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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Effortless Dump-and-Bake Meals for Busy Families

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 23, 2025, updated March 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy families often struggle to find time to prepare tasty meals, but dump-and-bake recipes can make dinner a breeze. These simple meals require minimal prep and cleanup, allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones. Here are 21 easy dump-and-bake meals that will satisfy everyone at the table without the hassle.

    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This casserole combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup, all topped with buttery Ritz crackers. It's a simple and satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks

    Healthy Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    This healthy chicken drumsticks recipe is a simple sheet pan dinner that delivers a tasty meal in about 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dish is great for a simple weeknight meal, and it's juicy and tender with plenty of flavor. It's an easy option that doesn't require much work.

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    Mediterranean Veggie Casserole

    Veggie casserole.
    Photo credit: The Fiery Vegetarian.

    This casserole is quick to prepare and goes straight into the oven. You'll end up with soft vegetables in a flavorful garlic sauce.

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    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is super simple to prepare and everything cooks together in one dish. It's a great option for busy days when you want a quick meal.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce for a simple one-pan dinner. Just layer the ingredients in a casserole dish and let the oven handle the cooking.

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    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This creamy vegan pasta bake is simple to prepare and loaded with veggies. It's delicious whether served hot or cold!

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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 definitely provide some leftovers. It's a simple option for a satisfying dinner.

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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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    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Fantabulosity.

    This chicken and rice dish is a classic family favorite that's simple to prepare in the oven. It combines tender chicken thighs with canned soups for a comforting meal.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This recipe is perfect for gnocchi lovers. The gnocchi is tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven, creating a crispy outside while staying soft and tender inside.

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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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    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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    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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    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

    Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken.
    Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

    This chicken dish is quick to prepare and can be ready in under 30 minutes. It's a flavorful meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
    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.

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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 from start to finish with just 5 minutes of prep. Using store-bought cheese ravioli, it’s a simple dinner option that works well even on the busiest nights and can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer.

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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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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

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

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple meal packed with flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and vibrant veggies roast together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is a cozy dish that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Pesto Chicken

    Pesto Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Pesto Chicken is a simple dish featuring tender chicken breasts and basil pesto, whether you make it yourself or buy it. In just 30 minutes, you can have a healthy and tasty dinner ready to enjoy with your favorite sides.

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      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game

    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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