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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Are Perfect for Meal Prep

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 8, 2025, updated March 28, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Dump-and-bake dinners are a game changer for busy nights. These simple recipes require minimal prep and cleanup, making them perfect for meal prep. Just toss everything together in one dish, pop it in the oven, and enjoy a hearty meal with little effort.

    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!

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    Baked Chicken & Potatoes

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

    This baked chicken and potatoes dish is a simple one-pan meal with juicy chicken in a flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce, crispy potatoes, and tasty broccoli. It's a great weeknight dinner that doesn't take much work and is sure to please everyone.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake is simple to prepare and comes together in just a few minutes. It uses common pantry items like spaghetti sauce, dried spices, boxed noodles, and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas into an easy baked dinner. It uses protein-rich black beans and quinoa, and everything is mixed right in the baking dish without any pre-cooking.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are full of flavor and packed with vegetables, making it a tasty low-carb dinner that everyone will love. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a family meal.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, and using a sheet pan means less cleanup. This recipe features the flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley.

    Get the recipe

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy buttery cracker crumbs. This simple dinner can be ready in no time with very little effort.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple is packed with a great mix of spicy and sweet flavors that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to make in just one pan and includes plenty of healthy vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This comforting Southern dish is packed with melty cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors. It's an easy casserole that requires very little work, perfect for a cozy meal.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This easy one-pan dinner is both simple and delicious. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, this vegetarian casserole is a comforting meal you'll want to make often.

    Get the recipe

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    This dish features tender chicken paired with butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli, all baked together on a single pan. It's a simple and healthy meal that's perfect for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a healthy and tasty option that you can whip up with minimal effort. This simple dump-and-bake recipe makes it easy to enjoy a satisfying meal.

    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 comforting meal that doesn't require much effort.

    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 BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken dish is a great choice for a weeknight meal. Juicy chicken thighs are covered in a tasty glaze that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip boiling the pasta, and as it bakes, a creamy sauce comes together that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare, combining everything in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. With colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, it’s a flexible meal that you can easily customize.

    Get the recipe

    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 easy to prepare since everything is mixed and baked in one dish. It's a great option for busy days when you want a simple meal.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Enjoy all of the goodness of baked ziti with a fraction of the prep work! You don't have to boil the noodles or brown the meat, just layer it up and bake it to perfection.

    Get the recipe

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

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

    This casserole is quick and simple to prepare. With tangy BBQ sauce, tender chicken, smoky bacon, and rich Monterey Jack cheese, it’s a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

    Sheet pan sausage and veggies.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This sheet pan dinner is super easy and tasty. With garlic and herbs, everything cooks up nicely in the oven and is ready in under 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Steak pasta casserole.
      21 Satisfying Comfort Foods for Every Mood
    • 24 Best Dinner Casseroles We’re Making All Summer Long
    • Chicken drumsticks & potatoes.
      26 Hearty Dump-and-Bake Spring Dinners That Require Almost Zero Prep
    • Salmon asparagus pasta salad.
      19 Easy Pasta Salads That Are Perfect for Meal Prep

    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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