15 Simple Oven Meals That Avoid the Usual Prep Steps

Getting started feels easier with 15 simple oven meals that leave out extra prep steps. Life gets busy, and recipes that keep things minimal can be a real lifesaver. Something is comforting about food that doesn’t come with a long to-do list before cooking. Try swapping your routine for dishes that focus on convenience.

A golden-brown baked dish with melted cheese and chopped herbs, being served with a spoon from an oval white casserole dish.
Sloppy Joe Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Crack Chicken Casserole

A spoon lifts a serving of baked macaroni and cheese with a golden breadcrumb topping and melted cheese from a casserole dish.
Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Big flavor meets easy cleanup with this Crack Chicken Casserole, turning hectic nights into comfort-filled ones. Digging into creamy layers and a golden, crispy top always leaves people smiling. I stash away an extra square for later, since leftovers rarely make it through the next day. Less fuss, more enjoyment every single time.
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Casserole

Million Dollar Casserole

A serving spoon lifts a portion of creamy, baked casserole with a crunchy topping, revealing melted cheese.
Million Dollar Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Nothing says comfort quite like this Million Dollar Casserole, known for its rich layers and inviting aroma. Each serving keeps people happy, whether it’s dinner tonight or tomorrow’s lunch. I rely on this recipe when time is short but great food is still a must. Don’t be surprised if it vanishes halfway through the meal.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Casserole

Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Simple comfort comes together in this Chicken Casserole without lots of chopping or complicated steps. Creamy bites and a warming finish make it a frequent request at my table. I love pulling it from the oven after a busy day, knowing dinner is taken care of. Everyone grabs seconds before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Casserole

Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaf and Veggies

Three mini meatloafs topped with sauce are baked on a foil-lined tray with roasted sweet potato chunks and broccoli florets, garnished with chopped parsley.
Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaf and Veggies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Individual servings rule with this Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaf and Veggies, where cleanup is as quick as the prep. Each juicy mini loaf pairs with vegetables for a complete meal. I pack leftovers for easy lunches and enjoy how the flavors melt together overnight. Guests always notice the homemade touch.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaf and Veggies

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A spoonful of stuffed pepper casserole with ground meat, red and green bell peppers, cheese, and rice, garnished with herbs.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Hearty, colorful, and full of familiar flavors, this Stuffed Pepper Casserole makes dinner feel easy and inviting. Everything bakes in one pan without lots of extra mess. I reach for this recipe when I need a wholesome meal on a busy evening. Everyone raves about how every spoonful feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked rice casserole with melted cheese on top, garnished with chopped herbs.
Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Comfort food doesn’t need a long list of steps, and this Chicken and Rice Casserole proves it. Creamy sauce and filling bites make it a hero on busy nights. I love having leftovers for next day lunches. Each scoop feels like a warm hug at the end of the day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Hamburger Casserole

A close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of hamburger casserole, showcasing baked macaroni and cheese layered with ground meat and topped with lettuce and creamy sauce.
Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Mealtime feels a whole lot easier with this Hamburger Casserole, bringing homey flavors with minimal effort. Bubbling cheese and savory bites hit the spot for even the pickiest eaters. I often make extra so nobody has to fight over the leftovers. Less prep means more time for relaxing after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole being served.
Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layers of tender potato and a golden crust make this Potato Casserole an instant favorite. No need for fancy techniques or multiple pots. I save a portion for a quick breakfast later, since it’s good any time of day. Simple comfort meals like this never go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole in a white baking dish.
Tuna Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Easy to prepare and loved by many, this Tuna Casserole answers last-minute dinner worries with creamy goodness. There is always someone going back for another spoonful. I put together a double batch for easy grab-and-go lunches. A dish this simple turns out crowd-pleasing every time.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Casserole

Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

A dish of seasoned chicken breasts garnished with parsley, surrounded by carrots and potatoes in a bowl.
Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Stress slips away with this Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken, where the slow cooker does all the work. A flavorful dish greets you at the end of a busy day, no oven-watching needed. I store leftovers for those nights when dinner needs to be extra easy. A home-cooked meal never felt so simple.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs.
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Bubbling cheese, a savory base, and just a single dish define this French Onion Casserole. Comfort pours out of every serving, while the kitchen fills with an aroma that draws people in. I like saving a slice for an after-dinner snack. Fewer steps never tasted so good.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Cheesy Taco Casserole

A bowl of taco casserole topped with melted cheese, black olives, tomatoes, and green onions, with a creamy dip in the background.
Cheesy Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Dinner gets a flavorful upgrade with this Cheesy Taco Casserole, baked without lots of fuss. Scoops of spiced meat and bubbly cheese win over even the pickiest eaters. I stash away extras for taco-inspired lunches all week long. One bite always leads to grabbing seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Taco Casserole

Cowboy Casserole

Close-up of a cowboy casserole in a white dish, showing layers of ground meat and vegetables topped with a golden-brown mashed potato crust, garnished with chopped parsley.
Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Those craving big, bold comfort will love how this Cowboy Casserole makes dinnertime a breeze. Everything bakes up hearty in one dish, so cleanup is hardly needed at all. I often make enough for leftovers, since it holds up well for lunches. No one complains about one-pan meals like this.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Sushi Bake

A dish of loaded fries inspired by sushi bake, topped with avocado slices, diced cucumbers, green onions, sesame seeds, and drizzled with sauce.
Sushi Bake. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Rolling sushi gets replaced by this Sushi Bake, filled with layers of flavor but not the hassle. It’s served warm and scooped out of a single dish, bringing fun to the table. I enjoy sharing portions for a playful lunch the day after. Less mess, more flavor—everyone’s happy.
Get the Recipe: Sushi Bake

Sloppy Joe Casserole

A golden-brown baked dish with melted cheese and chopped herbs, being served with a spoon from an oval white casserole dish.
Sloppy Joe Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Classic sandwiches get an oven twist in this Sloppy Joe Casserole, making dinner fun and easy. Saucy, hearty flavors come together with hardly any prep. I like baking extra to stash in the fridge for later cravings. People dig in before you can even find a spatula.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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