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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    21 Dump-and-Go Dinners That Make Weeknights Feel Easy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 2, 2025 · Published December 10, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but with these simple dump-and-go recipes, you can make mealtime a breeze. Just toss your ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and let the magic happen. These dishes are not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor, making them perfect for busy evenings.

    Bean & Pasta Casserole

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

    This vegetarian casserole features hearty white beans, filling pasta, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a comforting meal. It's a healthy and satisfying option for dinner.

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    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked ravioli casserole is quick to prepare, taking only about 20 minutes total with just 5 minutes of prep time since there's no need to boil the ravioli. Using store-bought cheese ravioli makes it a perfect option for busy weeknights, and you can even make it ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer.

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    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Using store-bought teriyaki sauce or making your own, this salmon recipe is simple and satisfying. It's a great option for a quick and tasty dinner.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly cheesy and can be made in just one dish without any pre-cooking. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's a simple and comforting meal that's hard to beat.

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    Pesto Salmon

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

    Pesto Salmon is ready in just 15 minutes and is a great option for busy weeknights. With a simple mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is packed with flavor and sure to please everyone.

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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 really delicious.

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    Gruyere Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just a few minutes of prep and about 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a cheesy and flavorful dish made with Cheddar and Gruyere, all in one pan.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

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

    This salmon dish is incredibly simple, using only three ingredients. It's a quick and easy way to enjoy a tasty meal.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

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

    This tuna pasta bake is rich and tasty, combining canned tuna with mozzarella cheese and easy-to-find ingredients. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Leftover Boiled Potato Casserole

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

    Leftover boiled potatoes can be transformed into a tasty casserole that everyone will love. This dish is creamy, cheesy, and super simple to prepare.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and can be ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and spinach, it's a tasty and easy dinner option for a busy weeknight.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta in a creamy marinara sauce with melted cheese. It's perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner during the week.

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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 plenty of sauce all cooked together.

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    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This simple Mexican Lasagna uses ravioli to create tasty layers. It's perfect for busy nights because you can layer the ravioli straight from the freezer.

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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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    French Fry Casserole

    Leftover french fries casserole topped with sour cream.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Leftover french fries can be transformed into a tasty casserole that everyone will love. It's cheesy, a bit spicy, and super simple to whip up, making it a great side dish for chicken, beef, or any protein.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is quick to prepare and then goes right into the oven. You'll end up with soft veggies in a flavorful, garlicky sauce.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for dinner and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Baked prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a simple dish that you can prepare quickly and with little effort. It's perfect for a tasty dinner that doesn't take much time to make.

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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 and pasta packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. It's simple to prepare, making it perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    Sausage Tray Bake

    Sausage tray bake.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Tranquility.

    This sausage tray bake is packed with flavor and is simple to prepare in just one pan. It's filled with vegetables, potatoes, and gravy for a hearty meal.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • Chicken tikka masala.
      28 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners for Exhausted Cooks
    • A spoonful of chicken fajita casserole.
      26 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Simplify Your Life
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      21 Dump-and-Bake Chicken Recipes Every Busy Cook Needs
    • Chicken tikka masala.
      20 Dump-and-Go Dinners So Easy You’ll Want Them Every Night

    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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