17 Best Dump-and-Go Recipes for the Easiest Meal Ever
As Ree says, "throw everything in... then go live your life!"
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
As much as Ree Drummond loves to cook, she also knows that finding ways to save time in the kitchen is important when you have a busy life. That's why she's a huge fan of slow cooker recipes: "I can pretty much just sling a bunch of stuff into it and push the button." They're some of the best dump-and-go recipes around, where you just "throw everything in, turn it on, then go live your life!"
Of course, there are plenty of other dump dinners from The Pioneer Woman, many that include kitchen appliances like Instant Pot recipes and air fryer recipes. But you'll also find one-pot meals and sheet pan dinners that take very little prep on the stove or in the oven yet still yield a lot of flavor. There are even several 30-minute meals you can throw together on those weeknights where you're contemplating ordering takeout instead, including mac and cheese from scratch.
Another benefit of these easy dump-and-go ideas? You spend way less time on dishes! Little to no prep bowls are required, and you'll only need one or two cooking vessels max. And just in case you think you'll only find family dinners like casseroles on this list, think again. You'll find quick breakfast ideas and desserts included, too, which means you can prep every meal for the day with way less effort. Just dump and go!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
With just five minutes of prep, you can start a whole pot of soul-satisfying BBQ chicken. All you need are a few pantry ingredients and your trusty slow cooker switched on.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Sheet Pan Gnocchi
Making dinner couldn't be easier! Combine refrigerated or frozen gnocchi with a bunch of veggies on a sheet pan and pop it in the oven. Sprinkle the top with some mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe.
Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili
There's two easy hacks to making this chili. First, use shredded rotisserie chicken from the store. At the end, pop in a few ounces of cream cheese for a creamy finish.
Get Ree's Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili recipe.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
The key to making a creamy soup super easy to is dump everything into a slow cooker. When it's ready, whiz it with an immersion blender for a few minutes. Yes, it's that easy!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe.
Apple Dump Cake
Homemade cakes don't have to be hard to assemble at all. This one only takes four ingredients that get dumped in a baking dish for an easy crowd-pleasing dessert.
Get Ree's Apple Dump Cake recipe.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Did you love Hamburger Helper back in the day? Well, you can make an even tastier and healthier version from scratch in one pot with just ten minutes of prep time.
Get the Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
Black Beans and Rice
A pot of beans and rice is a complete protein, meaning it is a super healthy and filling dish you can serve any night of the week. Plus, it comes together in one pot in just a half hour!
Get the Black Beans and Rice recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Sunday dinner, coming right up! You don't even need to sear the beef ahead of time for this recipe. Nope, just throw it all in your slow cooker and come back four to five hours later.
Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Some of the best dump recipes are old school casseroles, like this vintage classic. The only thing you have to do before combining it all in a baking dish is precook the noodles.
Get the Tuna Noodle Casserole recipe.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Yes, making extra creamy mac and cheese from scratch is easier than you think. Use your pressure cooker and it will only take 30 minutes in total!
Get Ree's Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal
A breakfast that tastes like dessert is the best reason to wake up in the morning! Best of all, you can make this in advance and just reheat in the microwave for up to five days.
Get the Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal recipe.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
There are so many ways to use pulled pork that it is well worth your time to make a big batch and use it throughout the week. Even better: It only takes ten minutes of prep.
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is one of the healthiest vegetarian meals you can make. And when you use your Instant Pot, all you have to do is chop a few veggies and let your appliance do the rest.
Get the Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe.
Chocolate Wacky Cake
The wacky thing about this cake? You don't need eggs, milk, or butter in the recipe. Even wackier? You can mix it right in the pan, so you don't make another mixing bowl dirty!
Get the Chocolate Wacky Cake recipe.
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Air fryers aren't just for making French fries! You can make full roasts in them in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven, like this spice-coated pork tenderloin.
Get the Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin recipe.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Whether you've got pork in the oven and want a side dish or just a flavorful, healthy snack, applesauce is the way to go. All you really need to do is peel the fruit!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Applesauce recipe.
Pierogi and Kielbasa Sheet Pan Dinner
Meat, veggies, carbs: You'll have a complete meal mixed together and in the oven in no time. The hack is to use store-bought kielbasa and frozen pierogi.
What to Make With a Rotisserie Chicken
Chili Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Cauliflower Soup
