17 oven-baked recipes so good you’ll want them again next week

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Oven-baked recipes offer a great balance of ease and memorable flavor, perfect for everyday meals. What sets these 17 recipes apart is how they fit seamlessly into a busy weeknight schedule, making them the kind you’ll want to include in next week’s meal plan as well. All of this makes your time in the kitchen as stress-free as possible, effectively taking the chore out of weeknight dinners.

A casserole dish filled with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

You can whip up this casserole in under an hour, and it’s filled with all the good stuff—steak, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Top it off with some provolone, and you’ve got a one-dish meal that’ll feed the whole family. It’s balanced, so you’re getting your veggies and protein in one go. Plus, it’s oven-baked, so you’ll likely find it easy to work into your regular dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a lifesaver for those busy weeknights. You toss some sausage and veggies on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work. It’s done in 30 minutes, and clean-up is a breeze since it’s all on one pan. The sausage really kicks up the flavor, and you get a balanced meal out of it. Perfect when you’re juggling a million things and still want something you’ll look forward to eating again.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

You’re going to love this if you’re into quick dinners that don’t skimp on flavor. Chicken thighs and spinach bake together with cream cheese and mozzarella, and it’s ready in 30 minutes. You’re getting protein and greens in the same dish. The cheeses make everything creamy and rich, perfect for an oven-baked dinner that you won’t mind repeating next week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

So you’ve got 30 minutes and need a dinner that checks off the veggie and protein boxes. Broccoli and cauliflower meet cheese sauce and bacon, making it a full meal that’s easy to put together. The textures really work together here: crunchy veggies and smoky bacon, all smoothed out by the cheese sauce. A weeknight oven-baked winner, for sure.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one’s a perfect dinner for enjoying all fall and winter long. You’ve got butternut squash and cauliflower oven-baked with bacon and red onion. It comes together fast and is pretty hands-off once it’s in the oven. The bacon gives it a nice smoky touch, balancing out the sweetness of the squash and the homemade dressing.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

For those who like a little heat, this casserole brings shredded chicken, bacon, and jalapeños under one cheesy roof. The flavors really mingle well, and you can dial the spice level to your liking. And you guessed it—it’s oven-baked, so you can work it into your weekly meal plan without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

It’s like fajitas, but easier. Seasoned chicken bakes with cream cheese, sweet peppers, and mozzarella. You’ve got a mix of spices, colors, and a little bit of heat. It’s the kind of oven-baked dinner that doesn’t require a lot of attention but delivers big on flavor. Plus, the prep is straightforward, making it a no-brainer for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ground beef and cauliflower rice might not sound exciting, but throw in some spinach and cheddar, and you’ve got a 30-minute oven-baked meal that hits the spot. It’s balanced, hearty, and the cheese ties everything together. Trust me, you’ll appreciate this one when you’re tight on time but still want a home-cooked meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Lemon Pepper Wings

A serving dish of lemon pepper wings with a wedge of lemon.
Lemon Pepper Wings. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Forget about frying; these wings are baked right in the oven. A lemon and pepper marinade keeps things tangy and just a bit spicy. They turn out crispy on the outside but stay juicy on the inside, all thanks to the even cooking of the oven. It’s practical and offers a different, yet repeatable, weeknight dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Wings

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nuggets on a plate with a cup of dipping sauce.
Keto Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

You can make your own nuggets, baked right in your oven. These are made from canned chicken and coated with crushed pork rinds. The inside stays moist while the outside gets a crunchy crust. They’re easy to make and even easier to bake, so they’re a quick addition to your oven-baked dinner lineup.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets

Pollo Asado

Pollo asado on a white plate with lime wedges.
Pollo Asado. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish features chicken thighs marinated in cilantro, onion, and citrus juices. The marinade is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time for added convenience. Once marinated, the chicken bakes in the oven, absorbing all the flavors from the herbs and citrus. The result is a flavorful and juicy chicken dish that makes it a staple choice for oven-baked dinners.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Golden baked jicama fries garnished with parsley on a plate.
Golden Baked Jicama Fries. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

These fries are made from jicama, a root vegetable, and baked to golden perfection. First, the jicama is boiled in water, seasoned, and then placed in the oven. This recipe takes little time to prep and cooks in the oven, freeing up your stovetop for other tasks. These fries are an uncomplicated side dish that pairs well with a variety of mains. You’ll likely find yourself making them again next week for their simplicity and oven-baked convenience.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Jicama Fries

Shawarma Kebabs

A plate of shawarma kebabs with greens and lemon slices.
Shawarma Kebabs. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s a high-protein dinner option that’s easy to assemble. Season the meat, thread it onto skewers, and place it in the oven. These Shawarma Kebabs offer a straight-to-the-point approach to a weeknight dinner, taking both prep and cooking time into consideration. Baking in the oven ensures consistent cooking, making this recipe one you’ll want to repeat.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Kebabs

Halloumi Fries

A person pulling apart a halloumi fry.
Halloumi Fries. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Halloumi cheese is seasoned and baked to create a unique side dish or appetizer. The recipe is straightforward and takes only 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s an excellent choice for those evenings when you’re pressed for time but still want something cooked to perfection in the oven. The ease of this dish makes it a candidate for frequent rotation in your meal plan.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Fries

Meatza

A pizza with meat and sauce on a plate.
Meatza. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Switch out the traditional pizza crust for a seasoned ground pork base in this uncomplicated recipe. The dish assembles quickly with standard pizza toppings and cooks in just 10 minutes in the oven. The single-sheet cooking method also simplifies cleanup. This is a convenient, protein-rich meal that leverages the consistency of oven baking, making it a good choice for regular meal planning.
Get the Recipe: Meatza

Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

A chicken bacon ranch popper skewered by a toothpick.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These poppers combine chicken and bacon with a homemade ranch dressing for a light yet flavorful dish. Everything is baked in the oven for ease of preparation. The ranch dressing is simple to prepare using common pantry items. Ready in under an hour, this dish suits both casual weeknight dinners and social gatherings, and its oven-baked simplicity ensures it’ll be on your menu again soon.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Low-carb zucchini pizza casserole in a baking dish.
Low-Carb Zucchini Pizza Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Transform zucchini into a casserole with basic ingredients likely already in your kitchen. With only 20 minutes of prep time, this dish is both efficient and nutrient-rich. Baking the casserole in the oven provides a consistent cooking process. It’s a straightforward recipe that frees up your stovetop and oven-bakes into a meal you’ll want to create again.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Casserole

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