These 20 Winter Dump Dinners Literally Cook Themselves

    Less cooking, more relaxing.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Jenna Benty / BuzzFeed

    Don't feel like putting in a ton of effort tonight to make a gourmet dinner? Thanks to your handy slow cooker, you can make an impressive meal with almost no hands-on cooking. Here are a bunch of cozy recipes you can set in your Crock Pot and forget about until dinner time.

    1. Poblano Turkey Chili

    Well Fed Soul / Via well-fedsoul.com

    You have better things to do than stand at the stove all day. Toss your chili ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and let dinner cook itself. Get the recipe.

    2. Chicken Teriyaki

    Dinner Then Dessert / Via dinnerthendessert.com

    Everyone needs a few go-to chicken recipes on hand. This one is particularly easy, and it calls for a few basic ingredients like chicken thighs, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Get the recipe.

    3. Pork Carnitas

    The Noshery / Via thenoshery.com

    The hardest part about making carnitas is having the patience to let them slow cook while the mouthwatering smells waft through your kitchen. Get the recipe.

    4. Chicken Fajita Soup

    The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com

    Let this creamy chicken soup simmer for a few hours. When you're ready to eat, garnish it with your favorite fajita toppings. Get the recipe.

    5. Butter Chicken

    Slow Cooker Gourmet / Via slowcookergourmet.net

    Before you order in from your favorite local Indian restaurant, try this hands-off recipe at home. Serve it with some microwave rice and frozen naan. Get the recipe.

    6. Split Pea Stew

    The Magical Slow Cooker / Via themagicalslowcooker.com

    This hearty soup has to cook for about eight hours, but it requires almost zero effort on your end. Make a big batch and keep some frozen for lazy nights. Get the recipe.

    7. Eggplant Lasagna

    Eating European / Via eatingeuropean.com

    Here's a meatless recipe the whole family will love. And the best part: You can just set it in the Crock Pot and forget it until dinner time. Get the recipe.

    8. Red Beans and Rice

    A Pinch of Healthy / Via apinchofhealthy.com

    This Southern classic couldn't be easier to make. Kidney beans and andouille sausage get simmered with peppers, onions, garlic, and spices until everything is super tender. Serve it over rice for a satisfying and budget-friendly dinner. Get the recipe.

    9. Spicy Beef Tortellini Soup

    Slow Cooker Gourmet / Via slowcookergourmet.net

    Comforting beef stew gets a twist, thanks to cheese-filled tortellini. Just add the pasta to the slow cooker about thirty minutes before you're ready to eat. Get the recipe.

    10. Mongolian Beef

    The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com

    Put down the delivery menu. You can make this beef dish right in your kitchen with some basic ingredients like flank steak, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Get the recipe.

    11. Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff

    Top Buzz / Via topbuzz.com

    This budget-friendly winter meal — featuring boneless chicken breasts, mushrooms, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup — will easily become a staple in your household. Get the recipe.

    12. Sweet Potato and Lentil Tikka Masala

    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    Whether you're trying to cut back on meat or you just want to try a new recipe, this vegetarian curry is the perfect solution. Serve it over your favorite grain for a filling dinner. Get the recipe.

    13. Sausage and Cabbage

    Brooklyn Farm Girl / Via brooklynfarmgirl.com

    Looking for a meal that won't break the bank? Try this recipe, which calls for sweet Italian sausage and loads of vegetables. Get the recipe.

    14. Mediterranean Chicken

    Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

    Transport yourself to the Aegean sea by way of your kitchen. Chicken breasts are cooked in lemon juice and garlic with onions, olives, red peppers, and capers. Get the recipe.

    15. Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

    Slow Cooker Gourmet / Via slowcookergourmet.net

    This meatless meal is filling as it is, but you can always add ground beef, turkey, or chicken to the mix for even more protein. Get the recipe.

    16. Balsamic Glazed Roast Beef

    Closet Cooking / Via closetcooking.com

    You can brown the beef and sautée the vegetables before placing everything in your Crock Pot, or feel free to go straight to the slow cooker. Get the recipe.

    17. Butternut Squash Chickpea Chili

    The Almond Eater / Via thealmondeater.com

    Loaded with onion, squash, chickpeas, and diced tomatoes, this veggie-packed chili is a great recipe to meal prep on Sunday and enjoy all week. Get the recipe.

    18. Mushroom Macaroni 'n' Cheese

    The Modern Propper / Via themodernproper.com

    Go ahead and help yourself to seconds of this cheesy macaroni-- there are some vegetables in there, after all. Get the recipe.

    19. General Tso's Chicken

    The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com

    Coated in hoisin, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, this juicy, saucy chicken recipe is the ultimate feel-good food. Get the recipe.

    20. White Chicken Chili

    Diethood / Via diethood.com

    The perfect game day recipe, this chicken chili is made with corn, beans, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and loads of spices. Top it with your favorite Tex-Mex toppings like tortilla chips and sliced avocado. Get the recipe.