20 Dump-and-Go Meals That Make Dinner a Breeze

Dump-and-cook dinners are a total lifesaver for those nights when you are just too tired to think about making a meal. All you have to do is toss the ingredients into your pot or slow cooker, let the appliance do all the work, and then wait for your dinner to be ready. These easy meals are perfect for a busy weeknight, and they still taste amazing even though they need very little preparation from you.

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Dump And Start Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti

A bowl of creamy spaghetti with chunks of chicken and garnished with fresh parsley, served in a patterned white bowl on a textured grey surface. — Dump And Start Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

This Dump And Start Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti makes pasta night very quick and results in a creamy and satisfying dish. The noodles and the chicken cook all together at the same time without you needing to do any extra steps or use another pot for boiling.
Get the Recipe: Dump And Start Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Guajillo Beef Tacos

Two corn tortillas topped with shredded beef, chopped onions, and cilantro are served on a decorative oval plate with a brown and black pattern. — Slow Cooker Guajillo Beef Tacos. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

The beef for these Slow Cooker Guajillo Beef Tacos comes out so tender and full of flavor that you will probably want to make them every single week. You just need to shred the cooked beef and then load it up into your tortillas for a really fun and easy taco night at home.
Get Recipe: Slow Cooker Guajillo Beef Tacos

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sliders

BBQ Beef Sliders sitting on a white plate next to french fries and green lettuce. — Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sliders. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

These Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sliders are super easy to make and come out full of great flavor. You just toss a few ingredients into the slow cooker and come back later to find juicy, shredded beef that is perfect for piling onto mini sandwich buns.
Get Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Sliders

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

A bowl of colorful chicken curry with bell peppers, carrots, cashews, and fresh cilantro served alongside white rice. A piece of naan bread is partially visible on the side, resting on a small plate. The background includes a patterned blue cloth and wooden surface. — Slow Cooker Chicken Curry. Photo credit: A Cedar Spoon.

Full of bold spices and a creamy sauce, this Slow Cooker Chicken Curry is a very simple meal to prepare. You can just layer all of the ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning and then dinner will practically make itself while you are busy with your day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili

A bowl of chili topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions, resting on a patterned cloth. A wooden spoon and scattered green onions are in the background. — Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili brings just the right amount of smoky and spicy heat to your bowl with hardly any effort required from you. You just toss everything into the crockpot and then you can enjoy a hearty and warm bowl of chili by dinnertime.
Get Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili

Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

A pulled pork sandwich with barbecue sauce sits on a red and white checkered paper, accompanied by a side of golden French fries. A garnish of parsley is placed next to the fries. — Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken. Photo credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

This Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken has a sweet and unique twist that both kids and adults will really love. You just dump all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and come back later to find tender chicken covered in a sticky and delicious glaze.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

Tandoori Vegetables Platter

A white plate filled with a vibrant dish consisting of browned cauliflower florets, red bell pepper chunks, and a sprinkling of fresh green herbs. The roasted vegetables, showcasing one of the best sheet pan dinner recipes, boast a rich and appetizing coating of seasoning. — Tandoori Vegetables Platter. Photo credit: The Fruity Jem.

This Tandoori Vegetables Platter brings a lot of bold and exciting spices to your dinner table with hardly any work involved. You just toss your favorite vegetables in a yogurt marinade and then roast them all together until they are perfectly browned and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Vegetables Platter

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

A white bowl filled with shredded chicken, garnished with finely chopped parsley and freshly ground black pepper. The strands of chicken are tender and moist, creating a hearty and appetizing presentation. Two forks rest beside the bowl on a wooden surface. — Instant Pot Shredded Chicken. Photo credit: Evolving Table.

This Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is a great basic recipe to have for all kinds of different meals during the week. You just dump the ingredients into the pressure cooker and it turns into juicy meat that is ready for tacos, salads, or sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil

A close-up of a bowl of green olive and white bean soup, garnished with chopped herbs. A slice of crusty bread is placed on the side of the bowl. Nearby, there are additional bowls of soup and a small bowl of green olives. The background features a marble surface. — Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil. Photo credit: The Fruity Jem.

This Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil is a light and savory option that has a nice Mediterranean twist to its flavor. It simmers into a flavorful broth with herbs and tomatoes and is best when topped off with a fresh drizzle of olive oil right before you eat it.
Get the Recipe: Green Olive Soup with Olive Oil

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

A close-up of a baked meatball casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh basil leaves. A serving spoon is placed on the edge of the dish, ready to scoop the pasta. The dish sits on a white surface. — Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is cheesy, saucy, and a great choice for a busy weeknight when you need dinner fast. You just layer the meatballs, pasta, and cheese in a dish and then bake it all together until it is hot and bubbly.
Get the Recipe: Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

Cabbage Vegetable Soup

A table is set with bowls of vegetable soup, garnished with parsley. The soup contains ingredients like potatoes, carrots, green beans, and cabbage. Lemon wedges in a small bowl and fresh parsley sprigs are also on the white marble tabletop. — Cabbage Vegetable Soup. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This Cabbage Vegetable Soup is a cozy and warm way to use up any extra vegetables you already have in your kitchen. The cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes all cook together into a tasty broth that is both warm and very comforting on a cool evening.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Vegetable Soup

The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

Two bowls of chili topped with avocado slices, sour cream, jalapeño slices, and lime wedges. The bowls are placed on a plaid cloth with a spoon beside them. Tortilla chips, a lime, bell peppers, rice grains, and a partially visible pot are scattered around the bowls. — The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili. Photo credit: Happy Kitchen.

This recipe for The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili shows that you do not need any meat to make a filling and satisfying meal. With beans and lots of veggies simmering all day, the flavors come out rich and very tasty for a great dinner.
Get the Recipe: The Best Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

Dump and Start Instant Pot Irish Chicken Stew

A white bowl filled with a hearty chicken stew, featuring chunks of chicken, halved baby potatoes, chopped carrots, and pieces of cabbage in a clear broth. A spoon rests in the bowl, ready for eating. The bowl is placed on a light gray surface. — Dump and Start Instant Pot Irish Chicken Stew. Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

This Dump and Start Instant Pot Irish Chicken Stew gives you a warm and filling dinner very fast with minimal effort. The chicken, carrots, and potatoes all cook together under pressure to create a very tasty and comforting broth that is perfect for a simple meal.
Get the Recipe: Dump and Start Instant Pot Irish Chicken Stew

Instant Pot Jambalaya

A bowl of rice dish with sausages, herbs, and chopped vegetables, garnished with parsley, and a spoon resting in the bowl. The dish appears appetizing with a mix of colors and textures. Fresh parsley leaves are scattered nearby. — Instant Pot Jambalaya. Photo credit: Evolving Table.

This Instant Pot Jambalaya gives you all the spicy and exciting flavor of a New Orleans meal in just one single pot. The chicken, sausage, and rice all cook together very fast, and the best part is that there are no extra pots or pans to clean up afterward.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Jambalaya

Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet

This Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet is a quick one-pan meal that has tons of great flavor for a simple dinner. The sausage and beans simmer together in a garlicky tomato sauce that creates a very cozy and satisfying bite in every single spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Italian Cannellini Bean and Sausage Skillet

Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

A rectangular white plate holds two pork chops covered in a creamy, herb-speckled sauce. Next to the plate, a small wooden dish containing salt and green herbs, alongside a tiny wooden spoon, is placed on a marble surface. A striped cloth is nearby. — Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops. Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

These Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops are packed with a creamy and herby goodness that makes them a family favorite. You just need to layer everything into your slow cooker and then let the appliance do all the rest of the work for you until dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops

Easy Slow Cooker Cube Steak With Gravy

A plate with a serving of creamy smothered pork chops garnished with chopped chives. The pork chops are topped with a rich gravy and served over a bed of white rice. The sauce looks thick and flavorful, with visible bits of mushrooms. — Easy Slow Cooker Cube Steak With Gravy. Photo credit: Dizzy Busy & Hungry.

This Easy Slow Cooker Cube Steak With Gravy turns a simple and affordable cut of meat into a very comforting and hearty dish. The creamy mushroom gravy cooks right along with the steak, so everything is ready to serve together as soon as you are ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Cube Steak With Gravy

French Onion Pot Roast

A plate of creamy mashed potatoes topped with tender shredded beef and caramelized onions, garnished with fresh parsley. The dish is surrounded by a sprinkled parsley garnish and a side of bread, all placed on a grey surface. — French Onion Pot Roast. Photo credit: Slow Cooker Meals.

This French Onion Pot Roast is loaded with a deep and savory flavor and the beef becomes super soft as it cooks. You just toss everything into your slow cooker and then come back later to a dinner that tastes like it took you many hours to make.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Pot Roast

Bison Stew with Red Wine & Mushrooms

A bowl filled with bison stew garnished with fresh thyme, accompanied by a bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with chopped chives. At the bottom left, there are ornate knife and fork on a white napkin. The setting includes white flowers and a light background. — Bison Stew with Red Wine & Mushrooms. Photo credit: In The Kitch.

This Bison Stew with Red Wine & Mushrooms feels a little fancy but is actually super easy to put together for a weeknight. The rich sauce and the tender meat cook low and slow without you needing to do any extra work at all while it is cooking.
Get the Recipe: Bison Stew with Red Wine & Mushrooms

Lebanese Moussaka Stew (Maghmour)

A top view of a simmering pot of ratatouille on a wooden surface. The stew includes visible chunks of zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and chickpeas in a rich red sauce. The pot is placed on a dark blue cloth. — Lebanese Moussaka Stew (Maghmour). Photo credit: Masala Herb.

This Lebanese Moussaka Stew is a plant-based dish that is completely full of amazing and warm flavors from the spices. The eggplant and chickpeas simmer together for a long time to create a delicious and spiced tomato stew that is perfect for a meatless dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Lebanese Moussaka Stew (Maghmour)