• 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

    26 Hearty Dump-and-Bake Spring Dinners That Require Almost Zero Prep

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 27, 2025, updated May 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Spring is the perfect time for fresh and easy meals that don’t require a lot of fuss. These 26 dump-and-bake dinners are not only hearty and satisfying, but they also come together with minimal prep work. Enjoy the season with delicious dishes that let you spend more time relaxing and less time in the kitchen.

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

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

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, and using a sheet pan makes cleanup easy. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley.

    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

    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

    Ground Beef Jambalaya

    Ground beef jambalaya.
    Photo credit: Palatable Pastime.

    Ground Beef Jambalaya is a tasty take on the classic Cajun rice dish, featuring beef and Andouille sausage for extra flavor. This hearty meal is perfect for a filling dinner that’s easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

    Sheet pan chicken thighs.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    This comforting dish is simple to prepare and really satisfying. With just a few pantry staples, you can have a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    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 for an easy and healthy meal. It's perfect for a satisfying dinner that requires minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Tamale Casserole

    Beef Tamale Casserole.
    Photo credit: Jam Jar Kitchen.

    Tamale Pie is a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a boxed cornbread mix, ground beef, and a few items from your pantry, you can whip up a filling meal in no time.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Kielbasa & Veggies

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

    This dinner is simple and all cooked on one sheet pan. Just toss in your favorite sausage and veggies for an easy meal.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    These one pan chicken drumsticks and potatoes are the ultimate easy weeknight dinner for busy nights! Lemony chicken legs and perfectly roasted potatoes are warm and cozy without being too heavy. While they bake, prepare a simple green salad and enjoy a complete, nutritious meal faster than you could order takeout!

    Get the Recipe

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are easy to make and showcase crispy chicken thighs in a flavorful garlic and white wine sauce with tender mushrooms. This is a great option for a weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    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 just a little prep, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a cozy and slightly smoky flavor that everyone will enjoy.

    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 satisfying comfort meal. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a hearty dinner.

    Get the recipe

    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 meal.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This casserole is easy to prepare and requires no boiling. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices.

    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’s a simple dish that comes together in under 40 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

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

    This Chicken Thigh Tray Bake is a simple and tasty meal that brings together juicy chicken and fresh veggies. Everything cooks on one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and really tasty, perfect for a cozy meal. It's the kind of comfort food that everyone loves.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli

    Roasted Gnocchi with Mushrooms & Broccoli
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This vegetarian sheet pan gnocchi is a quick and easy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy a fresh meal featuring crispy gnocchi, garlic mushrooms, and broccoli, all ready in 30 minutes with only one pan to wash.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies for an easy meal. It’s ready in under an hour, perfect for a quick dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Feta and Tomato Pasta

    Baked Feta and Tomato Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    Baked Feta and Tomato Pasta is a delicious dish that combines creamy feta cheese with juicy tomatoes and spices. When you mix it all together with penne pasta, it creates a comforting meal that's perfect for any night.

    Get the Recipe

    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: The Feathered Nester.

    This cheeseburger tater tot casserole brings together crispy potatoes and the flavors of a Big Mac for a fun and satisfying meal. It's a great option for kids and perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. With zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it's a meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

    Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli.
    Photo Credit: In The Kitch.

    This sheet pan beef and broccoli with teriyaki sauce is a simple and satisfying dinner option for busy evenings. Sheet pan meals are popular for their ease and deliciousness, making dinner a breeze.

    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 really delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This casserole combines the flavors of a classic Italian dinner into a simple dish. With juicy chicken, rich marinara sauce, pasta, and gooey mozzarella, it's a great choice for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Cheesy Ham and Macaroni Casserole

    No Boil Cheesy Ham and Macaroni Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    A cheesy ham and macaroni casserole is creamy and satisfying. It’s super easy to prepare and makes a great dinner for a busy weeknight.

    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 perfect for any night.

    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
    • Salmon asparagus pasta salad.
      19 Easy Pasta Salads That Are Perfect for Meal Prep
    • A bowl of cheeseburger soup.
      24 Simple Crockpot Meals That Make Weeknight Dinners a Breeze

    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 drumsticks & potatoes.
      26 Hearty Dump-and-Bake Spring Dinners That Require Almost Zero Prep

    • Potato soup with ham.
      21 Slow Cooker Dinners Your Family Will Love

    • Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
      23 Dump-And-Bake Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    • Baked gnocchi with veggies.
      23 Wholesome Veggie Loaded Casseroles That Make Meal Prep a Breeze

    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