13 Dump-And-Bake Ideas That Take The Stress Out Of Dinner

Dump-and-bake dinners make cooking as simple as it gets. Toss the ingredients into a baking dish, slow cooker or Instant Pot, set the timer, and let it do the work. No extra steps, no pile of dishes, just straightforward meals packed with flavor. These recipes take the stress out of dinner while still delivering on taste. Choose from hearty stews to cheesy casseroles — they’re proof that you don’t need to overcomplicate dinner to make it great.

Close-up of a cheesy Mexican ground beef casserole topped with black beans and diced tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. — Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa Chicken

A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce. — Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Salsa chicken is a quick, dump-and-bake dinner that turns chicken breasts, salsa, sweet corn, and cheddar cheese into a flavorful, family-friendly meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a go-to for stress-free weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

This short rib ragu is slow-cooked to perfection, making it rich and tender. Serve it over mashed sweet potatoes or toss with pasta for a comforting meal that’s simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Instant Pot coconut pulled pork served with turmeric rice in a bowl. — Instant Pot Coconut Pork. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

With turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom, this coconut pork is aromatic and tender. An easy dinner option that’s great over rice with dried fruit and almonds for added texture.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coconut Pork

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chicken cheddar quinoa casserole in a pyrex dish. — Cheddar Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cheddar chicken quinoa bake is perfect for dump-and-bake nights. Made with rotisserie chicken, it’s affordable, simple, and great for feeding a hungry crowd on busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans

Instant Pot white beans and tomatoes on sourdough toast garnished with fresh herbs and crumbled feta. — Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These hearty tomato and white beans cook quickly in the Instant Pot, delivering a comforting meal with minimal effort. Serve over toasted sourdough for a simple, satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet. — Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one-skillet gnocchi dish combines ground pork, crushed tomatoes, spinach, and melted mozzarella. It’s a stress-free dinner packed with flavor and easy cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice. — Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is a dump-and-cook favorite with a sticky, sweet sauce and pineapple chunks. A family-friendly dinner that beats takeout every time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Picadillo

Vegan tempeh picadillo served in a bowl with cauliflower rice. — Instant Pot Picadillo. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A hearty plant-based picadillo made with tempeh, lentils, potatoes, and bold flavors like Spanish olives, capers, and raisins. A simple meal packed with personality and perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Picadillo

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

This cheesy casserole combines ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and black beans with cauliflower rice for a low-carb twist. A 40-minute meal that’s easy, flavorful, and great for weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Bomb Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate cut into slices with fresh parsley garnish. — Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This meatloaf is tender, juicy, and topped with a thick, sweet, and tangy glaze. A classic comfort dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Instant Pot Bolognese

This Instant Pot version of bolognese delivers rich, hearty flavors in a fraction of the time. Serve over pasta with parmesan for a quick dinner that feels like a classic.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bolognese

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Balsamic pulled pork is tender and flavorful, served over cheesy polenta and topped with avocado crema. A comforting slow cooker dish that’s easy to make and satisfying to eat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Tri-Tip

Slow cooker shredded tri tip in a white bowl over mashed potatoes. — Slow Cooker Tri-Tip. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

With minimal prep, this tri-tip roast turns out tender and full of flavor thanks to fresh herbs and simple ingredients. A dump-and-cook recipe that feeds the whole family with ease.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tri-Tip

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.