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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    30 Simple Dump-and-Cook Dinners to Warm Your Heart and Body

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on February 6, 2025, updated January 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When life gets busy, simple and comforting meals can make all the difference. These 30 easy dump-and-cook dinners are perfect for those nights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort.

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

    Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over,

    This dish features tender chicken along with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini all simmered in a tasty Italian sauce. It's a simple recipe that's great for a busy weeknight dinner.

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    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for chilly days. It's creamy with coconut milk and sun-dried tomatoes, packed with pasta, cannellini beans, and fresh spinach, making it a hearty meal for busy weeknights.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Pulled pork cooked in cherry cola and BBQ sauce is packed with flavor and super tender. This is a great dish for cold weather, perfect for cozy meals.

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    The Best Vegetarian Chili

    Vegetarian chili and a wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This vegetarian chili is packed with bold flavors that will satisfy everyone. You can prepare it in a Crock Pot or on the stovetop, making it a flexible option for a cozy meal.

    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.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen

    Slow Cooker Taco Beef Ramen.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Taco Ramen is a simple and satisfying meal. Ground beef simmers with taco seasoning, tomatoes, and corn, while ramen noodles cook right in the pot, creating a hearty dish perfect for chilly days.

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    Slow Cooker Maple Balsamic Chicken

    Maple Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken.
    Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear.

    This recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts that require only 5 minutes of prep time. It's a simple option for a weeknight dinner when you want something easy and satisfying.

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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 veggies, making it super easy to prepare. It’s a quick meal that you can have ready in under an hour.

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    Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese

    A bowl of Crock Pot Chili Mac And Cheese.
    Photo Credit: Eat Your Beets.

    This hearty mix of chili and macaroni is perfect for warming up on chilly days. It's an easy dish that comes together with minimal effort.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are easy to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

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    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup

    Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Lazy Slow Cooker.

    Slow-cooker cauliflower soup is creamy, dairy-free, and delicious. This is a great comfort food for chilly days and can also be enjoyed when the weather is warm.

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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.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Apple Slaw.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is packed with delicious flavors like smoky, sweet, and a hint of spice. Serve it on a bun with crunchy apple slaw for a satisfying meal.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry

    Slow Cooker Chicken in a Hurry.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a simple and tasty crockpot meal that combines tender chicken with onion soup mix, apricot preserves, and Russian dressing for a sweet and tangy flavor. It's perfect for cold weather when you want something warm and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Chicken thighs are juicy and packed with flavor, making them a great choice for dinner. They come together quickly, needing just 10 minutes of prep time.

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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 is delicious.

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    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Thirty Something Supermom.

    This recipe is a simple way to prepare chicken thighs that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's perfect for cold weather when you want a warm and satisfying meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a tasty one-pot meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. The combination of garlic parmesan wing sauce, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, and milk creates a rich and flavorful dish.

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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

    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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    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 Bruschetta Chicken

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

    This dish features chicken cooked in a flavorful mix of tomatoes and garlic, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It's a comforting Italian meal that's perfect for chilly days.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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

    Chicken cacciatore is simple to prepare in a slow cooker. The rich sauce combines diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bell peppers, onion, and Italian spices.

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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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    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken.
    Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

    This chicken dish is quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes. It's a flavorful meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan gnocchi bake that requires no chopping. It's filled with frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, making it a cozy meal for the whole family.

    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

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy.
    Photo Credit: One Hot Oven.

    Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy are super tender and simmer in a creamy mushroom and onion sauce. This is a great meal for busy nights when you want something comforting that everyone will enjoy.

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    Ravioli Lasagna

    Ravioli lasagna.
    Photo credit: Mom Foodie.

    This easy Ravioli Lasagna recipe aka Lazy Lasagna is a delicious baked ravioli dish. With meat sauce layers and plenty of gooey Italian cheese, this is a real Italian comfort food without the fuss.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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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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