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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Dump-and-Bake Dinners for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 13, 2025, updated April 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make dinner time feel like a challenge, but dump-and-bake meals are here to help. These simple recipes allow you to toss everything into a dish and let the oven do the work, saving you time and effort. With 21 easy options to choose from, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the fuss.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables is a simple and tasty meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. A big sheet pan loaded with your favorite veggies and sausages is just what you need for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This easy meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe

    Dutch Oven Lasagna

    Dutch Oven Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Dutch Oven Lasagna is a delicious twist on your favorite lasagna, cooked right in a cast iron Dutch oven or camp oven. It's an easy way to enjoy a hearty meal without much effort.

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This no-boil chicken pasta bake simplifies dinner time with minimal prep. It’s a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice is a tasty combination that you'll want to enjoy again and again. It's a simple meal that fits perfectly into your weeknight routine.

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    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and only takes a few minutes to put together. It uses common ingredients like store-bought spaghetti sauce, dried spices, boxed noodles, and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

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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 easy to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is made in one dish, so there's no need to pre-cook anything. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s incredibly cheesy and simple to prepare.

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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’s delicious.

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    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

    Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This dish features crispy, juicy chicken thighs that are cooked to perfection. With just four simple ingredients, you can whip this up easily.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is an easy and tasty meal. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables cook together on one pan, so cleanup is quick and simple.

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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 incredibly 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.

    Get the recipe

    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 plenty of sauce all cooked together.

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    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This easy casserole combines classic Italian flavors into a hearty meal. With tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, pasta, and gooey mozzarella, it's a great choice for any weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a simple and comforting dish perfect for any weeknight. With just rice, broccoli, and rotisserie chicken topped with cheddar cheese, it’s an easy one-pan meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp are quick to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors, all made in just one pan in 30 minutes or less. Pair it with coconut rice for a fun, tropical dinner any night.

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    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. This simple dinner can be ready in no time with very little effort.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

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

    This dinner is quick, healthy, and easy to prepare all on one sheet pan. With its crispy coating and zesty flavors, it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.

    Get the recipe

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This comforting dish is a Southern favorite that brings together melty cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors. It's an easy casserole that requires little effort, perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    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 less than an hour.

    Get the recipe

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      20 Set It and Forget It Vegetable Forward Dishes We’re Making All Summer Long

    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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