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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    These 20 Dump-and-Bake Dinners Are Perfect for Busy Families

    Published: Feb 14, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Finding time to cook can be tough for busy families, but dump-and-bake dinners make it easy to put a meal on the table with minimal effort. These simple recipes require little prep and can be tossed together in one dish, making cleanup a breeze. From casseroles to pasta bakes, these 20 easy meals will help you serve up delicious dinners without the stress.

    Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

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

    This recipe combines canned soups and ready-made rice mixes for a simple meal. It's great for busy weeknights when you want some comforting food without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

    A casserole dish full of spinach artichoke casserole.
    Photo credit: Nibble and Dine.

    This creamy casserole combines rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, making it super easy to prepare. You can have it ready in less than an hour.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes

    Oven Baked One Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This one pan chicken and potato dish is perfect for busy weeknights. With zesty chicken legs and roasted potatoes, it's a comforting meal that comes together quickly, leaving you time to whip up a simple salad on the side.

    Get the Recipe

    Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake

    Baked gnocchi.
    Image credit: Katie Trant.

    This is a simple and satisfying meal that you can throw together quickly. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without a lot of work.

    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. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, hidden spinach, and plenty of cheese, making it a tasty option for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This recipe is perfect for gnocchi lovers. The gnocchi is tossed in olive oil and roasted in the oven, creating a crispy outside while staying soft and tender inside.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

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

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it's a dish that everyone will love.

    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 cooked together, this is a simple and tasty dinner option.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan dinner 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

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry is a simple and delicious meal perfect for busy evenings. Just toss everything on a sheet pan, bake it, and enjoy a stress-free dinner with family.

    Get the recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    Ravioli casserole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is incredibly 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

    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 and tasty meal any night.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Sheet Pan Jerk Chicken with Pineapple combines spicy and sweet flavors that everyone will love. It's an easy dish to prepare in one pan, loaded with healthy vegetables.

    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

    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 and satisfying meal. It's a simple option that requires minimal effort to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    Enchilada Bake is simple to make with ingredients you probably already have at home, and it's delicious enough to be a family favorite. You won't even need to use your oven, as this dish is made in a slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    Pizza Baked Butter Beans

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

    These simple, pizza baked beans are perfect for busy weeknights! Mix some canned, drained beans with a bit of pizza sauce, add your favorite toppings, and bake for a quick, cozy dinner that's perfect with a loaf of crusty bread. All done in 30 minutes!

    Get the recipe

    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 simple and satisfying option for dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzla mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    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 everyone will love.

    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 plenty of sauce all cooked together.

    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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    1. Laura Ludwig

      February 16, 2025 at 4:17 am

      I sure would love it if you people that use the dump and go term would please stop it.
      It is disrespectful to food and food should always be made with care and love or it is not really a good home cooked meal. You may as well just opt for crazy fast food because that is all it really is.

      Reply

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