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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Dump-and-Bake Recipes Perfect for Large Gatherings

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 30, 2025, updated May 15, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When hosting a large gathering, finding easy and delicious recipes can make all the difference. Dump-and-bake recipes are perfect for this, as they require minimal prep and cleanup, allowing you to spend more time with your guests. Here are 28 simple dishes that will satisfy a crowd without keeping you in the kitchen for hours. Want to serve more people? Just double or triple the recipe! Keep in mind you might need to adjust the cook time, or use multiple dishes.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines tender chicken, zesty spices, and gooey melted cheese. With just one pan and little prep, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a comforting, smoky flavor that everyone will enjoy.

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    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 potlucks or a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves gnocchi. Roasting it in the oven with olive oil gives it a crispy outside while keeping it soft and tender inside.

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    Baked Tilapia

    Baked tilapia.
    Photo credit: Organically Addison.

    This baked tilapia is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. It only takes 15 minutes to get it ready, making it a great option for a quick meal.

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    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 soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone.

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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. Pair them with coconut rice for a fun, tropical dinner any night.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

    Chicken thigh tray bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    This chicken thigh tray bake is easy to prepare and great for a quick family dinner, taking less than 45 minutes from start to finish. Just toss chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and carrots together in a tasty marinade and roast them.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    A spoonful of Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This casserole is filled with creamy chicken, mixed vegetables, and topped with crispy tater tots. It's easy to prepare ahead of time and freeze, or you can bake it right away for a dish that everyone will enjoy.

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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 satisfy everyone. It's perfect for serving a crowd and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a great comfort food option. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner.

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    One Pan Chicken & Potatoes

    Chicken and potatoes.
    Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

    This chicken and potatoes dish combines juicy bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks with tender potatoes, roasted garlic, and mushrooms, all cooked together on a single sheet pan. It’s a simple meal that requires just 15 minutes of prep before it goes into the oven, making cleanup a breeze.

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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. It's a simple and healthy meal that's great for serving a crowd.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage & Veggies

    Gnocchi sheet bake.
    Photo credit: Living Lou.

    Sheet pan oven-baked gnocchi with sausage and vegetables is a simple meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes using only one pan. This dish is perfect for serving a crowd without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that’s delicious.

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    Baked BBQ Chicken

    Baked BBQ Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken dish is a simple option for a weeknight meal. Juicy chicken thighs are covered in a tasty glaze that everyone will enjoy.

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    Chicken Thigh Tray Bake

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

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

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    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cookin' Chicks.

    Melt in your Mouth Chicken is an easy dish that uses just 6 simple ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked until they're juicy and tender, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

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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 hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for feeding a crowd without putting in too much effort.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole

    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cooking with Carlee.

    This no-boil rigatoni and meatball casserole is a simple way to get dinner ready without much effort. It’s a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something simple and delicious. With just a little chopping to begin, you can enjoy a tasty meal of chicken, veggies, and plenty of sauce all cooked together in one pan.

    Get the recipe

    Salsa Chicken

    Salsa Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Salsa Chicken is a simple and healthy dish that’s full of flavor. It’s an easy dinner option that requires very little time and effort, making it perfect for serving a group.

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    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This side dish is full of flavor with layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. It's an easy recipe that will impress everyone at your gathering.

    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 simple and tasty dish that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for gatherings and doesn't require much effort to prepare.

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    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 dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and comes together quickly with minimal effort.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Vegetables is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy. A big sheet pan loaded with your favorite veggies and sausages is just what you need for a busy weeknight.

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    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This turkey breast is roasted with garlic and butter, sitting on a bed of tasty low-carb veggies. It's a simple, one-pan meal that's perfect for feeding a crowd.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

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

    This chicken traybake is simple to prepare and everything cooks together in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. With colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, it’s a flexible recipe that you can easily customize.

    Get the recipe

    Broccoli Casserole

    Broccli casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This broccoli casserole is a quick and easy side dish that everyone will enjoy. It's a healthier option that works well for gatherings and busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken pasta salad.
      21 Best Pasta Salads to Make for Lunch
    • Tuscan chicken bake.
      20 Easy Sunday Dinner Ideas for Busy Families
    • Chicken cacciatore.
      23 Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Busy Summer Days
    • Zucchini casserole.
      20 Delicious Summer Casseroles You Can Make Ahead

    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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