21 Recipes That Deserve a Spot in the Oven Tonight

When the oven is already hot, it only makes sense to put it to good use. These recipes turn simple ingredients into everything from hearty dinners and roasted sides to appetizers and something sweet. Pick one for tonight, or make room for an extra dish while the oven does the work.

Roasted Tomato Pasta

A bowl of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and chopped herbs, with a fork beside the bowl. — Roasted Tomato Pasta. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Roasting tomatoes concentrates their flavor into a deep, jammy sauce while you cook the pasta. With only about 10 minutes of hands-on work, the oven handles most of the effort before a quick stovetop finish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato Pasta

Oven-Roasted Cajun Turkey Breast

A close-up of a fork holding a slice of cooked, juicy turkey breast with a browned, seasoned crust. — Oven-Roasted Cajun Turkey Breast. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Cajun seasoning gives this oven-roasted turkey breast bold flavor while the skin turns crisp and the meat stays juicy. It works for a smaller holiday meal or an easy dinner when you already have the oven going.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Cajun Turkey Breast

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

A baked pasta casserole with penne, broccoli, chicken, and melted cheese in a white dish. — Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Chicken, broccoli, and creamy Alfredo sauce bake together in one pan for an easy weeknight meal. Just mix everything together and let the oven turn it into a warm, cheesy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables

Sheet pan with roasted pork chops, apple slices, Brussels sprouts, and diced sweet potatoes. — Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Pork chops and vegetables share one sheet pan for a flavorful meal that is ready in under an hour. Most of the cooking happens in the oven, so it is a useful dinner to add when the oven is already hot.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Roasted Vegetables

Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts (with Bacon!)

Roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon pieces on a white plate, served with a metal spoon. — Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts (with Bacon!). Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Brussels sprouts roast with maple, balsamic, and bacon for a side that balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. With just four main ingredients plus seasonings, it is easy to slide into the oven alongside dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts (with Bacon!)

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Roasted butternut squash with cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese in a white dish with a wooden spoon. — Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Butternut squash roasts with maple and cranberries before getting finished with pecans and creamy goat cheese. The mix of sweet and savory flavors makes it an easy seasonal side for a fall meal.
Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Oven Roasted Crispy Potatoes and Onions

Potatoes and onions need just 10 minutes of prep before the oven takes over. Roasting gives the potatoes crisp golden edges and brings out the sweetness in the onions with very little hands-on work.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Crispy Potatoes and Onions

Baked Meatballs With Gravy (In the Oven)

These savory meatballs bake until golden on the outside while staying juicy inside. Serve them with pasta, tuck them into sandwiches, or add them to the table as an easy family-friendly main.
Get the Recipe: Baked Meatballs With Gravy (In the Oven)

Baked Brie With Apples And Walnuts

Creamy brie bakes with sweet apples and crunchy walnuts until warm and melty. Set it out with bread or crackers for an appetizer that feels special without requiring much extra work.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie With Apples And Walnuts

Crispy Baked Buttermilk Ritz Cracker Chicken

Tender chicken gets a buttery, cheesy Ritz cracker coating that turns crisp in the oven. The contrast between the crunchy crust and juicy chicken makes this an easy family dinner worth adding to the baking schedule.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Buttermilk Ritz Cracker Chicken

Baked Chicken Taquitos with Peaches

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These baked taquitos wrap a savory-sweet peach and chicken filling in a crisp, cheesy shell. They are a fun change from the usual taquito and make good use of an already-heated oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Taquitos with Peaches

Boiled New Potatoes Crushed and Roasted

New potatoes are boiled, smashed, and then roasted so there is more surface area to turn golden and crisp. The centers stay fluffy while the edges become crunchy and irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Boiled New Potatoes Crushed and Roasted

Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

Roasted grapes bring a caramelized sweetness to nutty wild rice and herbs in this savory-sweet side. It is a distinctive addition to a holiday meal or dinner party when you want something beyond the usual sides.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Prosciutto and Pomegranate

Caramelized cauliflower is paired with fresh spinach and juicy pomegranate for a colorful roasted salad. The mix of warm roasted vegetables and fresh ingredients makes it especially nice for a fall or holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Prosciutto and Pomegranate

Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta

Butternut squash, cranberries, and feta bring sweet, tangy, and salty flavors together in a colorful roasted side. It is simple enough for a weeknight but still feels right at home on a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Feta

Quick-Baked No-Mayo Spinach Artichoke Dip (25-Minutes)

Fresh spinach and tender artichokes bake in a creamy, cheesy base until hot and golden. Ready in about 25 minutes, this no-mayo dip is an easy extra to put in the oven for game day or entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Quick-Baked No-Mayo Spinach Artichoke Dip (25-Minutes)

Baked Mixed Berry Fruit Crisp with Pecan Streusel

Sweet berries and tart rhubarb bake beneath a crunchy pecan streusel in this fruit crisp. It is a simple way to turn an already-warm oven into dessert without making anything too fussy.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mixed Berry Fruit Crisp with Pecan Streusel

Creme Brûlée Oven Baked French Toast

Custardy bread and caramelized sugar give this oven-baked French toast the rich flavor of crème brûlée. It is a decadent breakfast bake that works especially well for brunch or a special morning.
Get the Recipe: Creme Brûlée Oven Baked French Toast

Baked Queso Chicken

Chicken bakes in one pan with a creamy, cheesy queso topping and plenty of Tex-Mex flavor. A few pantry staples are all it takes to turn it into an easy oven dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Queso Chicken

Baked Ravioli with Creamy Pasta Sauce

Ravioli is layered with creamy pasta sauce and cheese, then baked until hot and melty. It gives you the comfort of lasagna with less work, making it a practical weeknight oven meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli with Creamy Pasta Sauce

Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust

A cornbread base, spiced chicken, sauce, and melted cheese bake together in this hearty tamale pie casserole. The Tex-Mex flavors make it a filling dinner that can go straight into an already-heated oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust