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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Super Simple Meal Prep Dinners You Can Just Toss in the Oven

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 23, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 28 meal prep dinners are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. Just toss your ingredients in the oven, and let them cook while you relax or take care of other tasks. With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals all week long.

    Shake and Bake Chicken

    Shake and Bake Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Shake and Bake Chicken is a simple and tasty dinner option that features juicy chicken baked to perfection with a crispy homemade seasoning. It's quick to prepare and will have everyone coming back for seconds. Once you try this, you might find yourself skipping the store-bought versions altogether.

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    Sausage Tray Bake

    Sausage tray bake.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Tranquility.

    This sausage tray bake is packed with flavor and is incredibly simple to prepare in just one pan. It's filled with a mix of veggies, potatoes, and gravy, making it a hearty meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish comes together quickly and requires minimal cleanup.

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    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal comes together with just 8 ingredients, making it perfect for a quick dinner any night. Featuring tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it offers a great mix of flavors and textures. It's an easy dish that you'll likely want to make again and again.

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    Monterey Chicken Casserole

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

    This casserole is simple to prepare and perfect for a family dinner. With a mix of zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it's a dish that everyone will enjoy. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    Dijon sheet pan chicken.
    Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Sheet pan meals are a real lifesaver when evenings get hectic, and this maple Dijon chicken dish is a perfect example. With simple preparation and delicious flavors, it requires very little cleanup afterward. The combination of seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and roasted vegetables is satisfying and makes for a comforting dinner without much effort.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked with a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor. They turn out crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside. With a delicious mix of garlic and herbs, this dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's simple to prepare and perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs are packed with delicious flavors and come with plenty of veggies, making it a great low-carb dinner option that everyone in the family will love. This dish is simple to prepare and requires minimal effort, perfect for busy evenings. Just toss everything together on a sheet pan, bake it, and you have a satisfying meal ready to enjoy.

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    Baked Ranch Chicken

    Baked ranch chicken on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

    This dish is simple to prepare and creates a creamy sauce while it bakes. The chicken turns out tender and juicy, covered in a tasty gravy and finished with a crispy layer of panko breadcrumbs. It's a satisfying meal that requires minimal effort and is perfect for any night of the week.

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    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits/

    This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes dish is simple and satisfying. With just a few minutes of prep, you can throw everything on one pan and let it bake. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it's ready in under an hour. Packed with spicy buffalo sauce and sneaky spinach, this dish is both cheesy and satisfying. It's a simple and tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

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    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dish is great for a simple weeknight dinner. It's juicy, tender, and packed with flavor in every bite. Just throw everything together, bake it, and enjoy a delicious meal without much effort.

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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. It's a great option for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Pork Chop Pizzaiola

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola is a simple and tasty dinner option that you can whip up in less than 30 minutes using just five ingredients. This dish combines juicy pork chops with a flavorful sauce, making it a great choice for busy weeknights. It's easy to prepare and satisfying, perfect for when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs & Sweet Potatoes

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

    This recipe is all about comfort and simplicity, perfect for a satisfying meal. With just a few basic ingredients you probably already have at home, you can whip this up in about 30 minutes. It's a filling option that doesn't require much effort, making it ideal for busy evenings.

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    Vegetarian Burrito Bowls

    Burrito bowl.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    Burrito bowls are a simple and tasty meal that you can whip up with minimal effort. This recipe lets you just throw everything together and bake it, making it perfect for busy days. It's a healthy option that doesn't skimp on flavor, and it's sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

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    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 at the beginning, everything cooks together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. You'll enjoy tender chicken, flavorful veggies, and a tasty sauce all in one dish.

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    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole

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

    Dinner can be simple with this rigatoni and meatball casserole that doesn't require boiling. It involves minimal prep and delivers a satisfying and hearty meal. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish is easy to throw together and bake.

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    Salsa Chicken

    Salsa Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Salsa Chicken is a simple and tasty dish that comes together with minimal effort. It's a healthy option that's full of flavor and perfect for busy evenings. This recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

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

    This chicken dish is super easy to make with just six simple ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked until they're juicy and tender. It's a quick dinner option that works well for busy weeknights or when you just want something simple on the weekend.

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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 must-try for anyone looking for an easy dinner option. With just a few ingredients, it offers a fresh and healthy meal that's full of flavor. The gnocchi gets nice and crispy while cooking with garlic mushrooms and broccoli, and you can have everything ready in just 30 minutes with only one pan to wash afterward.

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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 really easy to prepare and only requires one pan, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for a quick dinner during the week when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe is simple and requires minimal effort.

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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 combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just mix everything together, bake it, and enjoy a satisfying dinner.

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    One Pan Turkey Breast and Veggies

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

    This dish features a tender turkey breast roasted with garlic and butter, served on a bed of vibrant low-carb vegetables. It's a simple, one-pan meal that's packed with protein and flavor. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner, this recipe requires minimal effort while delivering a delicious result.

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    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 incredibly easy to prepare. With only four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it prepped in just five minutes and on the table in under 40 minutes. It's perfect for busy days when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 Dump-And-Cook Dinners We’re Making Every Week This Fall
    • Ritz chicken.
      23 Hearty Crockpot Meals You’ll Love to Make This Fall

    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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