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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Hearty Dump-and-Cook Dishes You'll Want to Try Tonight

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 15, 2025, updated January 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    If you're looking for easy and satisfying meals, dump-and-cook dishes are the way to go. These recipes require minimal prep and let you throw everything into one pot or slow cooker, making dinner a breeze. From hearty casseroles to comforting soups, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy tonight.

    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.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. It's easy to prepare in one pan, making it a great choice for a quick dinner on busy weeknights.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Posole Stew

    Slow Cooker Recipe With Chicken: Chicken Posole Stew
    Photo Credit: G Free Foodie.

    Chicken Posole Stew is a comforting dish that's perfect for chilly days. It features hominy, which is dried corn that's been soaked and had its hull removed, adding a unique texture and flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic enchilada flavors in a simple layered dish. With corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and red enchilada sauce, it's a comforting meal perfect for chilly days.

    Get the recipe

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

    Chicken tikka masala served over white rice.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This is a great option for busy weekdays when you want a simple and tasty Indian-inspired dish. Just throw everything into your Crock Pot and relax while it cooks!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Hot Chili

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

    This chili is packed with flavor from bacon and has a nice kick from serrano peppers. It's perfect for warming up on chilly days.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This soup combines all the classic flavors of stuffed bell peppers, simmered slowly in your Crock Pot. It's a hearty and simple meal that's perfect for weeknights during the colder months.

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    Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken tortillas soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This crock-pot chicken tortilla soup is a hit with the family and perfect for chilly days. It's tasty, healthy, and you can easily freeze any leftovers.

    Get the recipe

    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 packed with fresh veggies, ground beef, and pasta. It's a filling and cozy meal that has everything you need in one bowl!

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Carne Guisada

    Crock Pot Carne Guisada (Mexican Beef Stew).
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    This beef stew is packed with flavor and features tender beef that falls apart easily. It's a great option for a cozy meal on a chilly day.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and cozy meal perfect for chilly days. It’s all about throwing everything together and letting it cook, making it a great choice for when you want something warm without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup

    Slow Cooker Potato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen.

    Cheesy Slow Cooker Potato Soup with ham is a hearty dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. Pair it with some crusty bread for a cozy meal on a chilly day.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is prepared in a slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that's simple to make. It's perfect for chilly days when you want something warm and comforting.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is a healthy option that's gluten and dairy free. It's easy to prepare in the crockpot with poblano peppers and a flavorful Southwest broth.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken

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

    This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will love. With classic pizza ingredients like pepperoni and your choice of toppings, it's perfect for a cozy night in.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Tuscan White Bean Soup is filled with white beans, shredded chicken, fresh herbs, and some veggies, creating a tasty dish that everyone will love. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the Recipe

    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.

    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 BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Dizzy Cook.

    BBQ chicken thighs are simple to prepare, as you just toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker. They can be served whole or shredded for delicious BBQ chicken sandwiches, making this a great option for weeknight dinners.

    Get the Recipe

    Slow Cooker Nacho Soup

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

    If you love eating nachos, then you’ll enjoy this delicious Nacho Soup! Made with all the deliciousness of regular nachos, flavors from ground beef, Rotel, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning are cooked in a crock pot until perfection.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
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      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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