Some nights we want to pretend like we’re on the Food Network, marinating, simmering, and sous viding like it’s a dang competition. But most nights, we want to come home after a long day at work or with the kids and have dinner hot and ready. Thankfully, that is possible with the help of a handy kitchen appliance called a Crock-Pot.

With the right recipe, this classic kitchen helper makes meal preparation incredibly simple and easy. Enter dump-and-go recipes. They’re exactly as the name implies — recipes that require barely any prep to pull off. No browning meat or pre-cooking veggies. Just dump all the ingredients in the slow cooker and go about your day. Return and get ready to nosh. Check out these 19 delicious recipes for those days that require minimal prep.

Crock Pot Black Bean Chili

For a hearty and cozy recipe, check out this dump-and-go Crock Pot black bean chili from The Spruce. The vegetarian recipe features bell peppers, canned beans, and frozen corn, making it incredibly filling sans meat.

Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

Throw chopped veggies, such as celery and carrots, dry split peas, and chopped turkey bacon or other ham product into a slow cooker set it, and cozy up to some comforting and creamy split pea soup a few hours later. We love this super easy split pea soup crockpot recipe by Family Fresh Meals.

Crock Pot Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Cheese, bacon, chicken and tater tots combine into a melty, savory meal in this amazing-looking chicken tater tot casserole recipe from The Country Cook. Kids and adults are going to love this one.

Crock Pot Pot Roast

Want a classic and tender pot roast for dinner but without hassle? This slow cooker pot roast recipe by The Magical Slow Cooker is the way to go if so. The recipe cooks a fall-apart-with-a-gentle-tug-of-a-fork pot roast, carrots, potatoes, and gravy at the same time.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

This dump-and-go white chicken chili recipe by Gimme Some Oven requires just five ingredients: chicken, salsa verde, beans, chicken stock, and cumin. Just because the ingredients list is short doesn’t mean it’s short on flavor, either.

Crock Pot Eggplant Lasagna

Hearty and warm without being too heavy or indulgent, this super easy slow cooker eggplant lasagna recipe by Eating European is one for the books. Italian seasoning and fresh basil make this meal seem as if we put way more effort into it than we really did.

Crock-Pot Red Curry Lentils

Spicy and saucy, this red curry lentils recipe from Pinch of Yum is cheap, healthy and delicious — and so easy to make. Serve the lentils over rice or with warm naan, and unleavened bread.

Crock Pot Italian Beef

A wallet-friendly chuck roast slowly cooks in beef stock, pepperoncini juice, and Italian seasoning until it is tender and ready to be eaten between two toasty pieces of bread. Try this Italian beef recipe from Its Yummy. Don’t forget to keep the juice to serve on the side!

Crock Pot Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Avgolemono, or a Greek lemon chicken soup, is light and bright while still hitting all our comforting soup cravings. To make this slow cooker avgolemono recipe from Flavor the Moments, just toss chicken, orzo or rice, stock, water, and some seasoning into the Crock-Pot. When it’s almost ready to serve, add the egg-lemon mixture.

Crock Pot Quinoa Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

Soft and flavorful, these bell peppers are stuffed with a healthy and filling meat-free combo of refried beans, black beans, and quinoa. Try out this nutrient-filled slow cooker quinoa black bean stuffed peppers recipe from Pinch of Yum. Top them with avocado, cheese, cilantro, and sour cream for added flavor.

Crock-Pot Carnitas

Got a busy workday before taco night? No problem. Try this dump-and-go slow cooker carnitas recipe from Live Well Bake Often. The simple recipe calls for seasoning a pork shoulder and letting it cook in the slow cooker for about eight hours until it’s easy to shred. Serve with rice or tortillas.

Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli

Forget Chinese takeout. We can make our own beef and broccoli with minimal effort thanks to this crazy simple beef and broccoli recipe from D-mn Delicious.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Toss some chicken thighs into a Crock-Pot along with a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce in this mindlessly easy recipe by Well Plated. Serve with steamed rice and veggies for an inexpensive and healthy meal.

Crock Pot Maple Chicken Stew

Chicken soup is soothing and comforting, but it can be boring sometimes. This recipe from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog is made more flavorful, thanks to the addition of soy sauce and maple syrup.

Crock Pot Black Bean Soup

This dump-and-go black bean soup recipe from Emilie Eats takes the humble dish and turns it into something easy to put together, vegan, and absolutely flavorful, thanks to cayenne, paprika, jalapenos, salsa, garlic, cumin, and more. Serve it with fresh avocado and sour cream.

Crock Pot Chicken with Mushrooms

It takes just four ingredients to create this creamy chicken dish. The real MVP of the recipe is a can of cream of mushroom soup. Follow this simple recipe by The Spruce and enjoy!

Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin With Honey Balsamic Glaze

Sweet and savory, this slow cooker pork tenderloin with honey balsamic glaze recipe by The Recipe Rebel is shockingly easy. The pork tenderloin doesn’t require grilling or any cooking beforehand.

Crock Pot Pork Chops With Cranberries and Apples

How fancy do these pork chops look? Well, it’s a ruse because this dump-and-go recipe by Bren Did is wildly easy. Layer the ingredients properly for a flavorful and juicy meal that looks like it took lots of effort when the reality is anything but.

Crock Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes

Craving some sloppy Joes but not in the mood to cook nor eat meat? Use this yummy recipe from Simply Quinoa. It takes just five minutes to prep!