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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    17 Tasty Dinners You Can Set and Forget for the Easiest Nights Ever

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 2, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 17 dinners are perfect for busy nights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Just set everything up in your slow cooker or oven, and let it do the work while you relax or take care of other things. Enjoy delicious meals with minimal effort!

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked ravioli casserole is an easy meal that you can put together in just 20 minutes, with only 5 minutes spent on prep. Using pre-made cheese ravioli makes it perfect for busy nights, and you can even prepare it in advance and keep it in the fridge or freezer. This dish is great for when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and veggies is a quick and easy dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes using only one pan. This dish offers a satisfying meal with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy nights. You can enjoy a hearty combination of flavors without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon with Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet pan salmon with brussels sprouts.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dinner is all about simplicity, allowing you to cook everything on a single sheet pan. You'll have delicious brussels sprouts paired with salmon, and you can easily add some rice if you like. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is an easy dinner option that requires only a few ingredients and minimal prep. Everything cooks on a single sheet pan, so you won't have to deal with a lot of cleanup afterward. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 super simple to make, requiring only four main ingredients along with a few handy store-bought items. You can whip it up in about 5 minutes, and it will be ready to serve in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This chicken and potatoes dish combines juicy bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and button mushrooms, all cooked together on one sheet pan. It's a straightforward way to have a filling dinner with very little cleanup afterward. You only need about 15 minutes to get everything ready before it goes into the oven.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This one-pan dinner is simple to prepare and full of flavor. With garlic and herbs, everything cooks together in the oven, resulting in tender, delicious food in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and completely plant-based. It's a simple meal that you can prepare in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy nights, this recipe allows you to enjoy a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is great for a quick dinner. You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own, and it's a straightforward meal that everyone will like.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole brings the delicious flavors of chicken fajitas straight to your dinner table with minimal effort. It features protein-packed black beans and quinoa, all baked together in one dish for a simple and satisfying meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is both easy to prepare and enjoyable to eat.

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    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This casserole is a simple mix of rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables, creating a quick and satisfying meal. With just under an hour needed for preparation and baking, it's ideal for busy nights when you want something easy. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish combines cheesy chicken and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, resulting in a filling meal that's easy to make. It's perfect for a cozy dinner when you want something comforting without a lot of work.

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    Baked Meatballs

    Baked Meatballs.
    Photo credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Baked meatballs are easy to make and only require ground beef and a few everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. They pair well with spaghetti and marinara sauce or can be used to create delicious Italian meatball subs. This dish is great for a cozy dinner without taking up too much of your time.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is a simple choice for a family dinner that you can have ready in under 45 minutes. Just mix together chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots with a flavorful marinade, then let the oven handle the rest. It's a great way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Slow Cooker Lamb Ribs are incredibly tender and packed with flavor. They're easy to prepare, needing only a bit of effort for a meal that everyone will love. Just set them up in the morning, and by dinner time, you'll have lamb ribs that are so soft they almost fall off the bone.

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    Sheet Pan Steak & Potatoes

    Sheet pan steak and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Roasted potatoes and steak come together in this easy one-pan meal. It's a filling dinner that requires very little cleanup, making it perfect for busy nights. Just toss everything on a pan and let the oven do the work.

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    Baked Tilapia

    Baked tilapia.
    Photo credit: Organically Addison.

    Baked tilapia is easy to make and full of flavor. It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare, which makes it a great option for busy nights. This dish is perfect when you want a quick and tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • 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!
      Too Busy to Cook? These Dump-and-Go Dinners Are the Answer
    • Lasagna.
      20 Dump-and-Go Pasta Dishes for When You Don’t Want to Cook
    • A spoonful of company casserole being lifted out of a pan full.
      30 Layer-and-Bake Dinners That Practically Cook Themselves
    • CREAMY BAKED ZITI.
      Dump, Bake, and Enjoy: 40 Gourmet Dinners Made Simple

    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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