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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Simple Gourmet Dinners You Can Just Dump and Bake

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 7, 2025 · Published November 7, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 23 simple gourmet dinners are perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Just dump the ingredients into a baking dish, pop it in the oven, and let it do the work for you. Enjoy a satisfying meal with minimal effort and cleanup.

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner is all about simplicity and flavor. Just chop up some ingredients, mix them with chicken and veggies on a sheet pan, add your favorite sauce, and let the oven handle the rest. It's an easy way to enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dish brings together a nice mix of spicy and sweet flavors that everyone in the family will enjoy. It's a simple one-pan meal that features healthy vegetables, making dinner quick and easy.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in no time. It combines buffalo sauce, spinach, and lots of cheese for a tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. This is a great option for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

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

    Firecracker Salmon is a fast and easy dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes. The salmon is coated in a tangy sauce that adds a nice kick, making it a dish that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and super easy to make. With fresh lemon and herbs, you can just put it in the oven for a flaky meal that's perfect for any evening.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

    Baked salmon with crispy topping.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This one-pan dinner is easy to prepare and really filling. It features a crispy coating and delicious flavors that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for a family meal without needing much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

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

    This dinner is easy and perfect for a busy night. Just toss some garlic and herbs with your ingredients on a sheet pan, and in less than 30 minutes, you'll have a tasty meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Gnocchi is a popular dish that many people love, and this version is really simple to prepare. Just toss the gnocchi with some olive oil and pop it in the oven. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making it a delightful meal.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This gourmet dinner is comforting and filling, making it a great choice for a quick meal. With just a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have, it can be ready in about 30 minutes. It's an easy way to enjoy a delicious dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It's juicy and tender, with plenty of flavor in every bite. You can simply toss everything together and let the oven do the work, making it a stress-free option for busy evenings.

    Get the recipe

    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, making it a quick and easy meal option. You can have it ready to eat in under an hour, so it's perfect for busy evenings. Just throw everything together and let the oven do the work.

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    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a simple and quick meal that requires very little effort. You just need to layer the ingredients in a baking dish and let the oven do the work. It's a comforting and filling option that's perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Bacon-wrapped salmon filets cooked in garlic butter create a tasty family meal. This dish is simple to prepare and ideal for a cozy dinner at home.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    This chicken pasta bake is simple to prepare and skips the step of boiling noodles. With minimal effort, you can have a filling and delicious dinner ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This veggie casserole brings together white beans, pasta, and cherry tomatoes all in one dish, creating a filling meal. It's a simple choice for dinner that doesn't take much work to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is packed with Cajun flavors, combining shrimp and andouille sausages seasoned with Creole spices. It's a straightforward dish that you can easily mix together and pop in the oven. Perfect for a flavorful meal without much effort, this dinner brings a taste of the South right to your table.

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    Baked Ranch Chicken

    Baked ranch chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This dish is easy to prepare and results in a creamy sauce as it bakes. You'll have tender chicken smothered in a flavorful gravy, topped off with crunchy panko breadcrumbs. It's a comforting meal that comes together with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

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

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a simple dinner option that comes together with just a handful of ingredients. Everything cooks on a single sheet pan, which means less mess and easier cleanup. This dish is perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      7 Weeknight Dinners I’ve Made for Over 20 Years
    • Air fryer nachos.
      8 Best Snacks to Make for National Nachos Day
    • Jalapeno popper wontons.
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    • Sweet potato casserole.
      12 Sweet Potato Casseroles So Good They’ll Become New Thanksgiving Traditions

    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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