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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Easy Dump-and-Bake Meals for Busy Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 2, 2025, updated February 28, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook can be a challenge for busy families, but dump-and-bake meals make it easy to put dinner on the table with minimal effort. These 21 simple recipes require little prep and can be tossed together in one dish, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you're in the mood for pasta, casseroles, or even seafood, there's something here for everyone.

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy nights when you need something quick and easy. You can throw everything together in the pan without cooking the pasta first, and it’s loaded with cheesy pizza goodness that everyone will enjoy.

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    Meatball Casserole

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

    This Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty one-pan dish that combines juicy meatballs and pasta, all baked together in a creamy marinara sauce with cheese. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    The Enchilada Bake is simple to put together with ingredients you probably already have at home, and it's delicious enough to be a family favorite. You won't even need to use your oven, as this dish cooks perfectly in your slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    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 is a simple dinner that keeps everything in one place.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

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

    This comforting and filling dish is simple to prepare using ingredients you probably already have at home. It comes together quickly, cooking in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    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

    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 Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan dinner that requires no chopping. With frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, it’s a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice go really well together and you'll want to make this dish again and again. It's a simple meal that's perfect for any night.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    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 comes together with minimal effort.

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    Maple Mustard Salmon

    Maple Mustard Salmon - Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Maple mustard salmon is a super easy dinner that you can have ready in about 40 minutes, with most of that time just letting it roast in the oven. The sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce brings together cubed sweet potatoes, crunchy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon for a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a quick and healthy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in 30 minutes, and you'll only need to clean one pan afterwards!

    Get the recipe

    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta bakes right in the oven and is finished off with a tasty cashew "Parmesan" sauce. It's a simple and satisfying meal that comes together easily.

    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 that you can prepare quickly and with little effort. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to prepare and can be made in one pot in just 30 minutes, which makes cleaning up easy. They are great for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil chicken pasta bake. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.

    Get the recipe

    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 just layer the ingredients without needing to thaw the ravioli first.

    Get the recipe

    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. Pair them with coconut rice for a fun, tropical dinner any night.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe is a simple, one-pan meal that uses canned soups and pre-made rice mixes. It's great for busy weeknights or when you want a comforting dish without much effort.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring

    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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