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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 8, 2025, updated April 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Weeknight dinners can often feel like a chore, but dump-and-bake recipes are here to change that. These 22 easy meals require minimal prep and cleanup, making them perfect for busy evenings. Just toss your ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and enjoy a delicious dinner with little effort.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola is a tasty weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes using only five ingredients. It's a simple and satisfying meal that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

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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 plenty of sauce all cooked together.

    Get the recipe

    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’s delicious.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines juicy chicken, zesty spices, and gooey cheese all in one pan. With easy prep and a delicious mix of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please everyone at the table.

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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.

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    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are a real help on busy nights, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and requires almost no cleanup. With seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted veggies, it’s perfect for cozy dinners when you want something filling without much effort.

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    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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    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 satisfying low-carb dinner that everyone will love. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and delicious.

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    Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken

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

    An easy chicken dish with just four ingredients can really simplify your weeknight meals. This Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken is great for dinner and works well for meal prep, as you can use it in sandwiches, salads, or grain bowls all week long.

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    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 any night of the week.

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    Farmer's Breakfast Casserole

    Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole.
    Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

    This casserole can be prepared the night before, so your morning is a breeze. It's filling and delicious, making it a great choice for brunch.

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    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and really simple to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it’s baked to perfection for a delicious dinner any night.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to prepare. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

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    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This No-Boil Lasagna takes just 10 minutes to prep (seriously!) and doesn't require you to boil the noodles before baking!

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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 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.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is made in one dish, so there's no need to pre-cook anything. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s incredibly cheesy and simple to prepare.

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    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    This chicken dish is super easy to make with just 6 simple ingredients. It features boneless chicken breasts smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce, baked to juicy perfection, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

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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 easy to prepare and full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

    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 baked chicken covered in a crunchy homemade seasoning. Once you try this, you'll forget about the store-bought versions.

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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 packed with flavor. It's an easy option that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    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 uses canned soups and tender chicken thighs for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

    Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
    Photo Credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

    This salmon dinner is super simple and ready in under 10 minutes. It's full of flavor from honey and Dijon mustard, making it a great choice for a quick weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
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      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day
    • Cheesburger sliders.
      18 Cheap Ground Beef Recipes That Are Perfect for Spring
    • Tortilla soup.
      21 Easy Crockpot Chicken Dinners for Busy Nights

    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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