22 Dump and Go Instant Pot Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Some evenings, dinner needs to practically make itself, and that’s exactly what these dump-and-go Instant Pot recipes are for.
Most of these recipes are true dump-and-go meals. All you have to do is toss in your ingredients, close the lid, and let the Instant Pot handle the rest.
A few have one optional finishing step, like shredding the meat or crisping it under the grill, for the best flavour and texture.
With everything cooking in one pot, there’s far less to clean up afterward, and one less thing pulling at your attention on an already long day.
Most of these recipes use everyday supermarket ingredients, so you won’t need to make a special shopping trip.
As a busy parent I’ve relied on practical, kid-friendly recipes that save time without sacrificing flavour. These Instant Pot dinners have earned a permanent place alongside my other easy family recipes and part of my own recipe collections.
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I have to give credit to my oldest daughter for getting me on the Instant Pot bandwagon. She kept raving about how easy it made dinner. Just toss everything in and walk away. I’ll admit, I was a little doubtful at first, but once I tried it, I was hooked too.
After a long day, I just want to get dinner on the table fast, without a lot of effort. That’s why dump-and-go recipes are now a regular part of my weeknight routine. They’re perfect for those nights when a complicated meal just isn’t going to happen.
So, I’ve collected 22 super easy Instant Pot recipes for busy weeknights. You’ll find everything from hearty classics to healthy, kid-friendly meals that everyone will actually want to eat.
Chicken Dump And Go Instant Pot Recipes
Chicken is always a go-to for busy nights. It’s budget-friendly, cooks fast, and everyone seems to like it.
These chicken recipes are as easy as it gets! Just dump in the ingredients and let the Instant Pot do its thing.
Chicken recipes are the ones I make most often because they’re inexpensive and my family rarely complains.
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Prep and cooking time (23 minutes). Reheats nicely for lunch the next day.
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with Italian flavor. Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a family favorite that’s sure to earn a permanent spot on your dinner rotation.
Instant Pot Lo Mein
Prep and cooking time (30 minutes). This is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers still reheat well for a quick lunch.
Loaded with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory garlic ginger sauce. Instant Pot Lo Mein is a satisfying swap for takeaway on a busy night.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Prep and cooking time (18 minutes). This recipe freezes well, so it’s worth doubling the batch.
Chicken Tortilla Soup is a cozy Mexican-inspired soup that brings together rotisserie chicken, beans, and warm spices. It is a dish the whole family will ask for again and again.
Crack Chicken
Prep and cooking time (20 minutes). This recipe freezes well, and is picky eater approved!
Crack Chicken is creamy, tangy, and topped with crispy bacon. This Ranch-flavored favorite works just as well piled onto sandwiches as it does served over rice.
Chicken Stroganoff
Prep and cooking time (40 minutes). This recipe takes a little longer, so is better for weekends. Reheats nicely for lunch the next day.
Tender chicken, mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce over egg noodles. Chicken Stroganoff is the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Chicken Fajita Soup
Prep and cooking time (22 minutes). This recipe freezes well, so it’s worth doubling the batch.
Bright with bell pepper, onion, and warm taco seasoning. Chicken Fajita Soup delivers all the flavor of your favorite Tex-Mex dish in one comforting bowl.
Orange Chicken
Prep and cooking time (15 minutes). This recipe is a picky-eater favourite that reheats nicely for lunch. You’ll need to cook the rice separately.
Sweet, sticky, and just a touch spicy. Orange Chicken is a fakeaway favorite that beats a trip to your local Chinese takeaway.
Salsa Chicken
Prep and cooking time (30 minutes). This recipe freezes well, and it’s brilliant to have on hand for quick lunches. The chicken needs shredding after it is cooked.
With just a handful of ingredients, Salsa Chicken shreds up perfectly for tacos, burritos, or spooning over rice and salads.
Dump and Go Beef
Beef is perfect when you want something hearty and filling, and the Instant Pot makes even the toughest cuts tender in no time.
These beef dump and go Instant Pot recipes are as simple as tossing everything in and letting the pot work its magic. Dinner pretty much cooks itself.
Beef recipes are amongst my favorite colder-weather meals because they are so hearty and satisfying.
Instant Pot Meatballs
Prep and cooking time (32 minutes). This recipe freezes well, making it easy to keep a batch on hand. The spaghetti is cooked separately.
Simmered in marinara sauce with classic Italian flavor, Instant Pot Meatballs come together with no browning or searing required.
Instant Pot Pot Roast
Prep and cooking time (1 hour and 40 minutes). This recipe needs more time, so is better for weekends. It reheats beautifully. It’s one of our go to meals in the winter.
Fork-tender chuck roast, baby potatoes, and carrots cook together in one pot, turning Instant Pot Pot Roast into a comforting family dinner.
Beef and Vegetable Soup
Prep and cooking time (30 minutes). Leftovers freeze well and reheat beautifully.
Loaded with tender beef, barley, and a colorful mix of vegetables, Beef and Vegetable Soup makes a wholesome, meal-prep-friendly dinner in about 30 minutes.
Korean Beef
Prep and cooking time (40 minutes). This recipe reheats nicely for lunch.
Sweet, savory, and just spicy enough, Korean Beef makes an easy weeknight swap for takeaway, served over rice with steamed veggies on the side.
Beef Barbacoa
Prep and cooking time (1 hour 20 minutes). This recipe is very flexible. Use it for burritos, in tacos, over nachos, or in rice bowls. It freezes well for make ahead meals.
Smoky, tangy, and infused with chipotle and lime, Beef Barbacoa shreds up beautifully for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls.
Dump and Go Pork Recipes
Pork is another winner in the Instant Pot—it turns out so tender, you’d never guess it didn’t take hours. These pork recipes are true dump-and-go: just add your ingredients and let the pot do all the work while you get on with your evening.
Pork recipes are a favorite in our house because they’re endlessly versatile, going from tacos to sandwiches to a simple dinner with veg.
Crispy Pork Carnitas
Prep and cooking time (1 hour, 25 minutes). The pork requires crisping after cooking, but it is worth it! It freezes well, but is worth separating the meat and sauce.
Zesty with orange and warmed by cinnamon and garlic, Crispy Pork Carnitas crisps up beautifully after cooking, ready for tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls.
Sausage, Green Beans, And Potatoes
Prep and cooking time (20 minutes). This recipe freezes well.
Smoked sausage, tender potatoes, and green beans come together with Cajun seasoning for a one-pot dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes. Find Sausage, Green Beans, and Potatoes here.
Instant Pot Rigatoni
Prep and cooking time (30 minutes). This recipe reheats nicely for an easy lunch.
Creamy, cheesy, and made in one pot, Instant Pot Rigatoni pairs sausage and marinara for a comfort food dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Pulled Pork
Prep and cooking time (1 hour, 15 minutes). The pork needs to be shredded after cooking.
Rubbed with a smoky spice blend, seared for extra flavor, then finished in your favorite BBQ sauce, Pulled Pork shreds up beautifully for sandwiches, tacos, or loaded baked potatoes.
Red Beans And Rice
Prep and cooking time (35 minutes). This reheats easily for a hearty lunch.
A hearty Southern classic, Red Beans And Rice combines Andouille sausage, ham, and Cajun spices in one comforting bowl served over rice.
Dump and Go Vegetarian Recipes
Going meatless doesn’t mean missing out on flavor, especially with the Instant Pot’s help.
These no meat dump and go Instant Pot recipes use beans, lentils, and plenty of veggies to make filling, satisfying meals.
Vegetarian recipes have become a regular fixture in our week, because they’re an easy way to stretch our grocery budget without anyone feeling like they’re missing out.
Mac And Cheese
Prep and cooking time (26 minutes). This is the ultimate kid friendly meal. I make sure to have the ingredients on hand when my granddaughter visits.
Elbow macaroni and a rich cheese sauce come together in one pot, and this creamy Mac and Cheese is ready in just under 30 minutes.
Vegetable Barley Soup
Prep and cooking time (25 minutes). This recipe freezes well.
Loaded with hearty vegetables, tender barley, and diced tofu for protein, Vegetable Barley Soup makes a warming meatless dinner in about 25 minutes.
Navy Bean Soup
Prep and cooking time (15 minutes). This recipe freezes well, so make a double batch.
White beans, potato, and a classic mirepoix of onion, carrot, and celery simmer together for Navy Bean Soup, a hearty vegan bowl ready in about 15 minutes.
Green Lentil Soup
Prep and cooking time (15 minutes). This recipe is easy to customize, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Packed with protein and fiber, and forgiving enough to toss in whatever vegetables need using up, Green Lentil Soup is a nourishing meatless meal you can make in the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
With 22 dump-and-go Instant Pot recipes to pick from, you’ll always have an easy dinner idea ready for those nights when you’re low on time and energy.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot, I’d start with Salsa Chicken or Chicken Tortilla Soup since they’re almost impossible to mess up. If you meal prep on weekends, Beef Barbacoa and Crispy Pork Carnitas freeze exceptionally well.
Try one out tonight, and be sure to pin this post so you can find it again when you need an easy dinner that can make itself.
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