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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Dump-And-Bake Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 26, 2025, updated April 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When you're feeling worn out and just can't face the kitchen, dump-and-bake dinners are a lifesaver. These simple recipes let you toss everything into a dish and let the oven do the work, making dinner a breeze. With 23 easy options, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the fuss.

    Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread

    Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread
    Photo Credit: Style and Grace.

    Dinner can be ready in just 20 minutes with only a few ingredients. These Easy Cheesy Beans are baked in tasty marinara sauce and topped with a delicious layer of melted mozzarella.

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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. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, it's a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Shake and Bake Chicken

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

    Shake and Bake Chicken is a quick and easy dinner featuring juicy baked chicken with a crispy homemade coating. Once you try this, you'll forget all about the store-bought versions.

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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 is always a win. This Dijon Mustard Dill Chicken is great for dinner and works well for meal prep, so you can enjoy it in sandwiches, salads, or grain bowls all week.

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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 Garlic Parmesan Chicken

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

    This chicken dish is great for a quick weeknight meal, and it's juicy and packed with flavor. It's simple to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

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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 leftovers. It's a straightforward option for a satisfying dinner.

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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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    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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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is all about being simple and satisfying. It's a great option for a cozy meal that everyone will enjoy.

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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 only take 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all in one, this is a simple dinner that comes together quickly, and using frozen cod helps keep the fish from overcooking.

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    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

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

    This dish features tender chicken baked alongside butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli, all on one pan. It's a healthy and tasty meal that's easy to prepare.

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    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a healthy and tasty option that you can whip up quickly with this simple recipe. Just throw everything together and bake it for a satisfying meal.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

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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’s delicious.

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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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    Queso Chicken and Rice

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

    Queso Chicken and Rice is a delicious one-pan meal that's easy to prepare. With tender chicken, creamy queso sauce, and fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner.

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    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 meal that pairs well with crusty bread.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for a cozy dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta is baked in the oven and topped with a tasty cashew "Parmesan" sauce. It's a simple and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. With a mix of two cheeses, a bit of tang from Gorgonzola, and a nice crunch from walnuts, it comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a great comfort food option. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

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

    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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