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If you’re unfamiliar with dump dinners, it’s about time to change that. They’re as simple to make as they sound: You just dump a handful of ingredients into a vessel and let it cook, mostly unattended, with a bare minimum of effort. Maybe there’s a tiny bit of chopping or sautéing, but it’s primarily a hands-off situation. Dump dinners are perfect for when you’re extra busy, feeling extra lazy, or both.
While dump dinners originated with the slow cooker, there are also Instant Pot and even oven or stovetop versions. Here’s every single one of our favorites.
Easy Dinner Recipes
Slow Cooker Shredded Balsamic Beef
Don’t wait a minute longer before making one of our easiest-ever drop dinners. You’ll thank me when the sweet and savory smell of this tangy balsamic beef wafts from the kitchen and greets you at the front door, providing the best kind of reminder — that dinner for the whole family is cooked and ready for eating.
Give black bean soup time to simmer low and slow, deepening and building flavor with every minute, and you’ve got a delicious meal on your hands. That’s why the slow cooker is always my top choice for making this warm, smoky classic. Drop everything in the cooker in the morning and by the end of the day you’ve got a full-flavored broth loaded with soft, tender beans and all the spiced undertones you expect from black bean soup.
Slow Cooker Sausages with Peppers and Onions
This recipe takes about just 10 minutes of prep in the morning. Slice up peppers and an onion, then mix in some whole-grain mustard and your favorite beer (don’t go too bitter though, so pass on the IPA). Nestle sausages on top — or go with bratwurst for more traditional flair, but Italian is also great — then walk away.
One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
If you’re looking for a comforting one-pot meal that will please the whole family, look no further than this creamy chicken and rice stovetop casserole. Tender chicken, onions, and sweet peas cook together with long-grain rice in a creamy cheddar and thyme-scented sauce for a fast and hearty weeknight dinner.