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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Lazy Night Meal Prep: Just Dump, Bake, and Relax

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 18, 2025, updated September 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    These 26 lazy night meal prep ideas are perfect for those evenings when you want a home-cooked meal without the fuss. Just dump your ingredients into a dish, bake, and relax while dinner cooks itself. Enjoy simple, satisfying meals that require minimal effort and cleanup.

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

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

    This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a simple and comforting dish that's perfect for any night. It combines long grain white rice, fresh broccoli, and rotisserie chicken, all baked together in one pan. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this meal is not only easy to prepare but also satisfying and delicious.

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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.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Ravioli Casserole

    Baked Ravioli Casserole.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Baked ravioli casserole is a quick and simple dish that you can whip up in about 20 minutes, with only 5 minutes of prep work. Using store-bought cheese ravioli means you skip the boiling step, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This meal can also be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy it whenever you need a fast dinner.

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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 dinner option that you can whip up in just 25 minutes using only one pan. This dish combines tender gnocchi with flavorful sausage and a mix of fresh veggies, making it a satisfying meal without much cleanup. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Dutch Oven Lasagna

    Dutch Oven Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    Dutch Oven Lasagna is a simple and delicious way to enjoy your favorite lasagna. This dish is prepared in a cast iron Dutch oven, making it perfect for cooking over coals or in your kitchen. It combines all the classic flavors you love, and it's easy to throw together. This is a great option for a cozy dinner with minimal effort.

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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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    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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    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.

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

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    Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

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

    This casserole is a great mix of creamy chicken, colorful veggies, and crispy tater tots on top. It's perfect for making ahead and freezing for later, or you can bake it right away and enjoy a comforting meal that everyone will appreciate, even the picky eaters.

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    Chicken & Veggie Traybake

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

    This chicken traybake is simple and comes together in one dish with a tasty Mediterranean dressing. It features colorful vegetables and tender chicken thighs, creating a satisfying meal. You can easily customize it to suit your taste, making it a versatile option for any night of the week.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Get the recipe

    One Pot Burrito Bowl

    One Pot Burrito Bowl Recipe
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    These Mexican burrito bowls are simple to prepare and packed with flavor, all made in one pot in just 30 minutes. Cleanup is quick and easy, so you can enjoy your meal without a lot of work. They're a great option for busy nights when you want something tasty and satisfying.

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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

    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

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

    This comforting casserole is a Southern favorite that brings together melty cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors. It's an easy dish to prepare, requiring very little effort. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is satisfying and full of flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which saves time and effort. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that really brings everything together.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    No-Boil Lasagna is super easy to prepare, taking only 10 minutes of your time. You don't even need to boil the noodles before putting it in the oven. This dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and entirely plant-based. It's perfect for anyone looking for a simple meal that doesn't require much effort. Just throw everything together, bake it, and enjoy a satisfying dinner. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    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 in the family will enjoy. A big sheet pan filled with your favorite vegetables and sausages is hard to beat. This dish is great for busy weeknights when you want something quick and satisfying.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken Caprese

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan.
    Photo Credit: Wholly Tasteful.

    Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan is a simple and tasty meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. With only a few ingredients, this dish not only looks appealing but also delivers great flavor. It's perfect for busy evenings when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This side dish is full of flavor, featuring layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. It's simple to prepare and perfect for adding something special to your meal. Everyone will enjoy this tasty combination.

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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 melted cheese. It's easy to prepare in just one pan, making it perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen. With ingredients like salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, this casserole offers a warm and slightly smoky flavor that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

    Sheet pan chicken and vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Living Chirpy.

    Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables offers a straightforward way to whip up a healthy and filling meal. This dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you need something quick and tasty. Just toss everything on a sheet pan, bake it, and you have a satisfying dinner ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan chicken bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that's full of flavor. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with pasta in a rich sauce made from coconut milk and cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights or a relaxing weekend meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Meatball Pasta Bake

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

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple dish that you can prepare all in one go in the oven, even the pasta cooks right there. It combines frozen meatballs, gooey mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your choice of marinara sauce. This is a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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 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.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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    • Mexican bubble up casserole.
      19 One-Dish Crockpot Meals That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • The Ultimate Southern Potluck: 19 Dishes That Define Comfort Food

    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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