If you’re tired of multi-step dinners, mountains of dirty dishes, and constantly checking the stove, you need these dump-and-bake recipes in your rotation. With minimal prep and zero stirring required, these eight one-pan meals are perfect for busy weeks when you want real food with none of the fuss. Just dump, bake, and eat, it’s that easy.
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8. Italian Sausage and Peppers Casserole
This hearty meal requires zero stovetop effort. Just toss sliced Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and seasoning into a baking dish. Bake until the sausage is browned and the veggies are soft. It’s one of the easiest dump-and-bake recipes to prep ahead and reheat throughout the week.
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7. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bake
Perfect for meatless Mondays, this dish features cubed sweet potatoes, canned black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Everything bakes together into a warm, filling bowl of plant-based goodness. Top with avocado or Greek yogurt for more flavor.
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6. Tex-Mex Enchilada Bake
This no-stir dinner is layered with flavor. In your baking dish, dump canned black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, uncooked rice, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Bake until the rice is tender, then add a thick layer of cheese and return to the oven until bubbly and golden. It’s basically a casserole version of your favorite burrito bowl.
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5. Teriyaki Chicken Quinoa Bake
Quinoa cooks beautifully in the oven when paired with enough liquid. Combine dry quinoa, frozen stir-fry veggies, teriyaki sauce, and diced chicken breast in a baking dish. Cover and bake until the quinoa fluffs up and the veggies are cooked. A drizzle of extra sauce at the end makes it feel takeout-level good, but with none of the cost!
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4. Chili Macaroni and Cheese
This combo of chili and mac and cheese is one of those dump-and-bake recipes that becomes a weeknight staple. Dry elbow pasta, canned beans, tomatoes, ground turkey (or plant-based meat), broth, and spices go into the dish raw. Bake it all together until the pasta is cooked through and the flavors have melded. Add cheese on top if you’re feeling extra.
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3. Greek-Inspired Chicken and Potatoes
Toss chicken thighs, baby potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, and kalamata olives into a dish and bake. The lemony marinade bakes into everything, creating crisp skin, tender potatoes, and bold Mediterranean flavor. A finishing sprinkle of feta takes this from simple to standout.
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2. Broccoli and Cheese Pasta Bake
As one of the easiest dump-and-bake recipes, there is no boiling water needed. Mix dry pasta, milk, cream cheese, frozen broccoli, and shredded cheddar in a casserole dish. Cover and bake until the pasta is tender and the sauce is thick and creamy. It’s the ultimate comfort food, without ever needing to stir over a stovetop.
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1. Baked Salsa Chicken with Rice
This bold and flavorful dinner takes just five minutes to prep. In a baking dish, combine uncooked rice, salsa, broth, and chicken breasts. Top with seasoning, cover with foil, and bake until everything is tender and the rice has soaked up all that spicy goodness. If you’re feeling crazy, sprinkle cheese over the top at the end.
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