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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    32 Dump-and-Go Recipes That Will Change Your Comfort Food Game

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 5, 2025, updated September 2, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Comfort food is all about warmth and satisfaction, and these 32 dump-and-go recipes make it easier than ever to enjoy your favorites without the fuss. Just toss the ingredients together, let them cook, and you'll have hearty meals ready to enjoy with minimal effort. Perfect for busy days, these recipes will bring cozy flavors to your table in no time.

    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple, one-pan meal that brings together frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and marinara sauce, all baked in the oven. This dish is comforting and filling, making it a great choice for dinner with little effort. It combines familiar flavors that are sure to please everyone at the table.

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    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This classic Southern dish brings a sense of comfort to the table. It’s a simple casserole packed with melted cheese, chicken, and a blend of southwestern flavors, making it a delicious choice for dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic tastes of enchiladas into a simple layered dish. With corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and hearty red enchilada sauce, it’s like a cozy lasagna. This meal is easy to put together and is great for any weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

    Baked butter beans in a bowl.
    Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry.

    Pizza baked beans offer a straightforward and cozy dinner choice. By combining canned beans with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings, you can create a satisfying dish that bakes in just about 30 minutes. Serve it alongside some crusty bread for a hearty meal that works well any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas, Mexican black beans, and quinoa, all baked together in one dish. Everything goes into the oven without any pre-cooking, making it an easy and satisfying choice for any weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s simple to prepare and is sure to satisfy your hunger. Plus, it’s great to have leftovers for the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

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

    This casserole combines creamy chicken with a variety of vegetables, all topped with a crispy layer of tater tots. It's a great choice for a cozy meal that everyone will like. You can either make it ahead of time and freeze it for later or bake it right away for a comforting dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy tuna pasta bake is packed with flavor and is simple to prepare using just a handful of ingredients like canned tuna and mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting dish that combines familiar flavors into a satisfying meal. Ideal for a cozy dinner, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    This casserole is packed with delicious Cajun flavor and is super easy to make. You don’t have to worry about boiling the pasta first; just mix everything together and pop it in the oven. In no time, you'll have a creamy sauce that ties all the ingredients together perfectly.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Beans

    Cheesy Beans on Toasted Garlic Bread
    Photo Credit: Style and Grace.

    Dinner can be ready in just 20 minutes using only a few simple ingredients. Easy Cheesy Beans are cooked in a tasty marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Serve it with garlic bread for a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, and it all comes together in a single pan, making it easy to prepare. It’s a tasty pasta dish that can be ready in under an hour, offering flavors that rival those from your favorite restaurant.

    Get the recipe

    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This casserole brings together white beans, pasta, and cherry tomatoes into a warm and satisfying dish that's great for dinner any night. It's a healthy choice that doesn't take much time to put together, making it ideal for busy evenings. Enjoy a comforting meal that everyone will appreciate.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs

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

    Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and feature crispy, golden chicken thighs cooked in a tasty garlic and white wine sauce with soft mushrooms. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will love.

    Get the Recipe

    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a comforting meal that everyone will love. Everything cooks in one pan, so cleaning up is easy. This dish is quick to put together and perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This one-pan dinner is simple to make and really tasty. It features premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, creating a filling meal. This vegetarian casserole is great for any night of the week and is bound to be a hit.

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    Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

    Million dollar casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Shredded chicken is combined with cream cheese and cream of chicken soup, then topped with buttery Ritz crackers. This dish is easy to prepare and offers a satisfying meal without much work. It's a comforting option that everyone will enjoy, making it a great choice for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Sushi Bake

    Tuna Sushi Bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    Sushi bake is a simple dish that mixes rice, canned tuna, nori, and a spicy mayo topping. It's great for quick dinners, easy meal prep, or sharing with friends and family. This recipe is easy to assemble and gives a fun spin on classic sushi.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This vegan pasta bake is creamy and packed with veggies, and you don’t even have to boil the noodles first. It’s an easy dish that can be served warm or cold, so it works well for any meal. Great for a quick dinner, this bake is both filling and simple to make.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is a great choice for cheese and pasta lovers. With two types of cheese, a nice zing from Gorgonzola, and a crunchy texture from walnuts, it hits all the right notes. It comes together in less than 40 minutes, making it an easy and tasty meal.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

    Cheesy Baked Spaghetti.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked spaghetti is a delicious twist on the classic dish, combining spaghetti and meatballs with lots of gooey cheese. It's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is easy to make with common ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, and it’s sure to be a hit with the family. You won’t even need to use the oven, as this dish cooks beautifully in your slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This casserole combines the delicious tastes of a classic Italian meal with chicken, marinara sauce, pasta, and melted mozzarella cheese. It's an easy and filling dish that’s perfect for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

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

    This easy casserole is quick to prepare and doesn't require any pre-cooking. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian herbs. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Cheesy chicken and rice casserole dish.
    Photo Credit: Rose Bakes.

    This recipe highlights easy and comforting meals that you can whip up in no time using canned soups and prepackaged rice mixes. It's perfect for busy evenings or when you're craving something simple and cozy. You can have a filling dinner ready without spending hours in the kitchen.

    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 simple to make. With just four main ingredients and some store-bought options, you can whip it up in about 5 minutes and have it served in under 40. It's ideal for busy nights when you want a comforting meal without spending too much time cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

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

    This dish is really simple to make. It mixes BBQ sauce, chicken, bacon, and cheese, which everyone tends to enjoy. It's a great option for a quick and filling meal, adding some comfort to your dinner plans.

    Get the recipe

    Rigatoni al Forno

    Rigatoni al Forno.
    Photo credit: Food and Mood Dietitian.

    Veggie-packed rigatoni al forno is a straightforward and tasty pasta dish. This hearty Italian bake is easy to put together and bursting with flavor. It's a great choice for a cozy dinner, offering comfort and satisfaction in every bite.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is an easy and filling meal that combines spicy buffalo chicken with gooey cheese. It comes together quickly, so you can have a delicious dinner on the table in under an hour. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending a lot of time cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy evenings. Everything goes into one pan, and there's no need to cook the pasta separately. It's packed with cheese and all the delicious flavors of pizza, so everyone will enjoy it.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines cheesy chicken, pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for a hearty meal. It's an excellent choice for a cozy night in, offering comfort without needing a lot of time or effort in the kitchen. Enjoy a satisfying and tasty dinner that comes together easily.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    Spinach chicken artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    Spinach artichoke chicken casserole is a warm and comforting dish that's easy to put together using rotisserie chicken and frozen vegetables. It comes together in less than an hour, making it a great choice for a busy evening. This meal is hearty and packed with flavor, perfect for a cozy dinner.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Baked Ziti

    No Boil Baked Ziti
    Photo Credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Baked ziti is a classic comfort food that’s easy to make. There’s no need to boil the pasta or cook the meat separately; just layer everything together and pop it in the oven. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

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    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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