in a comforting bowl of soup. It's a simple way to enjoy the flavors of chicken wings without much effort.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and completely plant-based. It's perfect for chilly days when you want something comforting without a lot of work.

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    Butternut Squash Soup

    Butternut Squash Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This butternut squash soup is creamy, comforting, and super easy to prepare. With simple ingredients, it's a cozy dish that's perfect for chilly days and loved by everyone.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is easy to prepare in the oven. It features shrimp and Creole spiced andouille sausages, making it a great choice for a cozy meal.

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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 requires minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and under five minutes of prep time, this dish is bound to become a family favorite.

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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 Lasagna

    Slow cooker lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Slow Cooker Lasagna is filled with cheese and rich flavors. The slow cooker handles everything, from cooking the meat sauce to layering the lasagna, so you don’t have to boil the noodles separately.

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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

    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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    Ham Bone Soup

    Ham Bone Soup.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Leftover ham and the bone can be turned into something great. This hearty ham bone soup is a filling meal that uses up what you have.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This stew is a cozy meal that you can just throw together and let simmer. It features tender beef cooked with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a hearty broth.

    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 is delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

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

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are seasoned well and cooked until they're super tender. This is an easy main dish that goes great with any sides you like.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone

    Slow Cooker Hamburger Minestrone.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup is loaded with fresh vegetables, ground beef, and pasta. This hearty, comforting soup is a complete meal in itself!

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    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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