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    Home » Quick & Easy Meals » Dump and Bake Recipes

    28 Hearty Dump-and-Bake Summer Dinners With Almost Zero Prep

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated June 24, 2026 · Published August 6, 2026 · 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.

    4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna

    A spoonful of lazy lasagna being lifted out of a baking dish with an amazing cheese pull.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This Lazy Lasagna is ready in just 35 minutes with 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on work! No need to boil pasta, make a ricotta layer or brown meat... just layer ravioli with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, top with some parmesan cheese and bake!

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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!

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    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.

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    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.

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    Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake

    Ricotta spinach casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this delicious tortellini bake in under 30 minutes, with a few simple steps. It's loaded with two types of cheese and lots of spinach for an indulgent dinner that's still full of nutrients. Perfect for weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick meal!

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

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    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.

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    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.

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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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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 really delicious.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    More Dump and Bake Recipes

    • A scoop of no baked ziti.
      21 Dump-and-Go Comfort Classics With Almost Zero Prep
    • Cheeseburger soup.
      18 Dump-and-Go Ground Beef Meals We Can't Stop Making
    • Chicken thigh tray bake.
      24 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Save You Real Time
    • Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
      23 Dump-And-Bake Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to 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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