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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    Too Busy to Cook? These Dump-and-Go Dinners Are the Answer

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 30, 2025 · Published November 30, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 23 dump-and-go dinners are perfect for busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just toss the ingredients into a pot or slow cooker, and let them do the work for you. Enjoy simple, satisfying meals with minimal effort!

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

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

    These easy Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are perfect for a busy day. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. This dish is both satisfying and simple, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This Italian dish is packed with flavor and goes great with pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together, and you'll have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

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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 perfect for a busy day when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Cooked slowly in the crockpot, the steak becomes tender and flavorful. The sweet and savory sauce adds a delightful touch that everyone will enjoy.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is a quick and flavorful dish that's perfect for busy evenings. With a simple marinade, the steak becomes tender and packed with flavor. You can have it ready in less than 10 minutes, making it an easy option for dinner.

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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 with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is just as delicious as what you'd find at a nice restaurant. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work. Enjoy a comforting meal that brings together great flavors in no time.

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    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This simple salmon dish is perfect for a quick meal, whether you grab some teriyaki sauce from the store or whip up your own. It's a great option when you're short on time but still want something delicious. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner that everyone will love.

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    Firecracker Salmon

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

    This Firecracker Salmon is a quick and easy dinner option that you can whip up in just 15 minutes. It features a delicious blend of spicy and tangy flavors that will impress anyone at your table. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish offers a simple way to enjoy a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot French Onion Soup

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
    Photo credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a great way to make dinner easier. It combines the rich flavors of French baguette and gooey gruyere cheese in a simple dish. Perfect for when you want something warm and comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This easy Corn Chowder is perfect for a quick meal, whether you use fresh or frozen corn. The creamy texture is topped with crispy bacon, green onions, and cheddar cheese, adding a nice touch of flavor. It's a comforting dish that comes together without much work, making it great for busy nights.

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    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This dish features a tasty herb crust paired with tender meat, all while keeping things simple in the kitchen. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours cooking. Just throw everything together and let it do its thing, making dinner a breeze.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This prosciutto-wrapped chicken sheet pan recipe is a great way to make dinner simple and delicious. It's quick to prepare and offers a meal that feels like it's from a nice restaurant. You can enjoy a satisfying dish without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

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

    A quick and easy bolognese sauce can be made in your Instant Pot. This dish brings all the traditional flavors together without taking up too much of your time.

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    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This gnocchi bake is a simple yet delicious take on comfort food, all prepared on just one sheet pan. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a hearty meal that feels a bit special.

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    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado

    Slow Cooker Chile Colorado.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This Slow Cooker Chile Colorado is an easy way to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort. Tender beef simmers in a rich red chile sauce, creating a satisfying dish that pairs perfectly with tortillas. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

    Baked salmon with crispy topping.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This easy sheet pan meal takes the stress out of dinner time. It's crispy and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for when everyone is hungry. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

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

    This easy sheet pan meal combines tender lamb chops with tasty vegetables, making dinner a breeze. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just toss everything on a pan and let the oven do the work for you.

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    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 only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in just 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for those nights when you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen.

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    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon

    Sweet & Spicy Glazed Salmon.
    Photo credit: Cassidy's Craveable Creations.

    This easy glazed salmon recipe helps you streamline your cooking without sacrificing flavor. It combines sweet and spicy elements for a delicious meal that comes together quickly. With just one pan needed, you won't have to fuss over flipping the fish, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup is a great option for a quick meal. Packed with vegetables, tender gnocchi, and a creamy broth, it comes together in just 30 minutes. Using simple ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    This Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole is a straightforward dish that fits perfectly into a busy schedule. With ingredients like broccoli, bacon, and cheese, it offers a quick and satisfying meal. It's a great choice when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

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

    A tasty meal of steak bites, potatoes, and corn comes together easily in a slow cooker with a rich garlic butter sauce. This dish brings the flavors of a restaurant right to your home without the stress of cooking. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Crockpot Cornish Game Hens

    Cornish Game Hens Crockpot Recipe
    Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Slow Cooker Cornish Hens are a great way to make dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything into the Crockpot and let it do the work for you. In no time, you'll have a delicious meal ready, complete with veggies.

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    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    Oven-baked fish with fresh lemon and herbs is a flavorful option that's great for a weeknight dinner. It's simple to prepare and doesn't require much effort, making it ideal for busy evenings. This dish brings a light and refreshing taste to the table, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Lasagna.
      20 Dump-and-Go Pasta Dishes for When You Don’t Want to Cook
    • A spoonful of company casserole being lifted out of a pan full.
      30 Layer-and-Bake Dinners That Practically Cook Themselves
    • CREAMY BAKED ZITI.
      Dump, Bake, and Enjoy: 40 Gourmet Dinners Made Simple
    • Brie mac and cheese.
      Brie Mac and Cheese

    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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