Dump and bake casseroles are the dinners I turn to on nights I need the oven to do the work while I handle homework, laundry, or both at once. Everything goes into one dish, mostly uncooked, and the oven finishes it.
Six dump and bake casseroles
1. Dump and bake chicken and rice
Raw rice, broth, and chicken pieces baked covered so the rice steams through without drying out.
2. Baked ziti
Using no-boil noodles or slightly undercooked regular pasta, since they finish cooking in the sauce as it bakes.
3. Dump and bake taco casserole
Ground beef, tortilla chips, cheese, and taco seasoning layered and baked until bubbling.
4. Chicken enchilada casserole
Shredded chicken, tortillas, and enchilada sauce layered like a lasagna instead of individually rolled, cutting the prep time significantly.
5. Sausage and potato bake
Cut potatoes small so they cook through in the same time as the sausage, which is the main variable that determines if this works.
6. Broccoli cheddar rice bake
A meatless option that still feels substantial thanks to the rice and cheese, good alongside grilled chicken if you want extra protein.
The one rule for raw rice or pasta in a bake
Cover the dish with foil for most of the bake time. Uncovered, the liquid evaporates before the rice or pasta has a chance to fully absorb it and cook through.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my rice stay crunchy in a dump and bake casserole?
Usually not enough liquid, or baking uncovered so the liquid evaporated before the rice finished absorbing it.
Can I assemble these casseroles ahead of time and bake later?
Yes, for most of them, though casseroles with raw rice are best baked the same day, since the rice can start absorbing liquid unevenly if it sits too long beforehand.