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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Protein-Packed Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 27, 2025, updated August 20, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding quick and healthy dinner options can be a challenge, especially when you're short on time. These 19 protein-packed meals are perfect for busy nights; just dump the ingredients into a pot or pan, cook, and enjoy. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, these dishes will keep you satisfied and energized.

    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon filets are filled with garlic butter and wrapped in bacon, creating a delicious meal that the whole family will love. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a cozy dinner at home. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This cheesy chicken and pasta dish is loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, making it a filling and easy meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together, let it cook, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow cooker.

    Steak bites, potatoes, and corn come together in a slow cooker with a delicious garlic butter sauce. This is a simple and satisfying dinner that requires minimal effort. Just toss everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This cheeseburger tater tot casserole brings together crispy potatoes and the classic flavors of a Big Mac into one tasty dish. It's a fun and easy meal that kids will love, making it perfect for family dinners. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Red Pesto Salmon

    Red Pesto Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    Baked Pesto Salmon is a great option for a quick and healthy dinner. The salmon fillets are topped with flavorful pesto and paired with crispy potatoes, asparagus, and broccoli. This dish is easy to prepare and offers a satisfying meal without much effort.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    This salmon dish is quick and easy, using just three simple ingredients. It's a great choice for a satisfying meal without a lot of work. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe lets you enjoy a tasty dinner with minimal effort.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a simple and fast way to whip up a tasty pasta sauce. It features all the familiar flavors you enjoy, made with everyday ingredients that you likely have on hand. Perfect for a satisfying meal, this dish comes together with minimal effort.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    These Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are a simple and satisfying meal. Just throw together beef, mushrooms, onion, garlic, butter, and beef broth in the slow cooker. Let it cook, and you'll have a delicious dinner ready with minimal effort.

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    Easy Pot Roast

    Easy Pot Roast
    Photo Credit: The Art of Food and Wine.

    This pot roast is incredibly tender and features beef, potatoes, carrots, and herbs. It's a comforting meal that comes together in one pot, making it simple to prepare and cook in the oven. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish is satisfying and requires minimal effort.

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    Instant Pot Shrimp Boil

    A plate of shrimp boil.
    Photo credit: Corrie Cooks.

    This dish is a filling meal that brings together seafood, meat, and vegetables, all cooked together easily in the instant pot. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something nutritious without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just dump everything in, let it cook, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is loaded with chicken and broccoli, creating a filling meal that’s perfect for busy nights. It’s simple to prepare and will leave you with plenty of leftovers to enjoy later. With just a few ingredients, you can have a satisfying dinner on the table in no time.

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    Sausage Tray Bake

    Sausage tray bake.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Tranquility.

    This sausage tray bake is full of flavor and only requires one tray to prepare. It's filled with plenty of vegetables, potatoes, and gravy, making it a hearty meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to put together and enjoy.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This dinner is all about juicy roasted chicken thighs and drumsticks, paired with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and mushrooms, all cooked together on one sheet pan for easy cleanup. With just 15 minutes of prep time, you can pop it in the oven and let it do its thing. It's a straightforward meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

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    Crock Pot Honey Bourbon Steak Tips

    Honey Bourbon Steak Tips (Crock-Pot)
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    These Honey Bourbon Steak Tips are a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in the crockpot. They cook slowly until they're tender and juicy, all while soaking up a delicious sweet and savory sauce. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without putting in a lot of work.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This simple sheet pan dinner is delicious and easy to prepare. Just add some garlic and herbs for flavor, toss everything on a pan, and bake it in the oven. In less than 30 minutes, you'll have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is simple to make and full of flavor. With canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and a few everyday ingredients, it comes together quickly. It's a creamy dish that everyone will enjoy, perfect for a satisfying meal.

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    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    These pizza baked beans are a simple and comforting dinner option. Just mix canned beans with pizza sauce, throw in your favorite toppings, and bake it all together. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a hearty meal that’s perfect for any night.

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    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup

    Crock Pot Cube Steak with Mushroom Soup
    Photo Credit: Add Salt and Serve.

    Cube steak is a simple and flavorful dish that requires very little preparation. With just a few ingredients like cube steak, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and some seasonings, you can whip up a satisfying homemade meal. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is easy to put together and can be on the table in less than an hour. With a mix of buffalo sauce, spinach, and plenty of cheese, this dish is both flavorful and straightforward. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 One-Dish Crockpot Meals That Simplify Mealtime

    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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