The 31 Easiest-Ever Dump Dinner Ideas

We'll be the first to admit that there are times when making a homecooked meal just doesn't feel doable. You know those nights; the ones where even placing an order for takeout feels like an insurmountable task. So, what do we do when you need an incredibly easy dinner option? We rely on dump dinners.

If you're unfamiliar, dump dinners are exactly what they sound like: meals where you simply dump all the ingredients into a casserole dish, slow cooker, sheet pan or pot — and dinner is just about done. They get a complete meal on the table for very little effort — and free you up to tackle other tasks on your to-do list. (Win, win!)

We've got plenty of ideas for everyone in this roundup, from hearty baked pastas to seafood dinners and vegetarian options, but one of our favorites is this comforting Tex-Mex casserole. It's uses lots of kitchen staples (like frozen veggies, dried spices, canned tomatoes) and comes together fast thanks to the use of pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken.

Long simmering makes this tough cut turn tender and yielding. Keep a batch of this hearty chili in in the freezer for easy weeknight meals or game day entertaining.

Just dump a box of pasta, bag of shrimp and a few other pantry staples into a dish and bake. Right before serving, stir in the heavy cream and top with grated cheese and fresh parsley for a rich and creamy weeknight dinner in a flash.

Chicken thighs are the ideal slow-cooker meat because they emerge tender and juicy, even after hours of cooking. The sauce is a guaranteed kid-pleaser: rich, sweet and low on spice and tang. Make a couple of batches to keep in the freezer for busy weeks when you know you'll have limited time for meal prep.

This creamy tuna-noodle dump dinner is made entirely in one baking dish, egg noodles included. It tastes just like the casserole you grew up eating but requires less equipment (and cleanup). Instead of using the classic cream of mushroom soup, we opted for a combination of cheese, broth, heavy cream and sour cream, which provides the same velvety texture.

Sheet pan dinners, like these rosemary-garlic pork chops, are perfect for a no-hassle dinner that can be ready in no time. Simply season pork chops, toss them with chickpeas, garlic and roasted red peppers, and put the whole thing in the oven. You’ll have a full meal in less than 20 minutes!

Skip cooking a big pot of rice and throw the ingredients into a casserole dish instead for an easy dump-dinner meal. The basmati rice and chickpeas absorb all the delicious flavors of ginger, garlic, curry powder and coconut milk. Finish with a quick drizzle of yogurt along with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges for a simple and complete meal.

Quartering the cauliflower, rather than cutting it into florets, allows this vegetarian meal to simmer all day in the slow cooker without it becoming mush. Stow a few bags of this pre-assembled meal in the freezer to keep on hand for busy nights.

This takeout favorite can be made in the comfort of your own home, in less time than it takes for delivery. Dump your ingredients into the Instant Pot® and let it do the rest! You'll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes!

Skip boiling a big pot of water. This hearty pasta dinner calls for uncooked rigatoni and ricotta and Italian sausage to be layered right in the casserole, so you'll have nothing to wash while it bakes.

We love multi-purpose kitchen gadgets that make life easier, so that's why the Instant Pot (a slow cooker, pressure cooker and stove-top stand-in, all in one) is a go-to for quick meals. Especially this creamy kid-friendly mac and cheese, which cooks up in no time. And after it's been gobbled up, you'll only have one pot to clean!

Baking rice on a sheet pan guarantees more of the crispy, crunchy bits that make fried rice the perfect food. For this recipe, the older and drier the rice the better. If you must start with freshly cooked grains, spread them out on a sheet pan to dry out in the refrigerator first.

Casseroles are a great way to get tons of flavors into one dish. Giada’s tomato vegetable casserole is a great example: Each vegetable is spread throughout the pan in a way that allows you to taste each ingredient individually. The best part, however, is that once you’re done, you only have one pan to wash!

This shortcut gumbo eliminates the (sometimes tricky) step of cooking a roux to thicken the liquid. Instead, a small amount of rice cooked low and slow gives the stew just the right amount of body. With a bag of prepped ingredients in your freezer ready to go, you can serve this crowd-favorite even on a weeknight.

Low maintenance and packed with flavor, this creamy casserole transforms dorm-friendly ramen noodles into a satisfying casserole for a crowd.

Giada gives baked salmon a classic Italian touch. Once these filets are topped with a tomato mixture, just wrap them in foil and bake. In about 25 minutes, you’ll have a delicious salmon dinner, ready to serve.

Who doesn’t love a big bowl of pasta with red sauce? It’s even better as a full meal with tender chicken and briny olives. Simply dump all the ingredients into the Instant Pot® and this Italian classic will be on the table in little over a half hour!

Standard pulled pork gets a makeover with the addition of oregano, cumin, jalapeno, and an orange. Just crisp up the pork in a pan before you eat, and dinner is done. Bonus? You'll have plenty of leftovers to store.

This is the recipe that takes "throwing something together" to the next level. Ree Drummond’s sheet pan sausage dinner involves placing your seasoned veggies onto a baking sheet with some Italian sausages and putting the whole thing in the oven. Dinner? Done.

This dish tastes just like your favorite summer salad, only heartier. If you haven't tried a one-pot pasta yet, do: It's a great timesaving trick. Place all the ingredients in the pot together, add enough water and simmer. The noodles and sauce cook together, which means this dinner is ready in just 15 minutes. Stirring in the fresh mozzarella after the pasta is cooked creates an almost instant cream sauce, coating each noodle with a hint of cheese.

One of our favorite things about slow cookers (aside from the convenience) is that there is no limit to the cuisines you can make in it. We bet making this butter chicken is even easier than ordering takeout.

Toss everything you love about chicken teriyaki -- including the rice -- into a baking dish for a quick and delicious dinner without any extra pots or pans to wash.

Ropa vieja is a traditional pulled beef and vegetable stew, popular in Cuba and Puerto Rico. This slow-cooker version is perfect way to try it on a weeknight. All you need to do is combine the ingredients (tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar, garlic, cumin and jalapeno) with the steak, bell peppers and onions and in 8 hours, you’ll have a delicious and savory dinner that required almost no hassle whatsoever.

This chipotle stew has the makings for a perfect Mexican-inspired dish. Simply add chicken, sprinkled with cumin and salt, along with onion, tomatoes, chipotle and adobo sauce, and oregano in your slow cooker. Come home to tender chicken stew — all you have to do is add in frozen corn, stir and serve with some warm tortillas.

You don’t have to be a pro to pull off this hearty meal. Seasoned beef chuck is simmered in broth and Worcestershire sauce surrounded by a medley of baby vegetables, which makes for a simple dinner with complex flavor.

This dinner is truly a one-pot wonder — a Southern feast that tastes like it was slow cooked but takes just 40 minutes. Simply stack the ingredients in your Instant Pot® and let the machine take care of the rest.

Chicken chili is always a winner and making it in the slow cooker ensures a no-stress weekday meal that everyone will love. Not only is dinner ready with just one pot, cleanup is hassle-free as well!

This pot roast is so simple: simply "dump" the ingredients into the slow cooker and leave it alone for 8 hours. No stress, no hassle and no complicated cleanups. Just some good pot roast.

This stew utilizes turkey thighs to make a delicious and savory Moroccan-inspired feast. This recipe yields enough to make for guests or if you have leftovers, they are perfect to use to make Moroccan Burritos.

A flavorful pot of beans topped with chicken-apple sausages that require little to no effort? You can count us in on this simple slow-cooker recipe. The best part: You’ll have leftovers that you will actually want to eat.