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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    24 Family-Friendly Dump-and-Bake Meals That Save You Time and Effort

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 4, 2025, updated September 4, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Finding time to cook can be a challenge, especially for busy families. These 24 dump-and-bake meals are perfect for those hectic days when you want a home-cooked dinner without the fuss. Just toss the ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and enjoy a delicious meal with minimal effort.

    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This Chicken and Potatoes one-pan meal is great for a laid-back Sunday dinner or a fast weeknight option. It combines juicy roasted chicken, soft potatoes, roasted garlic, and mushrooms all cooked on one sheet pan, which makes cleaning up simple. Plus, it’s ready in just 15 minutes.

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    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

    Sheet pan kielbasa and veggies.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This sheet pan dinner is a straightforward meal that anyone can whip up. You can easily personalize it by choosing your favorite sausage and vegetables. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    A chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This chicken fajita casserole is an easy one-pan meal that brings the flavors of homemade comfort food right to your table. It's a satisfying dish that combines chicken, rice, and spices for a hearty dinner. Plus, it tastes great the next day, making it perfect for lunch or dinner leftovers.

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    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This baked spaghetti is a tasty take on the classic dish, mixing cheesy noodles with a savory meat sauce and a generous layer of melted cheese on top. It's a filling meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole is a simple and satisfying one-pan meal that brings together chicken, potatoes, broccoli, bacon, and cheese. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. Your family will enjoy this tasty dinner that combines all the flavors they love.

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    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    This veggie-packed rigatoni al forno is a satisfying and easy dinner option that everyone will love. It combines a comforting mix of flavors and textures, making it both delicious and nutritious. Perfect for busy nights, this dish comes together with minimal effort, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This pesto pasta bake is creamy and cheesy, and it all comes together in one pan with minimal effort. It's a delicious pasta dish that you can have on the table in under an hour, similar to what you'd find at a nice restaurant.

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    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is a family favorite, packed with cheesy goodness and full of flavor. It's ideal for a cozy meal when everyone can gather around the table. Simple to prepare, it brings comfort and satisfaction to any dinner.

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    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

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

    Easy pizza baked beans are perfect for a quick and comforting dinner on busy nights. Simply combine canned beans with pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, and pop it in the oven. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This dish combines delicious bacon, hearty potatoes, and gooey cheese all in one pan. It's an easy option that works well for a special meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is an easy dish that cooks all in the oven, including the pasta. It uses frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your favorite marinara sauce. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, using canned tuna, mozzarella cheese, and a few easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Everyone in the family will enjoy this comforting meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Ravioli Lasagna

    Easy Mexican Ravioli Lasagna
    Photo Credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This Mexican Lasagna is an easy dish that uses ravioli to create delicious layers without any need to thaw them. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just layer the ingredients and pop it in the oven for a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thighs and vegetables.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken tray bake is perfect for a quick family dinner when you're short on time. Simply toss chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots together with a flavorful marinade, and let the oven do the work. In less than 45 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal ready to enjoy.

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    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

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

    Oven-baked chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan are a simple and tasty dinner choice that cuts down on cleanup. This dish features delicious flavors like garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley, making it a hit with everyone at the table. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

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

    This dish brings together cheesy chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen. Everyone in the family will enjoy this satisfying combination.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    Spinach chicken artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    Spinach artichoke chicken casserole is a simple dish that combines rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables. It comes together quickly and is ready in less than an hour. This meal is perfect for busy evenings when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan with chicken and sweet potatoes.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This dish is easy to prepare with everyday ingredients you likely have on hand. It comes together quickly and is ready in just half an hour, making it perfect for a busy evening. Everyone in the family will enjoy it, and you won't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Mac and Cheese is easy to make and packed with flavor. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a creamy and cheesy dish without the fuss of boiling pasta or making a sauce from scratch. Using a mix of Cheddar and Gruyere, this one-pan meal is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This quick and easy pizza pasta bake is ideal for busy evenings. You can throw everything together in one pan and bake it without having to cook the pasta first. It's loaded with cheesy flavor and has that classic pizza taste that everyone in the family will love.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese is a quick way to enjoy a hearty pasta sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. It’s filled with the classic flavors you love, all made with easy-to-find ingredients. Perfect for busy nights, this dish brings comfort food to your table without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This vegan pasta bake is creamy and loaded with vegetables. There's no need to boil anything, making it easy to prepare. Plus, it's gluten-free, so it works for a variety of diets.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is loaded with chicken and broccoli, creating a filling meal that’s sure to leave you with some leftovers. It’s perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Everyone in the family will enjoy this simple and delicious option.

    Get the recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is super easy to prepare with ingredients you likely have on hand, and it’s tasty enough to become a family favorite. You can whip it up without turning on your oven by using a slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      23 Easy Dinner Ideas That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine

    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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