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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    14 Layer and Bake Meal Prep Dinners We Love Right Now

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 11, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 14 layer and bake meal prep dinners are perfect for busy weeknights. They combine convenience and flavor, allowing you to prepare delicious meals in one dish. With minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction, these recipes will quickly become favorites in your kitchen.

    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    One pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes offer a simple solution for weeknight dinners. The lemony chicken legs paired with roasted potatoes create a warm and satisfying meal that isn't too filling. While everything bakes together, you can quickly whip up a fresh green salad, making it easy to enjoy a nutritious dinner in no time.

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    One Pan Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This one pan dinner is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, it creates a cozy vegetarian casserole that you'll want to make time and time again. It's a great option for a satisfying meal without a lot of work.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Savory Experiments.

    Pasta and meatballs are a family favorite, and this cheesy meatball casserole is a simple way to enjoy them. Using frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, and pasta, it all comes together quickly with very little prep work. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is simple and requires minimal effort.

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    No Boil Cheesy Ham and Macaroni Casserole

    No Boil Cheesy Ham and Macaroni Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    Cheesy ham and macaroni casserole is a creamy and comforting dish that's super easy to make. It comes together quickly, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping at the beginning, everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. You'll enjoy tender chicken, flavorful veggies, and a tasty sauce all in one dish.

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    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta dish is baked right in the oven, making it super easy to prepare. It's topped with a tasty cashew sauce that adds a nice flavor. Perfect for a simple meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it's ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the delicious flavors of enchiladas in a simple layered dish. It features corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and rich red enchilada sauce, all baked together for a comforting meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is a simple one-pan dinner of delicious homemade comfort food. Even better, this chicken and rice bake is incredible as leftovers!

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    Southwest chicken casserole.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a hearty meal that brings together tender chicken, flavorful spices, and melted cheese in a single dish. It features a simple mix of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together, bake it, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy days when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      23 Easy Fall Dinners My Family Asks for Every Week
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      21 Simple Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Fall
    • Chicken broccoli rice bake.
      26 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners That Are Ready When You Are
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      14 Potluck Appetizers That Disappear in Minutes

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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