Too Lazy to Cook? These 20 Dump-and-Bake Dinners Save You

You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to get something great on the table, and that’s where these dump-and-bake dinners come in. They’re easy, hearty, and built for nights when you want comfort without the extra cleanup. Just toss everything together, let the oven do the work, and you’ve got a meal that feels way more put-together than the effort it takes. Lazy? Maybe. But when dinner tastes this good, who’s complaining?

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta.

Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Paccheri al Forno

Layers of hearty pasta and melted cheese make this baked paccheri rich and comforting. It’s the kind of meal that feels like real cooking without the work.
Get the Recipe: Paccheri al Forno

Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells filled with cheese and spinach bake easily in marinara for a cozy dinner. It’s perfect when you want something simple but still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells in a cast iron skillet. — Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

Spinach and ricotta stuffed shells bake up soft and cheesy in marinara sauce. It’s comfort made easy, no extra prep required.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Pasta al Forno

Pasta al forno brings meat, cheese, and marinara together in one dish. It’s a crowd-pleaser that proves dump-and-bake dinners can still feel homemade.
Get the Recipe: Pasta al Forno

A Baked Spaghetti Casserole

A spaghetti noodles casserole in a baking dish with peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. — A Baked Spaghetti Casserole. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Baked spaghetti casserole makes dinner simple with big flavor and minimal effort. It’s that easy, cheesy comfort everyone looks forward to.
Get the Recipe: A Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

This baked mac and cheese adds bacon and tomatoes for more flavor without extra work. It’s an easy upgrade to a familiar favorite.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Chicken, corn, and black beans bake together in this Tex-Mex pasta. Using rotisserie chicken makes it fast, hearty, and perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan. — Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Creamy gouda melts into pasta for a smooth, easy meal that feels rich and comforting. It’s done in under an hour and great for when you want something cozy without fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells filled with seasoned beef, peppers, and provolone bring all the cheesesteak comfort to pasta form. It’s hearty, flavorful, and simple to bake.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Paccheri Pasta

Ground beef, sausage, and cheese bake into layers of comfort in this easy paccheri dish. It’s a no-stress dinner that tastes like it took all afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Paccheri Pasta

Meatball Pasta Bake

Meatball casserole makes pasta night effortless with a one-pan, dump-and-bake method. It’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for nights when you need something simple.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Cream cheese, beef, and spaghetti come together in this rich, baked dish. It’s a comforting option that reheats perfectly for a second round.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Best Lasagna

Classic lasagna layers sauce, ricotta, and melted cheese for the ultimate comfort meal. It’s great for weeknights or family gatherings when you want something timeless.
Get the Recipe: Best Lasagna

Turkey Sausage Spaghetti Squash Baked Ziti

Spaghetti squash baked ziti keeps things lighter but still cheesy and hearty. It’s the kind of easy dinner that leaves you with great leftovers, too.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Sausage Spaghetti Squash Baked Ziti

Baked Feta Pasta

Baked feta, roasted tomatoes, and herbs melt together for an easy, creamy pasta. It’s proof that dump-and-bake dinners can still feel fresh and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Noodles with creamy cheese sauce and crunchy panko. — Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Creamy mac and cheese starts on the stove and finishes baked for that golden top. It’s an easy way to make a comfort classic feel a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Easy Veggie Lasagna

An image of a slice of vegetable lasagna on a white serving plate. — Easy Veggie Lasagna. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetable lasagna layers roasted veggies and ricotta into a hearty, easy bake. It’s simple to prepare and brings all the comfort of a classic lasagna.
Get the Recipe: Easy Veggie Lasagna

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Buffalo chicken pasta bake adds a touch of heat to creamy comfort. It’s quick to make and delivers big flavor without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Spaghetti squash lasagna layers cheese and herbs for a quick, meatless bake. It’s rich, simple, and ready before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta

Baked palmini with feta in a light blue casserole. — Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

The viral baked feta pasta keeps things effortless but full of flavor. It’s quick, cheesy, and perfect for nights when you want comfort fast.
Get the Recipe: Palmini Baked Fetta Pasta