10 reader-loved dump-and-go dinners that use cheap ingredients

10 reader-loved dump-and-go dinners that use cheap ingredients

Dump-and-go dinners are the kind that actually get made when you're tired, the kids are loud, and you don't want to scrub five pans after. These all use pantry basics and budget proteins, and they don't need babysitting once they're in the slow cooker or baking dish.

1. Salsa chicken bowls

Toss chicken breasts or thighs, a jar of salsa, and a can of black beans in the slow cooker. Cook until it shreds. Serve over rice with cheese or whatever toppings you have. It tastes like you tried way harder than you did.

2. Ranch chicken and potatoes

Dump chicken thighs, cubed potatoes, baby carrots, a packet of ranch seasoning, and a little broth into the slow cooker. By dinner, everything is tender and flavored from the same seasoning. One pot, done.

3. Chili with beans

Brown ground beef or turkey if you have the energy-if not, toss it in raw with chili seasoning, canned tomatoes, and a couple cans of beans. Let it go low and slow. Serve with crackers, rice, or cornbread.

4. Creamy Italian pasta bake

Mix dry pasta, a jar of pasta sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and cooked sausage or ground meat in a baking dish. Top with cheese and bake until the pasta is tender. No boiling separate noodles.

5. Sausage, peppers, and onions

Slice smoked sausage, toss with frozen peppers and onions, and add a splash of Italian dressing or simple seasoning. Cook in the slow cooker or oven. Serve over rice or on buns.

6. Chicken and stuffing

Lay chicken breasts in a slow cooker, top with a can of cream soup, a splash of broth, and dry stuffing mix. It turns into a cozy, casserole-style dinner with hardly any effort.

7. Red beans and rice

Dump dry red beans (rinsed), diced onion, celery, garlic, broth, and a bit of smoked sausage or ham into the slow cooker. Let it go all day. Serve over rice for a very cheap, filling meal.

8. Taco soup

Combine ground meat (or skip for meatless), taco seasoning, canned beans, corn, tomatoes, and broth. Simmer in a pot or slow cooker. Top with chips, cheese, or sour cream if you have them.

9. BBQ pulled pork sandwiches

Place a pork shoulder in the slow cooker with sliced onion and BBQ sauce. Cook until it falls apart. Serve on buns or over baked potatoes. Leftovers freeze well for another easy night.

10. "Clean-out-the-fridge" veggie soup

Use broth, canned tomatoes, any sad vegetables, leftover meat, and a handful of pasta or rice. Toss it all in a pot or slow cooker and let it simmer. You use up food you already bought instead of letting it go bad.