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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    19 Dump-and-bake dinners that impress without the effort

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated April 15, 2026 · Published April 23, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Dump-and-bake dinners are a game changer for busy weeknights, combining convenience with flavor. These one-pan meals require minimal prep and cleanup, making them perfect for anyone looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. From savory casseroles to hearty pasta dishes, these 19 recipes will satisfy your cravings and leave everyone asking for seconds.

    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Food Exit.

    Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs are a tasty dish with juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a zesty mix of lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, and herbs. This is a great option for a simple and satisfying meal.

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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 easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Baked Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs + Montreal Steak Seasoning.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    Baked honey garlic chicken thighs are covered in a delicious sauce with a kick from Montreal Steak Seasoning. This is a simple meal that's full of flavor and perfect for busy nights.

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    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs deliver big flavors without much work. This simple dish combines spicy harissa paste, zesty lemon, and sweet honey with tender chicken, onions, and sweet potatoes, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Chenee Today.

    This sheet pan chicken thighs and veggies dish is a simple and tasty meal. It features juicy chicken thighs, roasted vegetables, and a flavorful mustard herb sauce, and you can choose between boneless or bone-in chicken.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

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

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a complete meal that's easy to enjoy.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that is delicious.

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    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is simple to make and packed with flavor. Just layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven for a delicious meal with minimal effort.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes is a simple meal that combines tasty ranch seasoning with baby gold potatoes for a satisfying dinner everyone will enjoy. It's great for a weeknight meal or a family gathering, and it's easy to prepare and clean up afterward.

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    Tuna Sushi Bake

    Tuna Sushi Bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This easy sushi bake combines rice, canned tuna, slivered nori, and a spicy mayo drizzle. It's a simple casserole that's great for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or gatherings with friends.

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    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs deliver big flavors without much work. This easy sheet pan dinner combines spicy harissa paste, zesty lemon, and sweet honey with tender chicken, onions, and sweet potatoes for a tasty weeknight meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, using canned tuna and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly, perfect for a satisfying meal.

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    One Pan Falafel Bake

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

    This easy one-pan dinner is simple to prepare and full of flavor. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, this vegetarian casserole is a comforting meal you'll want to make often.

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    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Busy Day Dinners.

    This simple sheet pan dinner features a tasty mix of ingredients inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavors. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Chicken fajitas.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These sheet pan chicken fajitas are loaded with flavor but take just minutes to prep and bake. You'll have a hearty dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes with this foolproof recipe!

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    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    Sheet pan beef and broccoli with teriyaki sauce is a simple dinner option that fits well into busy schedules. These one-pan meals are a great way to enjoy a tasty dish without spending too much 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 quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, you end up with a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and sauce all cooked together in one pan.

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    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

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

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in under an hour.

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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!
      20 Easy Dump-and-Bake Recipes for Effortless Cooking
    • Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
      21 Dump-and-Bake Recipes That Cut Your Cooking Time
    • A scoop of no baked ziti.
      24 Easy Beef Dinners You Just Dump and Bake
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 One-Pan Dump-and-Bake Dinners You Need to Try

    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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