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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Simple Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Are Perfect for Meal Prep

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 11, 2025, updated March 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Preparing dinner can be a hassle, especially on busy nights. These 21 simple dump-and-bake recipes make it easy to whip up a satisfying meal with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and enjoy a delicious dinner without the fuss.

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Chicken with Potatoes is packed with fresh, vibrant flavors that everyone will enjoy. You can get it ready a day or two in advance, then just bake it in the oven when it's time for dinner.

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    Queso Chicken and Rice

    Queso Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Foodie and Wine.

    Queso Chicken and Rice is a simple one-pan meal that's creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. With tender chicken, rich queso sauce, and fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner without much work.

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    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken

    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    An easy chicken dish with just 4 ingredients is perfect for a quick meal. This Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken is great for dinner and works well in sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls throughout the week.

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    Baked Crack Chicken

    Baked Crack Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This dish features tender chicken breasts covered in a tasty mix of bacon, cheese, and ranch seasoning. It's baked until it's golden and bubbly, making it a satisfying meal.

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    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    The Enchilada Bake is simple to make 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 is made in a slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and entirely plant-based. It's perfect for a quick and easy meal that everyone will enjoy.

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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 Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots are simple to prepare and full of flavor. The chicken turns out juicy with a nice crispy skin, while the roasted veggies become sweet and delicious.

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    Baked Tortellini

    20 Minute Baked Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    The Cheesy Tortellini Bake is quick to prepare, taking just about 20 minutes and using fewer than 10 ingredients. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Sheet Pan Caprese Gnocchi

    Caprese gnocchi on a sheet pan.
    Photo Credit: The Savory Cipolla.

    This sheet pan dinner is a great summer meal that’s easy to prepare. It’s a simple and tasty option for feeding a large family without putting in much effort.

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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 dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta, all baked together in a creamy marinara sauce with cheese. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Turkish Chicken and Potatoes

    Turkish Chicken and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Give Recipe.

    This baked Turkish chicken and potatoes dish is a simple and tasty option for dinner. With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    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 one pan without cooking the pasta first, and it’s loaded with cheesy pizza goodness that everyone will enjoy.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    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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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits/

    This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes recipe is simple and quick to prepare. With just 5 minutes of prep, everything cooks together on one pan for a delicious meal.

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    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This easy baked ravioli casserole takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and requires just 5 minutes of prep time because you don’t need to boil the ravioli first! Store-bought refrigerated cheese ravioli makes this simple weeknight dinner a reality even on the busiest of nights! It can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen.

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    Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

    Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Sweet & Savory Meals.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are juicy and crispy, making them a great choice for dinner. With a tasty homemade creamy mustard sauce, this dish is sure to become a favorite.

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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.

    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 cleanup easy. They are great for busy nights when you want a tasty meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Shake and Bake Chicken

    Shake and Bake Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Shake and Bake Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner featuring juicy chicken covered in a crunchy homemade seasoning. Once you try this, you’ll forget about the store-bought versions.

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    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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