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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Effortless Gourmet Meals You Can Just Dump and Bake

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 18, 2024, updated November 12, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a hassle, especially on busy days when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. These 18 gourmet meals are perfect for those moments; just dump the ingredients into a baking dish, pop it in the oven, and let it do the work for you. Enjoy a variety of flavors and satisfying dishes with minimal effort.

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is easy to make with just a few simple steps. You can layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven for a satisfying meal without any fuss.

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    Lebanese Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms

    Lebanese Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms.
    Photo credit: Every Little Crumb.

    Stuffed artichoke bottoms are packed with bright lemon and tangy flavors that are sure to please. With frozen artichoke bottoms, this hearty dish comes together easily and is great served alongside rice.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features chicken and broccoli, making it a filling meal that's simple to prepare. It's great for leftovers, so you can enjoy it again the next day.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is super easy to make with just three simple ingredients. It’s a tasty option for a gourmet dinner without any fuss.

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    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This baked pasta dish features a delicious cashew "Parmesan" sauce, making it a simple yet fancy meal. It's perfect for those nights when you want something special without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These foil-baked cod packets make dinner simple and tasty with just a few ingredients. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all in one package, it’s an easy meal that cooks perfectly without much fuss.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This is a simple dinner option that everyone will love. Using a sheet pan makes it easy to prepare, with no need for constant stirring.

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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, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, making for a tasty and filling meal. It's super easy to put together, so you can enjoy a great dinner without much hassle.

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    Jalapeno Popper Hash Brown Casserole

    Jalapeno Popper Hash Brown Casserole.
    Photo credit: Erica's Recipes.

    This breakfast casserole is packed with creaminess and cheese, making it a favorite for everyone. It's an easy dish that always pleases the crowd.

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    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. The salmon is slathered in a blend of Greek yogurt and pesto, creating a tasty meal with minimal effort.

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    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This dish is a great choice for a cozy dinner any day. It's simple to make and will satisfy your cravings.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy Mac and Cheese recipe makes a tasty gourmet dinner with minimal effort. With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a cheesy dish featuring Cheddar and Gruyere, all made in one pan without any boiling or complicated steps.

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This simple one-pan meal features tender chicken coated in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, paired with crispy potatoes and deliciously charred broccoli. It's an easy and satisfying dinner that requires minimal effort and cleanup.

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    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a quick and easy dinner option that comes together in just 15 minutes. With a spicy and tangy sauce, this dish makes for a delicious meal that will impress your guests.

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    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli is super easy to make and only takes 20 minutes from start to finish, with just 5 minutes of prep time. Using pre-made cheese ravioli means you can whip it up quickly, making it a great option for a busy weeknight dinner that you can also prepare ahead of time.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a simple dish that comes together quickly and is ready in less than an hour. With spicy buffalo sauce, fresh spinach, and plenty of cheese, it makes for a delicious and filling meal any night.

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    Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    Zucchini boats are filled with flavorful tomato sauce and covered with cheese, then baked in a casserole dish. This simple dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is super easy to make and packed with cheese. You can whip it up in one pan in less than an hour, and it tastes just like something you'd get at a nice restaurant.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      30 Easy Recipes for the Best Spring Picnics
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      18 Kid-Approved Ground Beef Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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