• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Dump-And-Bake Dinners That Will Transform Your Weeknight Meals

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 6, 2025, updated April 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Busy weeknights can make dinner time a challenge, but dump-and-bake meals are here to help. These simple recipes allow you to toss everything into a dish and let the oven do the work, saving you time and effort. With 25 easy options to choose from, you can enjoy a variety of flavors and ingredients without the hassle of complicated cooking.

    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.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is an easy meal full of flavor. Juicy chicken thighs and colorful vegetables cook together on one pan, so cleanup is quick and simple.

    Get the Recipe

    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

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola is a quick and easy dinner that you can have ready in under 30 minutes using just five ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    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

    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

    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

    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 Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This dinner is easy to prepare and everything cooks on one sheet pan. Feel free to mix and match your favorite sausage and vegetables!

    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

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Veggies.
    Photo Credit The Feathered Nester.

    This dish features tender chicken thighs and fresh vegetables all cooked together on one pan. It's a healthy and easy meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    Get the Recipe

    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

    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

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic dish that everyone loves. With well-seasoned chicken and perfectly cooked rice, dinner is simple and satisfying.

    Get the recipe

    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

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a fast and simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. Using a sheet pan means you can prepare it with minimal effort and no need to stir.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Tortellini

    20 Minute Baked Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Cheesy Tortellini Bake is quick and easy, taking just about 20 minutes to prepare with fewer than 10 ingredients. Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the recipe

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake

    Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake is a quick and easy dish that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

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

    This salmon dish is healthy and quick to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it’s baked to perfection for a juicy and flaky meal that’s great for any night.

    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

    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

    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

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

    This chicken traybake is a simple meal that combines everything in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. With colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, it’s easy to customize to your liking.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to make and packed with flavor, coming out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They're covered in garlic and herbs, making this a delicious option for dinner.

    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

    More Recipe Roundups

    • 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
    • Baked ratatouille.
      18 Memorial Day Casseroles That Are a Guaranteed Hit
    • 25 Crowd-Pleasing Recipes Perfect for Your Memorial Day Potluck

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef

    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach

    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]

    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Chicken pesto pasta salad.
      18 Delicious Pasta Salads That Are Perfect for Summer Picnics

    • Cabbage roll casserole.
      18 Cheap Beef Dinners You Can Just Dump, Bake and Devour

    • A spoonful of seafood pasta bake.
      18 Easy Summer Casseroles to Feed a Crowd

    • A bowl of chili.
      26 Easy Crockpot Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB