23 Dump-and-Go Recipes Because Brutal Workdays Still Deserve a Good Meal

Coming home after a long day is hard when everyone is tired and the house is messy. Sometimes I just want to sit down instead of standing at the stove for an hour. On those nights, I use these 23 dump-and-go recipes because they do all the hard work for me. You just put the food in a pot or a pan, turn on the heat, and walk away. It is the easiest way to have a hot dinner without feeling even more tired.

Easy Salsa Chicken

Mix a jar of salsa and chicken in the pot. The meat gets very soft and is easy to shred for tacos or rice. It is the fastest way to make a hot dinner with almost no work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Onions and melted cheese cover these meatballs to make them taste like onion soup. Eat them with a slice of toast on the side. It is a warm and filling meal for a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Put the pasta right in the pot with the chicken and cheese sauce. You only have to clean one dish when dinner is over. Kids love how cheesy and soft the noodles get.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Potato dumplings and spinach cook in a creamy soup while you are away. It only takes a few minutes to start in the morning. This warm meal will be waiting for you when you get home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Small tomatoes turn the white sauce into a pretty pink color. The sauce is thick and tastes best served over a big bowl of noodles. It is an easy way to make a fancy-looking dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Sour cream makes the mushroom sauce very smooth and creamy. Most people serve these beef pieces over curly noodles. It feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Spices and lime juice give this pork a great flavor for tacos. You can make a big batch to have tacos tonight and sandwiches tomorrow. This helps you save time later in the week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork

Easy Sausage Peppers and Onions in a Crock Pot

Peppers and onions get very soft as they cook with the sausage. Put everything inside a long piece of bread for a great sandwich. It makes a normal school night feel like a summer party.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sausage Peppers and Onions in a Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Garlic and cheese make a thick sauce that tastes great on meat and potatoes. The slow cooker stops the pork from getting too dry. Your whole house will smell like fresh garlic bread.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Lemons and herbs make the kitchen smell fresh while this cooks. It is a light dinner that feels good to eat after a busy day. Add a little salty cheese on top before you eat.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Sticky, sweet sauce covers the chicken and pieces of pineapple. It tastes like takeout food but is ready as soon as you get home. This sweet meal is a nice way to end the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Soft potato balls float in a thick, white soup. It is a gentle meal that is very easy to eat when you are tired. The soup is smooth and fills you up fast.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Use five simple things from your kitchen to start this meal quickly. The rice stays moist because it soaks up all the juices from the chicken. This is a perfect dinner for when you are too tired to cook.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice

Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

Meat slides right off the bone after cooking in a dark sauce all day. It is a rich meal that tastes best over a pile of mashed potatoes. This dish makes you feel cozy and full.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Beef cooks slowly in a dark sauce until it is very soft. Your house will smell wonderful from the moment you walk inside. It feels like a big family dinner even on a busy workday.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Crushed crackers, cheese, and bacon make a crunchy topping. This is a good meal to make when you don’t have many groceries left. Everyone in the family will like the different textures.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Sausage, green beans, and potatoes all cook together in one pot. Spices give the food a little bit of flavor without being too hot. It stays warm and ready even if you are late for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Carrots and chicken simmer in a warm broth until they are soft. Put the noodles in at the end so they do not get too mushy. It is a simple, healthy meal for a quiet evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Chicken cooks in red sauce until it is soft enough to break with a spoon. It stays ready in the pot until you are ready to eat. Use a piece of bread to soak up the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Mushrooms and sweet juice cook with the meat until everything is soft. You get a fancy dinner without having to stand by the stove. It is a nice way to relax at the end of a long day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Pork sits on top of potatoes and carrots to share its flavor. By dinner time, the meat and carrots are soft enough to eat with just a fork. It is a full meal that doesn’t need any extra work.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Red Wine

A special dark sauce makes this beef taste very rich. The meat gets so soft that it falls apart on its own after a few hours. This is an easy way to make a big, important meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Red Wine

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatballs

Red sauce and cheese melt over the meatballs to make a spicy coating. It is a very fast meal to put together with no stress at all. These taste great with a few green herbs on top.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatballs

Drop the phone, grab a wooden spoon, and let dinner handle itself while you finally breathe.