Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: 12 Small-Dish Suppers With No Chopping, No Browning and No Week of Leftovers

Dump and bake dinners for two solve a problem most recipes ignore. Most casseroles are written for a family of six, and if it is just the two of you now, or just you, that means a big 9×13 pan of leftovers you are tired of by Wednesday. These dinners fix that. Everything goes into one small 8×8 dish, mostly straight from the package, with no skillet and no browning. You pour, you cover, and the oven does the work. You get two good plates of supper, or one dinner and tomorrow’s lunch. Number 7 uses only four ingredients. Which one will you try first..

Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

This is the one that started it all, scaled down for two. Uncooked rice, hot broth, a can of cream of chicken soup, raw chicken pieces and frozen broccoli go into one small dish, and an hour later you have a bubbling, cheesy supper. The only rules: keep the rice fully under the liquid and cover the dish tightly, so it steams. Check the chicken with a thermometer, too: it should reach 165 F, as shown on this safe cooking temperature chart. Here are the rest of the small-dish suppers..

You will need: 3/4 cup long grain white rice, 1 1/2 cups hot chicken broth, 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 2 small chicken breasts (bite-size pieces), 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli florets, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, salt, pepper, 1 cup shredded cheddar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Whisk the broth and soup in an 8×8 baking dish, then stir in the rice. 3. Scatter the chicken and broccoli on top and season. 4. Cover tightly with foil and bake 50 to 55 minutes. 5. Uncover, check the rice is tender and the chicken reads 165 F. 6. Top with cheddar and bake 5 minutes more.

Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: Baked Cheese and Tomato Pasta

Remember the baked feta pasta that took over the internet? It is even better as a dinner for two. Cherry tomatoes and red onion go into a small pie dish, a slab of feta or two rounds of goat cheese sit right in the middle, and the oven turns it all into a creamy sauce. Stir in hot pasta and dinner is done. Have you made the viral version yet?

You will need: 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 1/4 red onion (sliced), 1 block (6 to 8 oz) feta or 2 small goat cheese rounds, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 clove garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder), 1/2 tsp dried oregano, pinch of chili flakes, 6 oz short pasta, a few basil leaves.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Put the tomatoes and onion in a small baking dish and toss with the oil, garlic, oregano and chili. 3. Set the cheese in the middle. 4. Bake 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst. 5. Cook the pasta while it bakes. 6. Mash the cheese and tomatoes together, stir in the pasta and top with basil.

Baked Gnocchi With Marinara and Mozzarella

Shelf-stable potato gnocchi is the secret to this one, because it goes into the dish straight from the package. No boiling, no extra pot. It bakes right in the marinara until the little dumplings turn soft and pillowy, then gets a blanket of mozzarella for the last few minutes. It tastes like a long Sunday dinner, and like most dump and bake dinners for two, it is ready in about 35 minutes. Marinara or vodka sauce: which would you use?

You will need: 1 package (16 oz) shelf-stable potato gnocchi, 1 1/2 cups marinara or vodka sauce, 1/3 cup water, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, fresh basil.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Pour the gnocchi, sauce, water and Italian seasoning into a small baking dish and stir. 3. Cover tightly with foil. 4. Bake 20 minutes. 5. Uncover, stir and top with the mozzarella and Parmesan. 6. Bake 10 to 12 minutes more until bubbly and golden, then add basil.

Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: Lemon Salmon, Rice and Asparagus

This is the dinner that feels like a restaurant night at home. The rice bakes underneath in lemony broth while two salmon fillets and a bundle of asparagus cook right on top. Everything finishes at the same time, and there is only one dish to wash. Squeeze fresh lemon over it at the table. It is one of the lightest dump and bake dinners for two, and one of the fastest to clean up. Do you like your salmon with lemon or with a little honey?

You will need: 3/4 cup long grain white rice, 1 1/2 cups hot chicken or vegetable broth, 1 tbsp butter, 2 salmon fillets (5 to 6 oz each), 1 small bunch asparagus (ends snapped off), 1 lemon, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt, pepper, dill.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Pour the rice, hot broth, butter and the juice of half the lemon into an 8×8 dish. Make sure the rice is fully under the liquid. 3. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. 4. Lay the salmon and asparagus on top, brush with oil and season. 5. Cover and bake 15 to 18 minutes until the salmon flakes. 6. Add lemon slices and dill.

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs and Rice

Two chicken thighs, a little honey, soy sauce and garlic, and the oven makes the sauce for you. Rice bakes underneath and soaks up every drop, and a handful of frozen green beans goes in for the last stretch. The chicken comes out glossy and sticky, like takeout, only cheaper and better. Of all the dump and bake dinners for two here, this is the one many readers make every single week. Would you add a pinch of chili for heat?

You will need: 2 to 3 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs, 3/4 cup long grain white rice, 1 1/2 cups hot chicken broth, 3 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 cloves garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder), 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 cup frozen green beans, sliced green onion.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Pour the rice and hot broth into an 8×8 dish, keeping the rice under the liquid. 3. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil. 4. Set the chicken on the rice and pour the sauce over it. 5. Cover and bake 40 minutes, add the green beans and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, uncovered. 6. Check the chicken reads 165 F and top with green onion.

Sausage and Spinach Orzo Bake

Orzo is the best friend of a small dish. It cooks right in the broth in the oven, turning creamy like a risotto that nobody had to stir. Sliced cooked Italian sausage gives it flavor fast, a big handful of baby spinach wilts in at the end, and Parmesan makes a golden top. It is cozy, filling and ready in 35 minutes, which makes it one of the easiest dump and bake dinners for two. For a meatless night, swap the sausage for white beans. Sausage or beans?

You will need: 3/4 cup dry orzo, 1 3/4 cups hot chicken broth, 2 fully cooked Italian sausages (sliced), 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes or 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 2 big handfuls baby spinach, 1/3 cup heavy cream or milk, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Pour the orzo, hot broth, sausage, tomatoes and garlic powder into an 8×8 dish and stir so the orzo is fully under the liquid. 3. Cover tightly with foil and bake 25 minutes. 4. Stir in the spinach and cream. 5. Top with Parmesan. 6. Bake uncovered 8 to 10 minutes until golden.

Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: Buttery Pierogi and Onions

This one uses just four ingredients, and it might be the coziest plate on the list. Frozen pierogi go straight into the dish with sliced onion and butter, no boiling needed. The oven browns the edges, the onions go soft and sweet, and a little cheese melts over the top. Serve with sour cream and chives, and a slice of kielbasa on the side if you like. Is this one of the dump and bake dinners for two you would make tonight?

You will need: 12 to 14 frozen potato and cheese pierogi (do not thaw), 1 medium onion (thinly sliced), 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar. To serve: sour cream and chives (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Toss the onion with half the butter in a small baking dish and bake 10 minutes. 3. Add the frozen pierogi in one layer and brush with the rest of the butter. 4. Bake 20 minutes, turning once, until golden at the edges. 5. Sprinkle with cheddar. 6. Bake 3 to 5 minutes more and serve with sour cream and chives.

Green Chile Chicken and Rice

This is a gentle Tex-Mex dinner for nights when you want something warm and a little bright. A can of mild green chiles, salsa verde and broth go in with the rice, raw chicken pieces sit on top, and melted cheese finishes it. It is creamy, not spicy, and a squeeze of lime at the end wakes it all up. Like many dump and bake dinners for two, the leftovers make a great burrito for lunch tomorrow. Mild, medium or hot?

You will need: 3/4 cup long grain white rice, 1 1/4 cups hot chicken broth, 1/2 cup salsa verde, 1 can (4 oz) diced mild green chiles, 2 small chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces), 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack, cilantro, lime, sour cream.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Pour the rice, broth, salsa verde and chiles into an 8×8 dish and stir. 3. Toss the chicken with cumin, garlic powder and salt and lay it on top. 4. Cover tightly and bake 45 to 50 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken reads 165 F. 5. Top with cheese and bake 5 minutes uncovered. 6. Add cilantro, lime and sour cream.

Mushroom Pork Chops With Sliced Potatoes

Pork chops can dry out fast, but not when they bake on a bed of thin potato slices with mushrooms on top. The potatoes catch all the juices and turn golden at the edges, and two tomato halves roast right beside them. Use thin boneless chops so everything is done at the same time. Add a handful of greens and you have one of those dump and bake dinners for two that feels like Sunday on a Tuesday. Bone-in or boneless?

You will need: 2 boneless pork chops (about 3/4 inch thick), 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes (sliced thin), 6 mushrooms (sliced), 1 tomato (halved), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp butter, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, salt, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Toss the potatoes with half the oil, salt and pepper and spread them in a small baking dish. 3. Bake 15 minutes. 4. Lay the chops on the potatoes, season with garlic powder and thyme, and pile the mushrooms and butter on top. 5. Add the tomato halves. 6. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until the pork reads 145 F, then rest 3 minutes.

Dump and Bake Dinners for Two: Cheesy Stuffed Pepper Halves

Classic stuffed peppers mean browning meat first. These skip it. Two bell peppers are cut in half, filled with a mix of cooked rice, cheese and a little marinara, and baked until soft and melty. Use leftover rice or a microwave pouch, and add canned black beans or diced cooked chicken if you want more protein. A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end makes them look fancy. Red, yellow or orange peppers?

You will need: 2 large bell peppers (halved, seeds out), 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup ricotta or cottage cheese, 1/2 cup marinara, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, balsamic glaze (optional), salad greens to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Set the pepper halves cut side up in a small baking dish with 3 tbsp water in the bottom. 3. Mix the rice, half the mozzarella, ricotta, marinara and seasoning. 4. Fill the peppers. 5. Cover and bake 30 minutes, then top with the rest of the cheese and bake 10 minutes uncovered. 6. Drizzle with balsamic and serve on greens.

Creamy Coconut Chicken Curry and Rice

If you love takeout curry, this is the easy way to make it at home for two. A jar of mild curry sauce or a can of coconut milk with curry powder goes over raw chicken pieces, and the oven does the rest. Bake the rice in a second small dish next to it, or use a microwave pouch. It is warm and mild, your kitchen will smell wonderful, and it proves dump and bake dinners for two do not have to be plain. Do you like curry mild, or bring on the heat?

You will need: 2 small chicken breasts or 3 thighs (bite-size pieces), 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 1/2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp sugar, salt. Rice: 3/4 cup rice and 1 1/2 cups hot water in a second small covered dish.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Whisk the coconut milk, tomato paste, spices, sugar and salt in a small baking dish. 3. Stir in the chicken. 4. Put the rice and hot water in a second small dish and cover both tightly. 5. Bake both 40 to 45 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken reads 165 F. 6. Stir and serve together.

No-Boil Baked Mac and Cheese With Ham

Yes, mac and cheese can be a dump and bake dinner. Dry elbow pasta goes into a small dish with milk, broth and cheese, and it cooks right there in the oven. Diced ham makes it a full meal, and a buttery breadcrumb top gives you that crunchy edge everyone fights over. For another night, our family-size dump and bake dinners are perfect when the kids or grandkids come over. Would you add peas or broccoli to yours?

You will need: 1 cup dry elbow macaroni, 1 1/4 cups milk, 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 2 oz cream cheese (cubed), 1 cup diced cooked ham, 1/2 tsp mustard powder, salt, pepper. Topping: 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tbsp melted butter.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Stir the dry pasta, milk, broth, cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar, ham, mustard powder, salt and pepper in a small baking dish. 3. Cover tightly with foil. 4. Bake 30 minutes, then stir well. 5. Top with the rest of the cheddar and the crumbs. 6. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and the top is golden.