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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Delicious Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Save You Time

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 3, 2025, updated May 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Dump-and-bake dinners are a lifesaver for busy nights, allowing you to whip up a meal with minimal effort. Just toss your ingredients into a dish, pop it in the oven, and let it do the work while you relax. Here are 22 easy recipes that will help you serve up a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

    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 and packed with flavor. Using common pantry ingredients, it comes together in just 30 minutes.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is simple to make and packed with cheese, all in one pan. It takes less than an hour to prepare and has a delicious flavor that rivals what you'd find at a restaurant.

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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.

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    Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.
    Photo Credit: The Family Food Kitchen.

    This Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Sheet Pan dinner is a quick and tasty option that can be ready in just 30 minutes. Everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze, and it's gluten free and lower in carbs.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare and ready in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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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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    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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    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This dish features a tender turkey breast roasted with garlic and butter, served on a bed of vibrant low-carb vegetables. It's a simple, one-pan meal that's packed with protein and perfect for a quick dinner.

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    Chicken Parmesan

    Chicken Parmesan.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Easy Chicken Parmesan features tender baked chicken topped with rich red sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This is a great weeknight dinner that comes together in about an hour.

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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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    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 Drumsticks & Potatoes

    Baked drumsticks.
    Photo credit: Go Healthy Ever After.

    Sheet pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are simple, healthy, and really tasty. The lemon garlic seasoning adds great flavor, making this a quick dinner option for busy weeknights.

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    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and feature crispy, golden chicken thighs cooked in a tasty garlic and white wine sauce with juicy mushrooms. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

    Baked chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This one-pan meal combines juicy chicken with crispy potatoes and tasty broccoli, all cooked in a flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce. It's a simple and satisfying dinner option that doesn't require much work or cleanup.

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    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Cheesy Mexican Chicken and Rice is a flavorful dish that brings together spices, juicy chicken, and melted cheese. This casserole is packed with deliciousness that everyone in the family will love!

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and perfect for a busy night. With zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it's a dish that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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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 whip up in just 40 minutes, with most of that time spent letting it cook in the oven. The sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce pairs perfectly with cubed sweet potatoes, crunchy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon, making it a satisfying meal for the whole family.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

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

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables is a simple way to prepare a complete meal that’s both healthy and satisfying. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious.

    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 sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    Pizza baked beans are a great option for busy weeknights. Just combine some canned beans with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings, then bake for a quick and comforting dinner that pairs well with crusty bread, all in just 30 minutes.

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    Hot Honey Garlic Chicken

    Hot Honey Garlic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Garlic All Day.

    Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy flavor to this Hot Honey Garlic Chicken dish. It can be prepared easily in either an air fryer or an oven.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      Simplify Summer: 18 Crockpot Dinners You Can Set and Forget
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      18 Southern Summer Recipes That Will Make You Forget the Heat
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      25 Simple Ground Beef Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Think

    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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