The best baked recipes aren’t always the most impressive, most elaborate, highest-tiered cakes at the bake sale table. Our favorite baking recipes from scratch are the ones we can easily bake at home, either solo, with friends, or as a way to entertain your kids for hours. Baking recipes aren’t meant to be just a means to an end (we’re not getting dinner on the table over here), they’re meant to be fun, creative projects with a satisfying (and edible!) payoff. I hope these 21 easy baking recipes inspire you to set yourself a new cooking challenge, just for the fun of it, or to spend a few hours in the kitchen with someone you care about. With cookies, quick breads, bao buns, and more, you’re sure to find a recipe you’ll love.

21. Easy Oven Baked Chicken Bites

Oven-Baked Chicken Bites are pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are seasoned and baked in the oven to perfection. Chicken, a few seasonings, and you are on your way to one of the easiest chicken dinner baked recipes out there. You might also want to try my Bacon Chicken Bites! With all the baking recipes out there, it’s nice to have an easy and flavorful one to put together in no time! These chicken bites will be loved by the entire family and can be made in just a few minutes.

They are juicy and seasoned well and I would even go so far as to say a healthier option than traditional chicken nuggets. You can serve the chicken bites with a side of asparagus or roasted green beans or over a bed of rice.
Get the recipe here.

20. Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs is a perfect family-friendly meal. Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs are cooked in one pan, topped with lots of cheese, and baked until hot, bubbly, and melted gooey gooey! Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs takes regular Spaghetti and Meatballs from ordinary to extraordinary! Are your afternoons busy getting kids to soccer practice or other sports or lessons? This Baked Spaghetti and Meatball dinner are perfect for those busy afternoons. Make the dish early in the day, and when you get home, simply pop it in a hot oven and bake for 30-ish minutes while you’re putting together a quick salad. Voila, a hot, satisfying, comfort food meal is on the table.
Get the recipe here.

19. Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Drumsticks

My Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks are a hit every time! With a sweet and tangy glaze, these baked chicken drumsticks are a family-friendly favorite. Making a quick honey mustard sauce sounds pretty self-explanatory right? Honey + Mustard = Honey Mustard. Well, for the most part, it is. A good honey mustard dipping sauce is delicious with all kinds of chicken or pork, and typically it has mustard, honey, maybe some mayo or sour cream, and a little vinegar for tang. This combo creates a luscious, creamy, honey mustard dipping sauce.
Get the recipe here.

18. Magic Crispy Baked Shrimp

We all have our go-to dinners. The ones we turn to when we need something on the table in less than half an hour that we barely have to think about. Well, this my friends, needs to become one of those baking recipes for you. It couldn’t be easier and it couldn’t be more delicious either. It’s a quick-baked method that turns out buttery, lemony, garlicky, CRISPY shrimp every time. So simple and just so very good – it’s a real winner.

It’s a recipe you don’t really need to measure for – you can use a little less butter there, a little more lemon here, a little extra garlic if you feel like it (always) – and it will still turn out amazing. That, coupled with the extremely delicious flavor and crispiness, makes it perfect for dinner on the fly. It’s certainly a family favorite, but it’s special enough that it works for the company too.
Get the recipe here.

17. Baked Chicken Breast

This oven-baked chicken breast recipe is coated in a simple, but flavorful seasoning mixture, and cooked to tender and moist perfection in less than 20 minutes! It’s a foolproof, delicious weeknight dinner go-to that will never let you down. This chicken recipe is one of my standard go-to’s. Paired with a side of vegetables and rice, you have a super easy meal on the table in less than 30 minutes! We’re big fans of chicken thighs, but more often than not, you’ll find chicken breasts in my shopping cart and freezer.

They are a standard in my cooking, but they never disappoint thanks to this simple recipe that is a constant lifesaver when I’m struggling with dinner choices.
Get the recipe here.

16. Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a juicy oven-baked chicken breast. The tender white flesh, steam pouring out of it after you make the first cut… your mouth starts to water just writing about it! One of the reasons chicken is so popular is that chicken breast is one of the cleanest, healthiest proteins you can eat. Of course, depending on how you cook it, that can change. Battered, deep-fried chicken isn’t as healthy as, say, a simply seasoned chicken salad. But compared to many red types of meat, and even to other parts of the chicken, the breast is high in protein and often has very little fat content.
Get the recipe here.

15. Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil comes together in just 20 minutes! This easy salmon recipe is slathered in a honey garlic butter sauce and then baked in a foil packet for the perfect flaky bite and is guaranteed to be your new favorite salmon baking recipes! It’s not necessarily by choice, but more out of necessity. It’s a quick easy 15 to 20-minute dinner that everyone in my family loves. My parents devour it and so do I because it’s a flavorful, no-fuss meal with easy clean-up. And believe me, we need all the no-fuss meals! Can I get an amen! Let’s get started! I love to use smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes and then top with fresh herbs after the salmon comes out of the oven.
Get the recipe here.

14. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole recipe from The Pioneer Woman is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes, bacon, cheese, and bites of potato skins. PLUS, it’s make-ahead and freezer friendly! This recipe is everything, and I mean everything. I have always been a sucker for baking recipes and making it in casserole form is just everything I need in life. Especially since you can make it two days ahead of time. As if the convenience of making it ahead of time isn’t enough, you can easily freeze leftovers! Read on for everything you need to know about this ultimate side dish idea!
Get the recipe here.

13. Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

This carrot cake-baked oatmeal is studded with carrots, pineapple, and walnuts and topped with a maple cream cheese frosting. Fancy enough to serve for Easter brunch, but healthy enough to make for weekly meal prep! While dreaming up carrot cake ideas, I decided to try a carrot cake-baked oatmeal recipe, kind of similar to my carrot cake overnight oats. It is a little more indulgent than your typical bowl of morning oatmeal so it’s perfect for Easter or Mother’s Day brunch… or just any ol’ Wednesday.

Maple cream cheese glaze is optional, but highly recommended! The glaze is what makes this baked oatmeal to the next level. It’s a delicious combination of cream cheese, maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla. To make the glaze vegan, just use vegan cream cheese!
Get the recipe here.

12. Mini Baked Parmesan Potato Rounds

Another great baking recipes are these mini-baked Parmesan potato rounds. These tasty little potatoes are covered in Parmesan cheese, seasoned with garlic salt, and pepper, baked until fork-tender, and then served up with a favorite sauce, like ranch dressing or some delicious nacho cheese. Basically, just cut the mini potatoes into thin slices, toss in a little oil, then add to the cheese mixture, shake to coat, place in a single layer on a couple of baking sheets, pop in the oven, and bake until fork-tender. Then enjoy by dipping these mini baked Parmesan potato rounds in your favorite dipping sauce.
Get the recipe here.

11. Baked Pasta with Sausage

Pasta bake with sausage (baked ziti) is basically a lazy day lasagna with layers of pasta tossed in a rich tomato meat sauce packed with Italian sausage, layered with lots of gooey golden mozzarella cheese, and baked to perfection. It’s an easy and delicious casserole dinner to make any day of the week. Plus, you can even make it ahead and freeze for another day. Pasta bakes are always a go-to in our family because they are easy to make and can feed a crowd. And the leftovers? These baking recipes taste even better the next day. Seriously. Plus, it’s a favorite for the kids (and obviously adults too!). And a crusty loaf of bread is always welcome alongside this pasta bake with Italian sausage.
Get the recipe here.

10. Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

Beloved feta cheese melted to perfection to make a creamy Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes. This trendy pasta dish is everything a feta cheese lover needs in carb form. Enjoy a dreamy dinner with this easy recipe. Truly the star that makes this dish great is feta cheese. What makes this recipe so popular is using a block of feta cheese and placing it smack dab in the middle of a baking dish with the tomatoes.

Although you can probably use crumbled feta cheese for the same end result it just doesn’t compare to the block style. Blocks of feta cheese are available at most grocery stores. Any pasta you have on hand will do although this recipe used cavatappi pasta. Feel free to substitute with low-carb pasta options (like spaghetti squash noodles) or gluten-free pasta.
Get the recipe here.

9. Pesto Salmon Bake

Looking for a good baked salmon recipe? This one has been my most popular salmon recipe for years. I think it’s because this Baked Salmon Pesto is a four-ingredient meal that’s ready in twenty minutes. If you’re looking for healthy weeknight dinner baked recipes that the whole family will LOVE, my pesto-crusted salmon is the best. Perfect for beginner cooks. Everyone needs a quick and easy recipe for nights when you just don’t have time to cook. This simple sheet pan-baked salmon with bright, herbal pesto and crunchy breadcrumb and parmesan topping is my ace-in-the-hole.

It takes about 5 minutes of total prep time and it’s just as easy to make for one serving as it is for ten.
Get the recipe here.

8. Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini

If you’re looking for cheap and easy dinner-baked recipes for your family, this cheesy baked tortellini casserole is THE BEST simple weeknight meal for picky eaters! Who doesn’t love tortellini? Cute pasta stuffed with cheese, yes, please. It’s even better when it’s tossed with a creamy meat sauce and then baked with mozzarella and parmesan sprinkled over top. This cheap and simple dinner recipe is perfect for busy moms and dads, especially on hectic weeknights when that’s all you want to do is eat and relax.
Get the recipe here.

7. Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

This cheesy white bean tomato bake is the ultimate easy and cozy dinner recipe. We take canned white beans, simmer them in a fire-roasted tomato sauce, and then smother them with cheese. Complete the meal with a side of no yeast bread with herbs and cheese. It’s delicious to dunk into the cheesy white bean tomato bake! You’re looking at the ultimate cozy recipe. Soft and warm white beans swimming in a flavorful tomato sauce and absolutely smothered in melty cheese. We turn this into dinner with a slice of bread to mop up the sauce and a salad if we’re feeling adventurous.
Get the recipe here.

6. Mediterranean Baked Feta

This Mediterranean Baked Feta is an irresistible, quick, and easy summer appetizer. Pile salty feta with sweet cherry tomatoes and herbs and heat in the oven until warmed throughout. Easy peasy! Personally, I loved the brightness of this dish – fresh tomatoes and herbs (I loaded it up!), salty feta…. Everything warmed so that the cheese was spreadable and the natural sweetness of the tomatoes came out. And the smell – amazing! Usually make this recipe without the olives, as you can see in the photos.

Also, I have made it with the olives and enjoyed it, but too many of my guests aren’t fans. Even, I like to serve this with pita pieces, although you can also do pita chips or crackers.
Get the recipe here.

5. EASY Baked Oats with berries

Cake for breakfast? Yes please! Baked Oats ‘cake’ that literally has the texture of a cake but is made with healthy whole ingredients, is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, refined flour-free, and dairy-free? YES YES YES! Baked Oats takes a super easy breakfast idea and makes it really fun. We loved discussing which flavors we would try next. It’s healthy, it’s sooo easy, there’s virtually no clean-up, the variations are endless and it’s like having fluffy, freshly baked warm cake.

For breakfast! But baked oatmeal is not just for breakfast. Hitting a mid-day slump and looking for a treat to have with coffee or tea? Reach for the baked oat cake or muffins and instead of a sugar high and crash, feel satisfied and sustained until dinner.
Get the recipe here.

4. Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup takes is rich and creamy and full of the flavors of a loaded baked potato, like cheese, bacon, and green onions. It’s warm and comforting, and simple enough to make it perfect for a cold weeknight dinner. Melty cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and sour cream are some of my favorite baked potato toppings and now I can have it all in one big pot of delicious, rich, and creamy loaded baked potato soup! I usually serve a tossed garden salad with it for a complete meal.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup is one of my favorite baking recipes to make for dinner any time of the year but especially during the chilly fall and winter months.
Get the recipe here.

3. Low-Carb Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

You’ll love this Low-Carb Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake which is the most popular zucchini recipe of all the Top Ten Low-Carb Zucchini Recipes on my blog! The other change I made was to switch this time from an 8-inch square casserole dish to one that was 8 inches x 11 inches. I really did like the way this larger dish let the zucchini spread out more so each piece was covered with cheese, but once again, take your choice on that!

And zucchini season is here or neatly here for many of you, so when you get zucchini from your garden or the farmers market, you must try this, or make it again if you’re already a fan! Sprinkle the remaining grated mozzarella or pizza cheese (and a little more Parmesan if desired) and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned. Serve hot and enjoy.
Get the recipe here.

2. One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake

This simple One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake makes for the best weeknight dinner. It’s an awesome twist on classic chili. Made with poblano peppers, jalapeños (for just the right amount of heat), and seasoned chicken. It’s spicy, creamy, and so delicious, with a bit of rice baked right into the sauce. Top each quick skillet dinner with cheese, bake, and then add fresh cilantro and avocado too. All that said, I love a simple, easy recipe. It just needs to have some spices, you know?

This chicken is exactly that, simple but flavorful, and we just love a dinner all made in one skillet. As the title announces, these baking recipes come together in a skillet. I use my Staub skillet, but any oven-safe skillet is great!
Get the recipe here.

1. Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan is healthy, easy, and delicious. A different way of slicing the eggplant allows it to stay super crispy even though it is baked in the oven. Do you love crispy eggplant parmesan? Although eggplant parmesan is a beloved classic dish, one thing people tend to struggle with is how to make eggplant parmesan that isn’t soggy.

I decided to take on the challenge with this Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan. First of all, I wanted to create a baked eggplant parmesan recipe because baking is easier and healthier than frying. In order to create baked eggplant parmesan that is crispy but still has enough sauce and cheese, I decided to change how the eggplant was cut.

Rather than slicing it into rounds, which is what most baked recipes do, I decided to slice the eggplant vertically into long planks. This gives the eggplant more surface area and allows enough room for sauce and cheese while the edges can still stay crisp.
Get the recipe here.

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21 Easy Baking Recipes That You Will Love!