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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    20 Easy Dump-and-Bake Sides for Stress-Free Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated February 18, 2026 · Published February 20, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Finding the right side dishes can be a challenge, especially when you're short on time and energy. These 19 dump-and-bake sides are perfect for busy days, allowing you to throw everything together in one dish without the fuss. They're simple, satisfying, and will complement any main course with ease.

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly easy to make since everything goes into one dish without any pre-cooking. Loaded with mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's a cheesy and comforting meal that you can just pop in the oven.

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    Greek Potatoes with Lemon & Feta Cheese

    Greek potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Lemon and feta cheese roasted potatoes are a breeze to prepare. Simply mix everything together and pop them in the oven, making them ideal for busy days.

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    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes

    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    These Cheesy Potatoes made in a crockpot are an easy side dish that takes the stress out of cooking. Just mix everything together, let it simmer, and you'll have a delicious addition to your meal with minimal effort.

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    Garlic Roasted Broccoli

    Garlic roasted brococli.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy dish makes it simple to enjoy broccoli alongside any meal. It's a great way to add a healthy side without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Brie Mac and Cheese

    Brie mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This is probably the creamiest and most flavorful Mac and Cheese ever! With two types of cheese this is a more elgant version of the classic, all done in one pan with no preboiling and no roux - just dump, bake, and enjoy.

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    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

    Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Mashed potatoes can be made easily in the Instant Pot by steaming them, which keeps them tender and prevents them from getting too watery. This method saves time and effort, making it a great side dish for any meal.

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    Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

    Sweet potato wedges.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer sweet potatoes come together in just 15 minutes, baked to perfection with a sprinkle of cinnamon and salt. They make a great side for fish and chicken, or you can enjoy them on their own as a delicious snack.

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    Rosemary Honey Slow Cooker Beets

    Rosemary Honey Slow Cooker Beets
    Photo Credit: It's a Veg World After All.

    Making side dishes can be a pain when you're feeling worn out. These Slow Cooker Rosemary Honey Beets are a simple and delicious option that won't take much time or effort.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a tasty Mac and Cheese with minimal effort using this easy method. Simply combine the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and enjoy a cheesy dish without any fuss.

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    Slow Cooker Green Beans With Bacon

    Slow Cooker Green Beans.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This simple side dish is full of rich buttery and smoky flavors. With just a few common ingredients from your pantry, it's quick and easy to make.

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    Potato Wedges

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air-fried potato wedges are perfect for those days when you just don't have the energy to cook. Ready in just 15 minutes and seasoned with salt and olive oil, they offer a quick and healthier side dish.

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    Baked Potato Casserole

    Baked potato casseroel.
    Photo Credit: Borrowed Bites.

    This potato bake combines crispy bacon, melted cheese, fresh green onions, and tangy sour cream in a simple casserole. It's an easy way to enjoy a hearty side dish without a lot of fuss.

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    Mexican Roasted Potatoes

    MExican. potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Mexican Potatoes are a simple and delicious side dish that you can make in less than an hour. With zesty Mexican spices and a fresh touch of lime and cilantro, they go great with a bit of sour cream on top.

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    Sweet and Tangy Marinated Cucumbers

    Sweet and Tangy Marinated Cucumbers
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This easy side dish combines tangy and sweet flavors, making it a great match for your favorite main courses. It's easy to prepare in advance and adds a refreshing touch to any dinner.

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    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These crispy potatoes make a perfect side for filling meals. Seasoned simply with salt, they remind you of the Canarian "Papas Arrugadas."

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    Instant Pot Creamed Corn

    Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This side dish is incredibly simple to prepare, making it ideal for those days when you just don't have the energy to spend a lot of time cooking. It's a great option that helps you get a tasty side on the table without any hassle.

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    Air Fryer Baked Potatoes

    An air fryer baked potato.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These air fryer baked potatoes are a great option when you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. With just three ingredients, they come out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them a perfect side dish or a simple meal with your favorite toppings.

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    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Scalloped Potatoes are a simple dish that you can throw together and pop in the oven. With their cheesy goodness, they make a perfect side when you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Leftover Boiled Potato Casserole

    Leftover boiled potato casserole.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This easy casserole makes great use of leftover boiled potatoes, combining them with creamy and cheesy goodness. It's a quick dish to prepare that everyone will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

    Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    These Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls are simple to make and come out buttery, sweet, and soft without any need for proofing. They're perfect for dinner or can be enjoyed with some jam for breakfast.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
      20 Simple Dump-and-Go Dinners for Hectic Weeknights
    • Chicken and rice soup.
      26 Easy Dump-and-Go Recipes Perfect for Winter
    • A spoonful of cheesy tortellini casserole.
      20 Dump-and-Go Recipes That'll Change How You Cook Dinner
    • 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!
      17 Dump-and-Go Dinners That Practically Make Themselves

    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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