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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    27 Quick and Easy Dinners You Can Just Set and Forget

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 17, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 27 dinners are perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set everything up in your slow cooker or oven, and let it do the work while you relax or take care of other things. From hearty stews to flavorful casseroles, these meals are simple to prepare and will satisfy everyone at the table.

    Lentil Tortilla Soup

    A lentil tortilla soup.
    Photo credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup is an easy and tasty meal that you can whip up in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove. This soup is perfect for a quick dinner that the whole family will love. With its hearty lentils and flavorful spices, it's a comforting dish that doesn't require much effort.

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    Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup

    A bowl of carrot soup.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This soup is packed with flavor and comes together in no time, making it a great choice for dinner. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a hearty meal that fits perfectly into your busy schedule.

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    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen.

    Slow cooker sour cream and onion chicken is an easy dish that packs a lot of flavor without needing much work. It's perfect for anyone who loves the familiar taste of sour cream and onion chips. Just set it up in the slow cooker, and let it do its thing while you go about your day.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This chicken and potatoes dish combines juicy bone-in thighs and drumsticks with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and button mushrooms, all cooked together on one sheet pan. It's an easy meal that only requires 15 minutes of prep time before going into the oven, which means less cleanup for you. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe lets you enjoy a hearty dinner with minimal effort.

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    Instant Pot Pulled Pork Burgers

    Instant Pot Pulled Pork Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A pressure cooker transforms pork shoulder into a tender dish in just over an hour with minimal prep. This is a filling dinner that everyone will enjoy while you focus on other tasks for 45 minutes.

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    Chicken Posole Stew

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

    Chicken Posole Stew is a hearty and comforting meal that's easy to make. The star of this dish is hominy, which is corn that's been dried, soaked, and had its outer shell taken off. This stew is perfect for busy nights when you want something filling without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Steak Fajitas

    Crockpot Steak Fajitas Recipe
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Fajitas are perfect for a quick and filling dinner any night of the week. Tender steak simmers with peppers and onions in a flavorful fajita sauce, making it easy to prepare. Just set it up in the slow cooker, and by mealtime, everything is ready to be wrapped in a warm tortilla.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a simple dish that turns out tender and juicy in just 8-10 minutes. The marinade does all the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy a tasty steak without spending much time in the kitchen.

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    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a simple dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes. The spicy and tangy sauce gives this salmon a kick that everyone will enjoy. It's a great choice for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is really easy to make. With just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can have a tasty one-pan meal filled with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese. It's perfect for a cozy dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

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

    This sheet pan meal offers a straightforward way to enjoy lamb without worrying about overcooking. The lamb chops soak up the tasty juices from the vegetables, leading to tender and flavorful meat. It's a great option for a satisfying dinner with minimal effort.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, creating a filling meal that often leaves you with leftovers. It's ideal for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time cooking.

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    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish combines tender chicken with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, all simmered in a flavorful Italian sauce. It's an easy meal that fits perfectly into a busy weeknight schedule. Just set everything up and let it cook while you take care of other things.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love. With just one pan, you can get everything ready with little effort and no need to keep stirring. It's a great option for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is incredibly tender and easy to prepare. This dish is great for weeknights, whether you serve it on a plate or in a bun. You can have a delicious dinner ready with minimal effort in just 3 hours.

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    Easy Wonton Soup

    Wonton soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Wonton Soup is easy to make, using frozen wontons and mostly pre-chopped vegetables. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a warm meal without putting in a lot of work. This dish comes together quickly, allowing you to enjoy a comforting bowl of soup with minimal fuss.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is simple to put together and can be on the table in less than an hour. With a kick from buffalo sauce, some sneaky spinach, and lots of cheese, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

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    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is a quick dish that can be on the table in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. With a tasty blend of Greek yogurt and pesto on top, this baked salmon is easy to make and full of flavor.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Soup

    A bowl of chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Instant Pot Chicken Soup is a flavorful dish that comes together in just over an hour, making it ideal for a cozy dinner. With its creamy texture and a touch of spice, it's the kind of comfort food that hits the spot after a long day. This soup is simple to prepare and will warm you up nicely.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Air Fryer Roast Beef is a straightforward dinner option that everyone in the family will love. It features a tasty herby crust and a juicy, tender inside. You can prepare it with just a handful of simple ingredients, and it takes around 50 minutes to cook.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites

    Crockpot Steak Bites
    Photo Credit: Easy Family Recipes.

    Crockpot Steak Bites offer a straightforward and budget-friendly way to enjoy delicious beef. This slow cooker dish is easy to prepare and results in tender, juicy pieces of meat coated in a tasty sauce that's perfect for dipping. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: The Food Blog.

    Slow cooker cream cheese chicken chili is a simple dish packed with protein, vegetables, and delicious Tex-Mex flavors. The addition of cream cheese creates a rich and creamy broth, making it a cozy meal that's perfect for any night.

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    Chicken & Dumplings

    Chicken and dumplings.
    Photo credit: Belle of the Kitchen.

    This dish is a straightforward version of a classic comfort food that simmers all day in the slow cooker. It's perfect for busy days when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Just set it up and let it do its thing, and you'll have a satisfying meal waiting for you.

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    This recipe offers a simple way to enjoy enchiladas without the need to roll them up. You can use either ground beef or ground turkey, making it flexible for your preferences. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is really easy to make and only needs three ingredients. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a quick and tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice

    Slow Cooker Chicken & Broccoli Over Rice.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen,

    Slow cooker chicken and broccoli over rice is an easy meal that requires very little work. It features tender chicken cooked in a creamy cheese sauce, along with a good amount of broccoli. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is simple to put together and goes right into the oven. It features tender vegetables cooked in a tasty garlic sauce, making it a great option for a satisfying meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish allows you to enjoy a hearty dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Cranberry chicken.
      18 Dump-and-Go Chicken Dinners That Will Save You Time
    • Zucchini casserole.
      19 Set-It-and-Forget-It Dishes Your Guests Won’t Believe Were This Easy
    • Chicken tikka masala.
      28 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners for Exhausted Cooks
    • Baked lamb chops with veggies.
      21 Dump-and-Go Dinners That Make Weeknights Feel Easy

    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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