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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    23 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Take the Work Out of Weeknights

    Published: Jun 17, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore, but dump-and-bake dinners are here to change that. These simple recipes require minimal prep and cleanup, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals without the hassle. With just a few ingredients tossed together, you can create satisfying dishes that will make you look forward to dinner time again.

    Falafel Bake

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

    This dish is easy to prepare and really delicious. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, it's a cozy vegetarian casserole that you'll want to make over and over.

    Get the recipe

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This easy meatball casserole brings together uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce for a delicious one-pan dinner. Just layer everything in a dish and let the oven do the work.

    Get the Recipe

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Drumsticks

    Garlic Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Oven baked chicken drumsticks are a tasty option for dinner, and using a sheet pan means less cleanup. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley.

    Get the recipe

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    A spoonful of pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    This no-boil chicken pasta bake is a simple way to get dinner ready with minimal effort. It requires very little prep and delivers a satisfying and hearty meal.

    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

    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

    Ricotta Spinach Tortellini Bake

    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Make this delicious tortellini bake in under 30 minutes, following just a few simple steps. It's loaded with two types of cheese and lots of spinach for a comforting, cheesy, dinner that's still full of good stuff. Perfect for weeknight dinners, or any time you need a quick meal!

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Sushi Bake

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

    This easy sushi bake combines rice, canned tuna, slivered nori, and a spicy mayo drizzle. It's a simple dish that's great for weeknight dinners or meal prep, and works well for gatherings.

    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 full of flavor, taking just 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a simple and satisfying dinner option.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

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

    This cheesy mac and cheese is made in one dish with no need to cook anything beforehand. With mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's incredibly cheesy and super simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    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 cheese all in one pan. With easy prep and a comforting blend of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, this is a great option for busy weeknights that everyone will enjoy.

    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 delicious.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Vegetables

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan dinner that requires no chopping. With frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, it's a comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    4-Ingredient Lazy Lasagna

    Lazy lasagna.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This lazy lasagna is super easy to prep in just a few minutes, and ready to eat in 35. With store bought shortcuts or homemade ingredients, this is an incredible dinner everyone loves.

    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

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken

    One-Pan Maple Dijon Chicken
    Photo Credit: Simply Stacie.

    Maple Dijon Chicken is a great choice for dinner tonight. It features tender chicken baked alongside butternut squash, purple potatoes, and broccoli, all on one pan for an easy and healthy meal.

    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

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    This Enchilada Bake is simple to whip up with ingredients you probably already have at home, and it's so delicious that your family will love it. You won't even need to use your oven, as this dish cooks perfectly in your slow cooker.

    Get the recipe

    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 quick and easy meal. It's ideal for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish packed with flavor. With chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach combined with pasta in a rich coconut milk and cheese sauce, this is a good dinner for busy nights or a cozy weekend.

    Get the Recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

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

    This super cheesy mac and cheese is all done in one dish with no pre-cooking whatsoever - just dump, bake, and enjoy a deliciously comforting dish. With mozzarella & gorgonzola it doesn't get much cheesier than this - or easier!

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is a fantastic meal that's both tender and healthy. It's an easy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress at dinner.

    Get the Recipe

    Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes

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

    This Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes dish is easy to put together and cooks all in one pan. In just 5 minutes of prep, you'll have a tasty meal ready to enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    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 tender gnocchi, crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is sure to be a hit!

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

    • Lazy lasagna.
      22 Dump and Bake Dinners That Practically Make Themselves
    • Sheet pan pork tenderloin.
      28 Quick and Delicious Dump and Go Meals for Busy Weeknights
    • Orange chicken.
      21 Dump and Go Slow Cooker Dinners for Busy Nights
    • Gnocchi with veggies.
      30 Dump-and-Cook Dinners With All the Heart of Home Cooking
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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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