28 Dump-and-Go Dinners for the Nights You Can Barely Keep a Thought in Your Head

I enjoy preparing dinner and pondering for a moment while looking into the fridge and considering the options available to me.

Dump-and-go dinners are my compromise. You can toss a few things together in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or baking dish, and believe me, future you will be so happy to have a homemade meal.

I prepare these types of meals for days I expect will be busy and/or messy. These meals are also great for class nights, errand days, or days when my calendar is booked back to back.

Before we get to the instructions, ‘no prep’ means that there will be no onion cutting and no other manual labor type tasks, however you do need to be able to open a jar, measure some spices, do some rinsing, etc. You can also add spinach, a squeeze of lemon, or really anything you want because it’s your dinner.

I enjoy these recipes because they take a reasonable amount of time, are quite easy, and have a low chance of going wrong. Most of the time, if you are missing an ingredient, you can replace it with something else.

1) Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

I’ve started stashing extra salsa like I’m hiding some cash because I make this recipe so often. Dump thawed boneless chicken (use thighs for juicier result), a jar of salsa, and a sprinkle of cumin to the pot and cook until the chicken shreds easily at 165°F.

You will receive a chicken preparation that is tangy and saucy enough to make tacos, drizzle over some rice, top nachos, or enjoy for an especially good desk lunch.

Be cautious with the level of spiciness, as chipotle powder is a strong contender against mild salsa.

2) Mississippi Pot Roast

We are attempting to create wizardry for the first time. Combining a chuck roast with ranch seasoning, an au jus mix, butter, and pepperoncini is halfway to a meal. A meal that is rich, tangy and salty.

I have had it served on egg noodles, mashed potatoes, and once out of sheer laziness, on some toasted bread. If salt is an issue for you, you may use less of the seasoning packet and add additional pepperoncini for more flavor.

3) Pesto Chicken Thighs

Some may think making this dish is too complicated. It’s really not that bad. Just cover some chicken thighs in pesto (even store bought works) and toss in some cherry tomatoes before baking.

The chicken will bake while the cherry tomatoes will form a tangy sauce. Additionally, the oil from the pesto will emulsify with the sauce. Typically, I eat this with some rice. If you want to add some vegetables, you can also have a salad with this.

4) Honey Garlic Chicken

This is my favorite recipe. Anytime I want to make that delicious sauce, I always come back to this one.

Combine the chicken, soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and garlic (jar garlic is totally fine) and let it simmer. If it tastes too sweet for your liking, lower the amount of honey and use a little rice vinegar to help balance the sauce. Pretend to get it all together while you steam some frozen vegetables and work with rice.

5) Baked Gnocchi

It requires virtually no effort to achieve optimal comfort.

Layer shelf-stable (or refrigerated) gnocchi with jarred marinara and a lot of mozzarella cheese; then bake until the top is blistered and the edges are chewy.

It feels a bit like cheating (but in a good way) as the gnocchi will be cooked right in the sauce. I usually like to throw in a handful of baby spinach while it’s cooking, but that’s as optional as flossing.

6) Slow-Cooker Italian Meatballs

I store frozen meatballs for impromptu dinner ideas. Take fully frozen cooked meatballs, or thawed raw meatballs, and put them in the slow cooker with marinara (if you like it a little looser add a splash of water) and cook them until they are hot throughout. For the raw meatballs, they must reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

There are many ways you can serve these! A few options are tossing them in some bread and making a sub, going even further and grabbing a fork to eat them over the sink, or adding some gourmet basil (torn).

7) Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Is this real butter chicken? No. Is this combination soothing and super simple? Yes.

Just throw in the chicken, jarred tikka masala or butter chicken simmer sauce and some cream or coconut milk to make it richer, then pressure cook and stir.

In responding to emails, it can be easy to overlook it on ‘keep warm.’ You can combine it with rice or naan to be honest about having made dinner.

8) Slow-Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Chuck roast is better for long, slow-cooking methods, while thinly-sliced beef is better for short cooking, so you should add it near the end to avoid overcooking. Then, add the beef, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and some sesame oil.

Put the broccoli in last, or it will turn to mush.

For slight added effort, you can use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. To get a second serving from picky eaters, it feels like a standing ovation.

9) Lemon Pepper Chicken

This comforts me particularly when it’s colder outside.

Dump in chicken, baby potatoes, lemon slices. The rest is the oil/butter and lemon pepper seasoning to taste.

In just a few hours you will have tender chicken and potatoes that will make it look like you spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Add a bag of steamed broccoli and you are good to go!

10) Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers

I make this meal when I do not want to deal with a lot of wet ingredients. Some will consider slicing the sausage as part of the meal prep, but one could also buy pre-sliced peppers and onions. As for the sausage, it takes a moment to chop.

Toss everything with olive oil and Italian seasoning, roast until finished and let the edges char.

It is excellent in a hoagie roll, on rice, or even right out of the pan while you “clean.”

11) BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

You may also become distracted, and they will not mind. You may use your favorite barbecue sauce, and maybe smoked paprika, as well. Bake them until the sauce is glossy and the thickest part of the drumsticks (not touching the bone) is 165°F.

I have only served these with the dubious cucumbers I sometimes have in my fridge, and I still have not received any complaints. If you throw in some bagged coleslaw, you’re basically catering.

12) White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is comfortable but light enough to not create that unbearable “nap immediately” sensation. Simply mix the chicken, cannellini beans, corn, green chiles, broth, and spices, and allow the chicken to shred.

Some people may enjoy a thicker soup. If that is the case, mashing some beans against the side of the pot should do the trick. I personally think that adding tortilla chips gives it a nice crunch and enhances the soup a lot.

13) Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

The Instant Pot will be your best friend for red beans and rice because you don’t have to keep an eye on a pot all day. Just add your beans (soaked beans will give better texture, but not soaked will be okay if you use a good high pressure cook time), smoked sausage, broth, and seasoning.

Additionally, it is very smoky and rich, and it can be reheated very easily.

My meal provided satisfaction for three consecutive days.

14) Spinach Ravioli Lasagna

Ravioli lasagna is great for people who want the energy of lasagna without the work of actually making a lasagna. All you have to do is grab a baking dish and layer some frozen ravioli, a little marinara sauce, and some mozzarella cheese.

This dish will tell you when it’s ready, it will be covered and baked, and you’ll see the bubbling cheese. As for layers, don’t fret. I like to make a mess and it still turns out good! Parmesan can go on. You can just sprinkle it on and pretend you actually measured it out.

15) Chicken Tortilla Soup

You’ll think you’ve stopped at the taqueria with this soup! But in reality, it’s so simple! Just throw in your chicken, a can of tomatoes, black beans, corn, broth, and some taco seasoning and cook until your chicken is tender enough to shred!

Toppings enhance the experience of enjoying this soup. Just picture tortilla strips, a lime, and cheese. Those additions will make you excited to eat this soup, no matter how simple it is.

16) Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin is great because it is a lean cut of meat and is very easy to prepare. When you cook it, be sure to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and verify that it is at 145°F. Let the meat rest for at least three minutes after you take it off the heat. Removing the meat from the heat too late will cause it to become dry. To prepare the meat, add some teriyaki sauce and a little garlic and ginger (if you have some) and then cook it until tender.

For rice bowls, it slices really well and your colleagues will appreciate the neutral smelling leftovers. I like to pack frozen edamame for a well rounded meal.

17) Salmon on a Sheet Pan

For the occasion described as “dinner should feel like a self-care moment,” I plan to have salmon. First, I will roast the salmon with some Dijon and dried herbs (or fresh if available) and take it out when it reaches 145°F or when the flesh looks opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

This dish is so quick, you can make it when you start to get hangry. Pair it with some microwavable rice and a quick salad (which feels like a dinner) and you’ve got a great side.

18) Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

Pork shoulder is one of those forgiving cuts. This is nearly effortless and can make you look like a superstar. All you need to do is add the thawed pork shoulder along with some onions (frozen chopped onions will work), a spice rub, and a bit of broth or soda. Then, cook it until the pork is tender enough to shred.

Meat is easy to freeze and future you will thank you. The contrast with the pickles is wonderful. One of my favorite cookbooks likes to scold, fat needs acid.

19) Salsa Verde Enchilada Casserole

I rarely feel a desire to take on a specific task. Preparing enchiladas typically involves a lot of work.

It’s just a matter of layering some tortillas and some rotisserie chicken (or leftover shredded chicken), salsa verde, and cheese, and baking them to a molten and saucy state.

Salsa will contain some cream which will provide a nice creaminess to it. I know it looks unfair, but I will take it, the leftover salsa will be even more delicious.

20) Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

Comforting in a way, I feel momentarily connected to civilization.

Add rinsed rice, chicken thighs, broth and seasonings to the pressure cooker. Ensure you have the correct rice to broth ratio for fluffy rice and pressure cook as directed.

Some may find using a pressure cooker a little tricky, with the assumption that using long grain rice and stirring less will ease the process. I like the idea of adding frozen peas at the end to liven up the dish and make it look a little fancier.

21) Slow-Cooker Chicken Pho Soup

Although this is not an authentic Pho, you may need an option to tide you over during the week. Simply combine the chicken and broth with some ginger (fresh, jarred, or powdered) and a dash of fish sauce.

If you have them, you can include star anise and cinnamon (the warming variety).

Add the rice noodles last so they aren’t sad, overcooked noodles. Also, adding some lime juice and herbs will make it look like you really put in a lot of effort, even if you didn’t.

22) Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Pierogies

This is very comforting for the cold weather. It is like you’re having a meal in a nice warm cozy hoodie. Just combine the frozen pierogies, sliced kielbasa, a bit of oil, and onions in a bowl and roast them until they are golden brown.

It likely will not take as long as you think. The combination of creamy center and crispy edges is simply heavenly. For being virtuous, just have a green salad on the side and mustard or a little sour cream.

23) Coconut Curry Lentils

On chilly evenings when I prefer not to have meat, I always consider lentils to be a suitable option. All you need to do is prepare lentils, some coconut milk, a broth, and a can of tomatoes with some curry paste or powder.

This is very cost-efficient and it is loaded with spices so it is very tasty. You don’t even have to keep an eye on it. If you have some spinach, at the end add it, and watch it wilt as if it were sharing secrets.

24) Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

It seems to be almost too easy if you purchase pre-made chicken meatballs. Coat them in sauce, sprinkle on some cheese, and bake until golden and bubbly.

To feel like a responsible adult, you may add some roasted broccoli as well.

Certainly, you could eat it with some spaghetti or in a sub sandwich. I remember serving it to my friends and not telling them for a long time how little work I actually did.

25) Stuffed Pepper Soup

Stuffed peppers are good, but I don’t enjoy standing them up like little edible vases. This soup allows you to skip this process while getting the flavor profile of stuffed peppers with ground beef or turkey, bell peppers, tomatoes, broth, and rice. Just remember to cook ground beef to 160°F or ground turkey to 165°F.

It is even better the next day. You can also say your house is cold, and it will just make it seem like you have your life together.

26) Sheet Pan Fajita Shrimp

In the event that I’ve put off making a decision regarding dinner, I usually opt for shrimp. Additionally, it accommodates the addition of something spicy. Simply coat the peeled shrimp along with some sliced bell peppers and onions in fajita seasoning, and roast them until the shrimp turn opaque and pearl white.

I usually have the tendency to overcook the food, so I have to keep an eye on it like an anxious mother. The night becomes even more fun when you add sour cream or avocado.

27) Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Real carnitas take a long time to make, but using a pressure cooker can get you close to the real thing. If you would like to try, put a pork shoulder in the pressure cooker along with some orange juice, garlic, and your choice of seasoning. Pressure cook it until the meat is tender enough to shred and broil it to make it crispy for a few minutes.

The smell of citrus brings a cheerful aroma. I like to have this with tacos along with some onions and cilantro. It’s really good in breakfast hash too.

28) Tortellini and Sausage Bake

This is the type of dinner I make when I want to encourage people to stop talking and just start eating.

Combine refrigerated tortellini, cooked sausage crumbles. Store bought pre-cooked tortellini and marinara with a splash of cream, plus some mozzarella, should be baked until bubbling.

While the tortellini and sauce is chewy and pink, it is still quite enjoyable. To enhance your dish, buy a Caesar salad from the store.