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    Home » Dump and Go Meals

    24 Simple Dump-and-Bake Dinners Worth Prepping Ahead

    Published: May 6, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Meal prep can be a hassle, but these 24 simple dump-and-bake dinners make it easy and stress-free. Just toss your ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and let the magic happen. Perfect for busy weeknights, these recipes will help you get dinner on the table with minimal effort.

    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

    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

    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 often.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    Gnocchi is a delicious dish that you can easily prepare by roasting it in the oven with some olive oil. It develops a nice crispy outside while staying soft and tender inside.

    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 fill you up. It's perfect for dinner and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

    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 delicious mix of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please everyone at the table.

    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, tropical dinner any night.

    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 makes cleanup easy. This recipe features the great flavors of garlic, parmesan, red pepper, and parsley.

    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's packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

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

    Melt in your Mouth Chicken is a simple dish that uses just 6 ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked until they're juicy and tender, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

    Get the Recipe

    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Savory Experiments.

    Pasta and meatballs are a family favorite, and this cheesy meatball casserole is a simple way to enjoy them. With just frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, and pasta, it's a quick meal that's great for busy weeknights.

    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

    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

    Baked Chicken Thighs

    Baked Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    Baked Chicken Thighs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor, coming out crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside. They're generously seasoned with garlic and herbs for a delicious meal.

    Get the Recipe

    No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole

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

    This no-boil rigatoni and meatball casserole simplifies dinner time with minimal prep. It's a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

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

    This creamy casserole is made with rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies, making prep a breeze! You can make it in under 1 hour, from start to finish.

    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 meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    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

    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

    Sheet Pan Salmon Oreganata

    Baked salmon with crispy topping.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This sheet pan dinner is easy to throw together when you're feeling worn out. With a crunchy coating and lively flavors, it's bound to please everyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Queso Chicken and Rice

    Queso Chicken and Rice.
    Photo Credit: Foodie and Wine.

    Queso Chicken and Rice is a delicious one-pan meal that's easy to prepare. With tender chicken, creamy queso sauce, and fluffy rice, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner.

    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 packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit.

    Get the recipe

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Fantabulosity.

    This chicken and rice dish is a family favorite that's easy to make in the oven. It features juicy chicken thighs mixed with canned soups for a cozy meal everyone will love.

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

    Get the recipe

    More Dump and Go Meals

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      23 Dump-and-Go Casseroles We Make on Repeat
    • Vegan gnocchi soup.
      28 Dump-and-Cook Recipes Your Whole Family Will Love
    • Fajita casserole.
      22 Hearty Toss-and-Bake Meals You Can Make Real Quick
    • Chicken.
      18 Family-Favorite Dump-and-Bake Recipes Everyone Loves
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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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