11 Instant Pot Dump Meals With Few Ingredients For Busy Nights

Q: Can you put frozen meat in an Instant Pot dump meal?

Yes, absolutely. It's one of the Instant Pot's best features. You can place frozen chicken breasts, ground beef, or shrimp directly into the pot for most dump meals. You will typically need to add 3-5 minutes to the total pressure cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through. Always check the internal temperature of meat to confirm it's done.

Q: What's the difference between a dump meal and a one-pot meal?

While all dump meals are one-pot meals, not all one-pot meals are dump meals. A "one-pot meal" simply means everything is cooked in a single pot. However, it may still require multiple steps like browning meat or sautéing vegetables first. A true "dump meal" eliminates these extra steps—all ingredients are added at the beginning with no pre-cooking.

Q: Are Instant Pot dump meals healthy?

They can be very healthy! Because you control the ingredients, you can easily create nutritious dump meals. Focus on lean proteins, lots of vegetables (frozen vegetables work great), low-sodium broths, and whole grains. Pressure cooking also retains more nutrients in food compared to boiling, making it a healthy cooking method.

Tired of the constant “what’s for dinner?” stress? The clock hits 5 PM, your energy is gone, and the thought of chopping, sautéing, and cleaning a mountain of dishes makes ordering takeout seem like the only option. But you know that’s not a sustainable, healthy, or budget-friendly solution for every night. You want a home-cooked meal, but you just don’t have the time or energy for a complicated recipe.

As a busy professional, I know the daily struggle of getting a home-cooked meal on the table. The planning, the prep, the cleanup—it can feel like a second job. That’s why I’ve come to rely on a secret weapon that has completely transformed my weeknights: Instant Pot dump meals. They are the ultimate solution for getting a delicious, satisfying dinner on the table with almost zero effort. This guide is updated for 2025 to give you the best, easiest recipes.

Instant Pot dump meals are recipes where all ingredients are added to the pot at once without any pre-cooking or sautéing. You simply “dump” everything in, seal the lid, and press a button, making them the ultimate solution for fast, one-pot dinners. They save time, reduce cleanup, and deliver incredible flavor, proving that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy a fantastic meal.

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Tired of Takeout? Here’s the Secret to Effortless Weeknight Dinners

The daily scramble to figure out dinner is a universal struggle. You want to provide a delicious, home-cooked meal for yourself or your family, but the demands of work, school, and life get in the way. This is where the magic of the Instant Pot, specifically with dump meals, comes in. These “dump and go” recipes are designed for the busiest of nights, requiring minimal prep and even fewer dishes. You get all the credit for a fantastic meal without all the work. It’s the game-changing secret to saving time, saving money, and finally winning the weeknight dinner battle.

What Makes a “True” Dump and Go Meal?

A true “dump and go” Instant Pot meal requires no pre-cooking. All ingredients, including raw meat and vegetables, are placed into the inner pot, the lid is sealed, and the pressure cooking cycle begins. This one-step process minimizes prep time and cleanup, defining the ultimate convenience in home cooking.

To be considered a “true” dump and go recipe, it must meet these criteria:

No Sautéing Required: You skip the browning and sautéing steps entirely. Raw proteins, vegetables, and seasonings go straight into the pot.
One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in the Instant Pot’s inner pot. No extra pans or bowls are needed for preparation.
Minimal Prep: The most you’ll do is some quick chopping or opening cans and packages. Many recipes even use frozen ingredients to save more time.
Dump, Set, and Forget: Once the lid is on and the button is pressed, your work is done until it’s time to eat.

11 Instant Pot Dump Meals With Few Ingredients For Busy Nights

Ready to reclaim your evenings? Here are 11 tried-and-true Instant Pot dump meals that are incredibly easy and packed with flavor. I’ve curated these recipes for their simplicity, reliance on pantry staples, and ability to please even the pickiest eaters. From cheesy pasta to hearty soups and comforting beef tips, there’s a new family favorite waiting for you in this list. Let’s get cooking!

1. Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine with Velveeta

Ingredients: 1 lb fettuccine (broken in half), 4 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 lb frozen raw shrimp, 8 oz Velveeta cheese (cubed).
Instructions:
1. Add broth, Cajun seasoning, and broken fettuccine to the Instant Pot. Gently push pasta down to submerge. Do not stir.
2. Layer the frozen shrimp on top of the pasta.
3. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 6 minutes.
4. When finished, perform a quick release. Stir in the cubed Velveeta until melted and creamy.

Pro-Tip: For a richer flavor, add a splash of heavy cream along with the Velveeta. If you prefer less spice, use half the amount of Cajun seasoning.

Pin this cheesy shrimp pasta for your next busy weeknight!

2. Dump and Start Instant Pot Beef Tips and Gravy

Ingredients: 2 lbs beef stew meat, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup, 1 packet brown gravy mix, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 cup water or beef broth.
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
2. Stir briefly to combine.
3. Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 25 minutes.
4. Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release before performing a quick release. Serve hot.

Pro-Tip: For a true one-pot meal, place a cup of white rice in an oven-safe bowl on a trivet above the beef tips before cooking. The rice will cook at the same time!

Save this comforting beef tips recipe for a chilly evening!

3. Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein

Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces), 8 oz spaghetti or lo mein noodles, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables.
Instructions:
1. Add broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chicken pieces to the Instant Pot.
2. Break noodles in half and scatter on top in a criss-cross pattern to prevent clumping.
3. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
4. Quick release the pressure. Stir in the frozen vegetables. Place the lid back on for 5 minutes to allow the residual heat to cook the vegetables.

Lesson Learned: Don’t stir the noodles before cooking! Layering them on top prevents them from sticking to the bottom and triggering a “burn” notice.

Skip the takeout and pin this easy Lo Mein recipe!

4. Instant Pot Baked Potatoes

Ingredients: 4 large Russet potatoes (scrubbed), 1 cup water, Toppings of choice (butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, leftover chili).
Instructions:
1. Pour water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside.
2. Pierce each potato several times with a fork.
3. Place potatoes on the trivet.
4. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 14 minutes.
5. Allow a 10-minute natural release, then quick release any remaining pressure.

Pro-Tip: For crispy skin, brush the cooked potatoes with olive oil and salt, then place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.

Pin this potato hack for the fastest baked potatoes ever!

5. Dump and Start Instant Pot 3 Packet Chicken

Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 packet Italian dressing mix, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, 1 packet brown gravy mix, 1/2 cup water.
Instructions:
1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
2. Sprinkle all three packets of seasoning over the chicken.
3. Pour the water around the chicken.
4. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes (for fresh) or 15 minutes (for frozen).
5. Allow a 10-minute natural release, then shred with two forks.

Lesson Learned: This chicken creates a delicious, savory gravy. Serve it over the chicken the first night, then use the leftover shredded chicken for fajitas, salads, or sandwiches the next day.

Need a meal prep hero? Pin this versatile chicken recipe!

6. Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas and Ham

Ingredients: 1 lb dried black eyed peas (rinsed), 1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced ham, 1 onion (chopped), 6 cups chicken broth or water, 1 tsp black pepper.
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
2. Secure the lid and set to high pressure for 25 minutes.
3. Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 20 minutes.
4. Remove the ham bone (if using), shred the meat, and return it to the pot. Stir before serving.

Pro-Tip: No need to soak the beans overnight! The pressure cooker tenderizes them perfectly from dry, saving you an entire step.

Pin this budget-friendly comfort meal for later!

7. Easy Instant Pot Lasagna Bow Tie Pasta

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce, 4 cups beef broth, 1 lb bow tie pasta, 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
Instructions:
1. Add crumbled raw ground beef, broth, marinara sauce, and pasta to the pot. Push pasta down to submerge.
2. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
3. Perform a quick pressure release.
4. Stir in the ricotta cheese until combined, then sprinkle mozzarella on top and place the lid back on for 2 minutes to melt.

Lesson Learned: Using bow tie pasta is key here. Its shape holds the sauce and cheesy goodness perfectly, giving you a lasagna-like bite every time.

Craving lasagna? Pin this easy 30-minute version!

8. Dump and Start Instant Pot Beef Vegetable Soup

Ingredients: 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, 1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (undrained), 6 cups beef broth, 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
Instructions:
1. Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
4. Allow a 10-minute natural release before quick releasing the remaining pressure.

Pro-Tip: Buy pre-cut beef stew meat from the butcher to save even more time. No need to thaw the vegetables, just dump them in frozen!

Pin this wholesome soup for a quick and healthy dinner!

9. Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

Ingredients: 1 lb angel hair pasta (broken in half), 4 cups chicken broth, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 cup butter, juice of 1 lemon, 1 lb frozen raw shrimp, red pepper flakes and parsley for garnish.
Instructions:
1. Add broth, garlic, butter, and lemon juice to the Instant Pot.
2. Add broken pasta in a criss-cross pattern. Layer frozen shrimp on top.
3. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes.
4. Perform an immediate quick release. Stir well and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes.

Lesson Learned: Angel hair pasta cooks incredibly fast. Do not cook longer than 2 minutes and be ready for an immediate quick release to prevent it from getting mushy.

For an elegant dinner in minutes, pin this Shrimp Scampi!

10. Instant Pot Hamburger Helper with Fried Onion Topping

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 2 cups elbow macaroni, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup crispy fried onions.
Instructions:
1. Add crumbled raw ground beef, beef broth, macaroni, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder to the pot.
2. Stir to combine, ensuring macaroni is submerged.
3. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
4. Quick release the pressure. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Top with crispy fried onions before serving.

Pro-Tip: Using raw ground beef works perfectly in this dump meal. The pressure cooker cooks it through and the final stir breaks it up into the perfect consistency for the sauce.

Pin this one-pot wonder for a dinner the whole family will love!

11. Instant Pot Taco Soup

Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey or beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 1 can (15 oz) black beans (rinsed), 1 can (15 oz) corn (drained), 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel diced tomatoes & green chiles, 4 cups chicken broth.
Instructions:
1. Add crumbled raw ground meat to the pot, then sprinkle with taco seasoning.
2. Dump in the black beans, corn, Ro-Tel, and chicken broth. Do not stir.
3. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Quick release the pressure. Stir well to break up the meat. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Lesson Learned: Adding the canned ingredients on top of the raw meat and broth prevents a “burn” notice. The final stir incorporates everything perfectly.

Love tacos? Pin this easy soup version for your next fiesta!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Instant Pot Dump Meals

Feeling inspired? Here’s a quick recap of the most important tips to ensure your dump meal adventures are a smashing success.

True “Dump & Go” Means No Sautéing: The biggest time-saver is putting everything in raw, sealing the lid, and walking away. Embrace the simplicity!
Layer Liquids First, Pasta/Rice Last: To prevent sticking and burn warnings, always add your broth or water first, followed by meats and vegetables, with starches like pasta on top.
Frozen to Finished is Fine: Most dump meals work perfectly with frozen proteins like chicken breasts or shrimp; just add a few extra minutes to the pressure cook time.
Think Beyond Dinner: Use your Instant Pot to make versatile components like the 3 Packet Shredded Chicken or baked potatoes that can be used for meals all week long.

Final Thoughts

The Instant Pot isn’t just another kitchen gadget; it’s a tool that can give you back your weeknights. By embracing the simplicity of dump meals, you prove that delicious, home-cooked dinners don’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or stressful. You can serve up a satisfying meal that your family will love, and no one has to know it only took you five minutes of active effort.

Which of these dump meals are you most excited to try first? Let me know in the comments below

11 Instant Pot Dump Meals With Few Ingredients For Busy Nights