Some nights we walk through the door, drop our bags, and our energy right along with them. Cooking feels like climbing a mountain in flip flops. That is where dump and bake dinners save the day.
We scoop a few pantry staples into a pan, slide it in the oven, and by the time we have checked homework or changed into soft clothes, dinner smells like we spent hours in the kitchen. These are the kind of easy dinner ideas that keep us sane on busy weeknights.
Below, we are sharing 15 simple recipes that feel homey and cozy, use everyday ingredients, and still fit right into our list of quick recipes for busy nights.
Why Dump and Bake Dinners Work For Busy Families
Dump and bake recipes are perfect for weeknight dinners because they cut down on every annoying step. Little chopping, almost no standing at the stove, and only one main pan to wash. That is our kind of easy cooking.
They also fit well into budget-friendly recipes. We rely on pasta, rice, beans, canned tomatoes, and frozen veggies, then add a little cheese or chicken when we have it. Most of these are true 30-minute meals or close to it, so we get quick meals on the table before everyone gets too cranky.
We can also stretch them into family meals for the next day. With a little smart meal prep, many of these casseroles taste even better for lunch tomorrow.
15 Dump and Bake Dinners With Pantry Staples
1. Cheesy Pantry Baked Ziti
This one is easy because we do not even boil the pasta, and it is ready in about 35 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes
We stir dry pasta, jarred marinara, water or broth, and a little salt in a greased 9×13 dish, then top with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. A sturdy baking dish like the ones in this 9×13 baking dish search works well. No ricotta at home? We use a scoop of cream cheese or cottage cheese.
For meal prep, we bake once and pack into containers for grab and go lunches. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or broth.
Photo by Shameel mukkath
2. Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake
This is easy because everything cooks in one dish, and it is on the table in about 40 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes
We mix raw rice, canned cream soup, water or broth, frozen peas, and dried onion in the pan, then nestle in raw chicken thighs or breasts. If we are out of cream soup, we mix sour cream with broth. Any oven-safe casserole dish works here.
For leftovers, we shred the extra chicken and stir the rice to make a creamy bowl for lunches. Add a splash of milk when reheating to keep it soft.
3. Salsa Chicken Black Bean Bake
This is easy because we mostly open cans and jars, and it cooks in about 30 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes
We layer drained black beans, canned corn, salsa, and rice in a baking dish, then top with chicken tenders and some shredded cheese. No chicken? We skip it and add extra beans. Jarred queso can swap in for part of the cheese if that is what we have.
This one works well for meal prep, since the rice and beans reheat like a burrito bowl. We just add fresh avocado or chopped tomato on top later.
4. Tuna Noodle Pantry Casserole
This is easy because it uses shelf-stable tuna and dry pasta, and it bakes in about 25 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
We combine dry pasta, canned tuna, peas, cream soup or mayo, water, and a little shredded cheese. Crushed crackers or breadcrumbs on top add a nice crunch, but they are optional. If we do not have peas, frozen mixed veggies work fine.
Leftovers make great quick meals for lunch. We like to stir in a spoon of yogurt when reheating to keep it creamy.
5. One-Pan Chili Mac Bake
This is easy because we use pantry chili ingredients, and it hits the table in about 30 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
We mix dry pasta, canned beans, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and chili seasoning in the pan. If we have leftover ground beef or turkey, we scatter it over the top, but it is tasty without meat too. A sprinkle of cheddar finishes it.
For family meals the next day, we scoop leftovers into bowls and add sour cream on top. It also freezes well in small portions.
6. Sausage, Pepper, and Potato Sheet Pan Bake
This is easy because we only chop a couple of things, and it cooks in about 35 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes
We toss sliced smoked sausage, potatoes, and frozen peppers with oil and seasoning, then spread on a large sheet pan. If we are low on potatoes, we swap in carrots or sweet potatoes. A sturdy pan like the ones in this sheet pan search helps with even browning.
Leftovers are great with fried eggs the next morning, which turns dinner into breakfast.
7. Baked Gnocchi With Jarred Sauce
This is easy because gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, and it is ready in about 25 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
We dump shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi into a baking dish, pour over jarred marinara or Alfredo, add a splash of water, then top with cheese. Spinach or frozen peas can join the party if we like. No gnocchi? Small pasta shapes work with a little extra liquid.
For meal prep, we bake it, cool it, and pack into small containers. It reheats in the microwave in just a few minutes.
8. BBQ Chicken and Rice Pantry Bake
This is easy because it uses simple recipes and bottled sauce, and it bakes in about 40 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes
We stir uncooked rice, water, a spoon of BBQ sauce, and a bit of salt in the pan, then lay chicken on top and brush with more BBQ sauce. Frozen corn or green beans can go around the edges. If we are out of BBQ sauce, we mix ketchup with brown sugar and vinegar.
Leftover chicken and rice roll right into wraps for next day lunches.
9. Mediterranean Chickpea and Tomato Bake
This is easy because we skip meat and use all pantry items, and it cooks in about 25 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
We mix canned chickpeas, canned tomatoes, onions (fresh or dried), garlic, and Italian or Greek seasoning in a shallow baking dish. A crumble of feta or grated Parmesan on top is lovely, but not required. If we have spinach, we stir it in halfway through.
We spoon leftovers over toast, rice, or pasta for quick recipes later in the week.
10. Tex-Mex Tortilla Casserole
This is easy because we stack instead of roll, and it bakes in about 30 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
We layer torn tortillas, canned beans, salsa, corn, and cheese in a greased dish, like a fast lasagna. Leftover chicken or ground beef can slip between layers. If we run out of tortillas, crushed tortilla chips cover the top.
This one holds up well for family meals and packs nicely for school or office lunches.
11. Broccoli Cheddar Rice Dump Bake
This is easy because we cook the rice and veggies together, and it is ready in about 35 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
We stir raw rice, frozen broccoli, broth or water, and a spoon of butter in a casserole dish, then cover tightly with foil. Near the end, we uncover, add shredded cheddar, and let it melt. Any veggie mix can step in if we do not have broccoli.
Leftovers turn into a quick side for grilled chicken or sausages later in the week.
12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Potato Bake
This is easy because it marinates while it bakes, and it cooks in about 40 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
We toss chicken pieces and chopped potatoes with oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and dried herbs right in a baking pan. If lemons are missing, we use bottled lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. Carrots can share the pan if we want extra veggies.
We slice leftover chicken for salads or sandwiches for quick meals the next day.
13. Leftover Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
This is easy because it uses what we already have, and it bakes in about 30 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes
We combine cooked or dry pasta, chopped ham, peas, a simple sauce of milk and shredded cheese, plus a bit of seasoning. No ham? Bacon or turkey work fine. Even canned ham does the job.
It is perfect for meal prep after holidays, since it uses up leftovers in a cozy way.
14. Ranch Chicken and Veggie Dump Tray
This is easy because we use one pan and one seasoning, and it is ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes
We spread chopped potatoes and frozen veggies on a sheet pan, add chicken strips, then sprinkle dry ranch seasoning over everything and drizzle with oil. If we do not have ranch mix, we use garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. An air fryer, like the ones in this air fryer search, can cook smaller batches even faster.
Leftovers make a great topping for salads or baked potatoes.
15. Pesto White Bean and Tomato Bake
This is easy because it uses jars and cans only, and it bakes in about 20 minutes.
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes
We stir canned white beans, cherry or canned tomatoes, jarred pesto, and a little water in a small baking dish. A sprinkle of Parmesan or mozzarella on top finishes it. No pesto? We mix olive oil, garlic, and dried basil instead.
We scoop leftovers over toast or toss with hot pasta for another fast dinner.
Simple Tips To Make Dump and Bake Dinners Even Easier
To keep these weeknight dinners truly stress free, we like to keep a few tools handy. A 9×13 baking dish, a good sheet pan, and some snap-lid containers from this meal prep containers search cover most of our needs. These are affiliate links, which help support more easy dinner ideas.
We also keep a small list on the fridge of pantry staples we love, like pasta, rice, canned beans, canned tomatoes, jarred sauces, and frozen veggies. That way, when we are tired, we still have what we need for simple recipes that turn into cozy family meals.
Final Thoughts: Let Your Oven Be The Hero Tonight
On nights when we are worn out, these dump and bake dinners remind us that home cooking does not have to be hard to be loving. With a few pantry staples and one trusty pan, we can pull together 30-minute meals and quick recipes that taste like a hug.
Pick one recipe from this list, set out your dish, and try it this week. Then, when you find a favorite, double it next time for meal prep and easy leftovers. We would love to hear which one becomes your go to comfort dinner, so roll up those sleeves for just a moment, and let the oven do the rest.
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