Some nights you want to just put a pan in the oven and leave it alone. This is what these dinners are designed for. Whether you have picky kids to feed, or are trying to stretch one pan meal into leftovers, the oven does all the work. Just set the timer, grab yourself a drink and let dinner cook itself!
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1) Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken
The chicken is golden and juicy and makes an amazing smell. It will waft through the house.
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Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken
A perfect roast chicken with a bright flavor from lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs until golden brown and tender.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425F and pat the chicken dry.
- Rub the chicken all over with olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
- Stuff the cavity with the lemon halves and smashed garlic.
- Set the chicken in a roasting pan breast-side up.
- Roast 70-75 minutes until the juices run clear and the skin is golden.
- Rest 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
Let the chicken rest so the juices redistribute and stay in the meat.
2) Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
Cozy and rich, the perfect answer to any chilly evening.
Slow-Cooked Beef Stew
Tender chunks of beef, as well as potatoes and carrots braised in a flavorful brooth.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 325F and toss the beef with flour, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the beef in oil in a Dutch oven until browned on all sides.
- Stir in the onion and tomato paste, then pour in the broth.
- Add the carrots and potatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Cover and braise in the oven 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Skim any fat and serve hot.
Notes
A splash of red wine in the broth deepens the flavor beautifully.
3) Garlic Butter Shrimp Bake
Shrimp cooked in garlic butter and ready in no time!
Garlic Butter Shrimp Bake
Plump shrimp are baked in a buttery garlic sauce with a splash of lemon.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Stir together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the garlic butter over the shrimp and toss to coat.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crusty bread.
Notes
Don't overbake or the shrimp will turn rubbery; pull them as soon as they're pink.
4) Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Dinner can practically prepare itself with next to no cleanup needed!
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
Roasted smoky sausage and vibrant veggies all on one sheet pan.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a sheet pan.
- Toss the sausage and vegetables with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Spread everything in a single layer on the pan.
- Roast 22-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- Serve straight from the pan while hot.
Notes
Don't crowd the pan or the veggies will steam instead of roast.
5) Baked Ziti with Ricotta
This is a great crowd-pleaser with lots of cheese and sauce that is sure to warm you up!
Baked Ziti with Ricotta
Ziti pasta layered with marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and cook the ziti until just shy of al dente.
- Mix the ricotta with the egg, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt.
- Toss the drained pasta with marinara.
- Layer half the pasta in a baking dish, spread the ricotta over it, then add the rest of the pasta.
- Top with mozzarella and bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Sprinkle with basil and rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn't turn mushy in the oven.
6) Honey Soy Baked Salmon
Sticky-sweet salmon that tastes like takeout but bakes at home.
Honey Soy Baked Salmon
Salmon fillets with a honey soy glaze, sweet and salty, delightful!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking dish with foil.
- Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and rice vinegar.
- Place the salmon in the dish and pour the glaze over the top.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily.
- Spoon the pan sauce over the fillets and top with green onion and sesame seeds.
Notes
Broil for the last 2 minutes for a caramelized, sticky top.
7) Crispy Sheet Pan Tacos
Baked tacos for the whole family! Cheesy and crunchy!
Crispy Sheet Pan Tacos
Tacos with seasoned beef and cheese, then baked until crispy.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Brown the beef, stir in taco seasoning with a splash of water, and simmer until thick.
- Stand the taco shells upright in a baking dish.
- Fill each shell with beef and a generous handful of cheese.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until the shells crisp and the cheese melts.
- Top with lettuce and tomato before serving.
Notes
Crumple foil in the dish to help the shells stand up straight.
8) One-Pan Baked Mediterranean Cod
Light, bright, and can be made in under 30 minutes.
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One-Pan Baked Mediterranean Cod
Flaky cod baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and lightly oil a baking dish.
- Scatter the tomatoes, olives, and garlic in the dish.
- Nestle the cod fillets among the vegetables.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Top with lemon slices and bake 16-18 minutes until the cod flakes.
- Serve with the pan juices spooned over the top.
Notes
Pair with crusty bread to soak up all those flavorful juices.
9) Easy Meatball Parmesan
Cheesy meatballs with zesty sauce that can be enjoyed with pasta or as a bun sandwich.
Easy Meatball Parmesan
Delicious meatballs in marinara with melting mozzarella on top.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and half the Parmesan, then roll into meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Pour the marinara over the meatballs and top with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan.
- Bake 22-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Garnish with basil and serve.
Notes
Spoon over spaghetti or stuff into rolls for meatball subs.
10) Vegetable Ratatouille Bake
One of the most beautiful veggie dishes in all its glory.
Vegetable Ratatouille Bake
Summer vegetables that have been cut into thin slices are arranged in a fan shape and baked with a delicious tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and spread the marinara with garlic in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Slice the eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes thinly.
- Arrange the slices in overlapping rows over the sauce.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more until tender.
- Serve warm with crusty bread.
Notes
Slice the vegetables evenly so they cook at the same rate.
11) Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Large pasta shells filled with your favorite ingredients and baked to perfection!
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
A Jumbo pasta shells dish that is filled with ricotta and creamy spinach and then baked with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and cook the shells until just tender, then drain.
- Mix the ricotta with spinach, egg, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt.
- Spread a layer of marinara in a baking dish.
- Stuff each shell with the ricotta filling and nestle into the sauce.
- Top with the remaining marinara and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly, uncovering for the last 10.
Notes
Cook a few extra shells since some always tear while boiling.
12) Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
Ribs that fall off the bone and never see the grill.
Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
Pork ribs are baked slowly for tenderness and coated in a sticky barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 300F and remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
- Rub the ribs all over with the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Wrap the ribs tightly in foil and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake 2.5 hours until the meat is very tender.
- Unwrap, brush generously with barbecue sauce, and bake uncovered 15 more minutes.
- Rest 10 minutes, then slice between the bones.
Notes
Broil for the last few minutes for caramelized, sticky edges.
13) Creamy Baked Risotto
All the stir-free creamy comfort of risotto.
Creamy Baked Risotto
A baked risotto in the oven that keeps hands-off and comes out creamy and tender is the way to go!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and melt the butter in an oven-safe pot.
- Soften the onion and garlic, then stir in the rice to coat.
- Pour in the broth, bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to the oven.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in the Parmesan and cream until creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve right away.
Notes
Stir in cooked mushrooms or peas at the end for an easy upgrade.
14) Spinach and Feta Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers with a Greek twist.
Spinach and Feta Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers baked to perfection and filled with rice, spinach, and tangy feta.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and stand the peppers in a baking dish.
- Saute the onion and garlic, then stir in the spinach until wilted.
- Mix the spinach with the cooked rice, feta, and a splash of marinara.
- Spoon the filling into each pepper and top with the remaining marinara.
- Cover with foil and bake 30-35 minutes until the peppers are tender.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Choose peppers with flat bottoms so they stand upright in the dish.
15) Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Even people who are not fans of vegetables will fight over these cheesy crispy florets.
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets roasted to perfection with garlic and Parmesan.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet.
- Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spread in a single layer on the sheet.
- Roast 25 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp at the edges.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and roast 5 more minutes until melted.
- Finish with parsley and serve.
Notes
Spread the florets out so they roast and crisp instead of steaming.
16) Tandoori Baked Chicken
Juicy chicken with bold spices and serious flavor while taking almost no effort.
Tandoori Baked Chicken
Chicken soaked in spiced yogurt and baked to perfection until it's slightly charred at the edges.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the yogurt with tandoori spice, garlic, ginger, and lemon juice.
- Coat the chicken thighs in the marinade and let them sit at least 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425F and arrange the chicken on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through and charred at the edges.
- Rest a few minutes, then top with cilantro and serve.
Notes
Marinate overnight if you can for the deepest flavor.
17) Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy, buttery pecan topping, and sweet.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes whipped and then baked with a crunchy whipped brown sugar pecan topping.
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a baking dish.
- Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with half the brown sugar, the eggs, and half the butter.
- Spread the mixture into the baking dish.
- Combine the pecans, flour, cinnamon, remaining brown sugar, and remaining butter into a crumble.
- Scatter the crumble over the sweet potatoes.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.
Notes
Microwave the sweet potatoes to soften them fast on busy nights.