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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Simple Dinners You Can Just Dump, Bake and Devour

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on April 29, 2025, updated May 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    After a long day, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. These 23 simple dinners are perfect for those busy nights when you just want to dump everything in a dish, pop it in the oven, and relax. With minimal prep and cleanup, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the hassle.

    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.

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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

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This simple meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a tasty one-pan meal. Just layer everything in a dish and let the oven handle the cooking.

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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 packed with deliciousness and come with plenty of veggies, making it a tasty and healthy dinner option. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something easy that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a quick and easy dinner that you can prepare with very little effort. Just throw everything on a sheet pan and let it bake for a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Gnocchi Sheet Pan

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

    This sheet pan dinner is a great meal for summer. It's an easy and tasty way to feed a large family with little effort.

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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

    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

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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!

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are quick and tasty, all made in one pot in just 30 minutes. They’re great for busy nights when you want something easy to prepare and clean up.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole is filled with creamy chicken, mixed vegetables, and topped with crispy tater tots. It's perfect for busy nights, and you can either freeze it for later or bake it right away to enjoy a meal that everyone will like.

    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 everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Salmon with Black Rice

    Salmon with black rice.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Salmon and black rice go really well together and you'll want to make this dish again and again. It's a simple meal that's satisfying and full of flavor.

    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.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    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 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

    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 everything roast in the oven. The sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce brings together cubed sweet potatoes, crunchy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon for a tasty meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is easy to make in the oven. It features shrimp and Creole spiced andouille sausages for a delicious meal.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • John Wayne casserole.
      24 Dump-And-Cook Ground Beef Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

    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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