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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    26 Stupid Simple Dinners You Can Just Dump, Bake and Devour

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 29, 2025, updated April 22, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Sometimes, you just want a simple dinner that doesn't require a lot of fuss. These 26 easy recipes let you dump everything into a dish, bake it, and enjoy a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy nights, these dinners are all about convenience and flavor.

    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.

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    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

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

    Baked Harissa Chicken Thighs deliver big flavors with minimal effort. This easy sheet pan dinner combines spicy harissa paste, zesty lemon, and sweet honey with tender chicken, onions, and sweet potatoes, making it a perfect choice for a simple weeknight meal.

    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 Rice Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a great choice for a comforting meal. It combines rice, broccoli, and rotisserie chicken, all topped with cheddar cheese for an easy one-pan dish.

    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

    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This easy casserole combines classic Italian flavors into a hearty meal. Packed with tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, pasta, and gooey mozzarella, it's a great choice for any night.

    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.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

    A bowl of Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Dancing Through the Rain.

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables is a quick and tasty dinner that you can whip up in under thirty minutes. Packed with mushrooms, leeks, kale, and other veggies, this one-pan meal is both easy to prepare and satisfying.

    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 make and doesn't require boiling anything. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Oven Baked Pork Chops

    Ranch Oven Baked Pork Chops.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Ranch Oven Baked Pork Chops are a tasty and straightforward dish that packs a lot of flavor. This recipe is a favorite because it uses simple ingredients and comes together in just a few easy steps.

    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

    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

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy, buttery cracker crumbs. This simple dinner is quick to prepare and requires very little effort.

    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.

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    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp with Coconut Rice
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Shrimp are quick to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors, all made in one pan in under 30 minutes. Pair it with coconut rice for a fun and tropical dinner any night.

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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 and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy ingredients. It's a simple dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for a cozy dinner.

    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

    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

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

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

    This recipe is a comforting and satisfying meal that's simple to prepare. With just a few pantry staples, you can have it ready in 30 minutes.

    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

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This chicken and rice casserole is the perfect comfort food that is both delicious and easy to make.

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    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roasted Greek Chicken with Garlic Potatoes is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. This one-pan dish is quick to prepare and leaves you with less mess to clean up.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are perfect for busy nights, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is no exception. With simple prep, delicious flavors, and minimal cleanup, it combines seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted veggies for a satisfying dinner.

    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 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

    More Recipe Roundups

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      20 Vegetarian Casseroles to Make When You’re Craving Comfort Food
    • Beef barley stew.
      Set It and Forget It: 18 Slow Cooker Meals for the Ultimate Lazy Day
    • Chickpea salad.
      19 Delicious Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Any Gathering
    • Ribs.
      21 Slow Cooker Meals That Are Perfect for Busy Families

    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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