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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    27 Hearty Dump-and-Cook Meals to Beat the Winter Chill

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 30, 2025, updated January 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    As the winter chill sets in, there's nothing quite like a warm, hearty meal to keep you cozy. These 27 dump-and-cook recipes are perfect for busy days when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a satisfying dish that warms you from the inside out.

    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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    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

    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

    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup

    Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
    Photo Credit: Bake with Jamie.

    This chicken wild rice soup is a comforting dish that's simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the crockpot and let it cook while you relax, and enjoy it with some crusty bread for a cozy meal.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Chicken thighs and broccoli florets are submerged in a homemade sauce made with soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, ginger paste, and a few other popular seasonings for a quick and delicious one-pot meal.

    Crock Pot 15 Bean Soup

    15 Bean Soup Crock Pot.
    Photo Credit: The Feathered Nester.

    A busy day calls for a simple meal, and 15 Bean Soup in a crock pot is just that. This slow cooker ham and bean soup is easy to prepare and perfect for chilly weather.

    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.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a quick and easy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, it features crispy gnocchi paired with garlic mushrooms and broccoli, all cooked on one pan in just 30 minutes.

    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

    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

    Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili

    Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin Chili
    Photo Credit: This Healthy Ttable.

    This chili is a hearty dish perfect for cold evenings. It's easy to prepare and will keep you cozy when the weather gets chilly.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Noodles

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    This is a great one-pot meal featuring tender chicken cooked in a delicious rosemary ranch sauce with fresh pasta. It's perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is super easy to make since everything is combined and baked in one dish. It's a great option for busy days when you want a warm meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This comforting casserole is a Southern favorite that brings warmth on chilly days. With gooey cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors, it’s a simple dish that requires very little effort.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder

    Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder.
    Photo Credit: An Edible Mosaic.

    This creamy chicken corn chowder is perfect for chilly days, packed with tender chicken, potatoes, and veggies. It's a simple and comforting meal that warms you up without much work.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup

    Slow Cooked Chicken and Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: Savory with Soul.

    This chicken and corn soup is thick and creamy, perfect for warming up on a chilly day. It's packed with flavor and feels like a cozy meal in a bowl.

    Get the Recipe

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili

    Copycat Wendy’s Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe lets you enjoy the flavors of Wendy’s chili right at home. With all the beans, veggies, and spices included, it’s a great way to warm up on a chilly day.

    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

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    Photo Credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    This chicken tortilla soup is packed with black beans, corn, and shredded chicken. It's a great option for lunch or dinner, especially on chilly days.

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    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to make in one pot and ready in just 30 minutes, which makes cleaning up easy. They are great for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Beef Stew

    Thai Beef Stew.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    This Thai Beef Stew is perfect for chilly days, whether you use a slow cooker or the stove. Just toss everything into a pot and let it simmer for a few hours.

    Get the Recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

    Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker chicken fajitas are a simple way to enjoy a big batch of this Tex Mex favorite. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, dinner will be ready in no time!

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    This no-boil chicken pasta bake is a simple way to get dinner ready with minimal effort. It’s a hearty meal that will keep you satisfied on chilly nights.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy

    Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy.
    Photo credit: Babaganosh.

    Throwing a few ingredients into the slow cooker and letting it do the work is a great way to enjoy a warm meal. This cozy dish is perfect for busy days when you want something comforting.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker American Goulash

    Slow Cooker Goulash.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Slow Cooker American Goulash is a hearty dish packed with beef and vegetables. This simple recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner on a chilly night.

    Get the Recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Cheap Casseroles That Are Perfect for Feeding a Crowd
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      21 Grandma Approved Ground Beef Recipes That Will Make You Feel Right at Home
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      22 Quick and Delicious Pasta Recipes for Lazy Summer Nights
    • Jackfruit sandwiches.
      17 Easy Vegetarian Crockpot Meals That Are Full of Flavor

    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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