Casseroles are quick to prep, simple to put together, and a favourite with kids and adults alike. Keep scrolling for 18 easy recipes 👇👇
Why Casserole Dinners Work So Well
Casseroles are the weeknight hero-easy to prep, quick to bake, and everything you need in one dish. I usually throw a salad on the side for something fresh and green-it takes two minutes and makes it feel like I really have my life together.
If you have some busy weeknights ahead of you (who doesn't these days?) you're going to love these easy casserole recipes that will allow you to spend more time eating with your family and less time working in the kitchen.
How to Build an Easy Casserole Dinner
- Choose a base: Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes, or tortilla chips.
- Add protein: Shredded chicken, ground beef, sausage, ham, or beans.
- Mix in veggies: Bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, peas-fresh or frozen.
- Bind it: Use a sauce like cheese, tomato, soup, or a milk/egg mix.
- Season it: Add herbs, spices, salt, and pepper based on the flavor you're going for.
- Top + bake: Finish with cheese, breadcrumbs, or crispy onions, then bake until hot and bubbly.
Need a little inspiration? Here are 18 tried-and-true family favorite casseroles straight from my blog to get you started! 👇👇
Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole
All the flavor of stuffed peppers-none of the fuss.
This cozy casserole is packed with ground beef, rice, veggies, and melty cheese.
15 minutes to prep, the oven does the rest.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Broccoli just got a cheesy upgrade.
This cozy rice bake has fresh broccoli, three cheeses, and fluffy rice-serve it meatless or add chicken, beef, or pork to bulk it up.
Even the kids won't complain.
Tater Tot Casserole
This easy dinner uses simple ingredients-Tater Tots, ground beef, cheese, corn, and mushroom soup-for big flavor and texture in every bite.
Budget-friendly and crowd-approved.
Barbecue Shredded Chicken Casserole
Toss together shredded chicken, rice, beans, corn, cheese, and BBQ sauce-bake and done.
It's hearty, simple, and makes enough for two nights. Bonus: rotisserie chicken works perfectly here.
Hamburger Casserole
Love cooking with ground beef?
This cheesy pasta bake is the kind of easy weeknight dinner that disappears fast.
Serve with salad and biscuits-and watch everyone come back for seconds.
Bacon Cheese Pancake Casserole
Skip the flipping.
Just mix bacon, cheese, and pancake batter in one dish and bake-no standing at the stove required.
Fluffy, savory, and made for maple syrup.
Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and totally cozy.
This pasta bake is loaded with ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and melty cheese-all in one pot, no messy sandwiches required.
Kid-approved and weeknight-ready.
Taco Casserole
Taco night, made even easier.
This Taco Casserole layers seasoned beef, corn, beans, and cheese over crushed tortillas-baked until melty and golden.
Top with sour cream and tomatoes, then save the leftovers (if there are any) for lunch.
Baked Tortellini Casserole
Busy night? This Baked Tortellini Casserole is your shortcut dinner hero-just brown the beef, mix with tortellini, marinara, and cheese, then bake 'til bubbly. Fast, filling, and totally family-approved.
Easy Spaghetti Meatballs Casserole
Spaghetti night, simplified.
Toss cooked pasta, marinara, meatballs, and cheese in a dish-bake 'til bubbly.
Cheesy, cozy, and ready in 20 minutes.
Chicken Stuffing Casserole
Dump, bake, done.
This cozy chicken casserole uses soup, broth, stuffing, and chopped chicken for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Bonus: it makes plenty for leftovers.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Cheesy, crunchy, one-pan comfort.
This bake has creamy rice, tender chicken, broccoli, and a buttery cracker topping-all cooked in one dish.
Ultimate Chicken Casserole
Creamy chicken, bacon, cheese, and pasta-baked in one dish and topped with crispy fried onions.
An easy way to feed a crowd with minimal effort.
Chicken Olive Pasta Bake
Penne, chicken, olives, spinach, and peppers-tossed together and baked under a cheesy crust.
Use pre-cooked chicken and pasta to make this weeknight dinner fast and easy.
Turkey Leftover Casserole
Leftover turkey? Toss it in a casserole.
Layer turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce for a one-pan holiday remix.
Beef Cabbage Roll Casserole
All the flavor of cabbage rolls-none of the rolling.
Brown ground beef, layer with cabbage, rice, and tomatoes, then bake it all in one pan.
Pizza Pasta Bake
All the pizza vibes-none of the dough.
Toss pasta, ground beef, mozzarella, and pepperoni into one cheesy, baked dish. Bonus: use leftover pasta to make it even faster.
Ham Cheese Pasta Casserole
Put that leftover ham to work.
Toss it with pasta, broccoli, peppers, and a creamy sauce-then bake with cheese and croutons on top.
Casserole Cooking Tips
- Don't skip the pre-cook! Recipes factor in cook times-sometimes raw works, but not always. Trust the instructions.
- Cover, then uncover. Foil on for most of the bake, then off at the end = juicy inside, golden top.
- Let it rest. Give it 10-12 minutes before serving so it sets and slices cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Casseroles are perfect for anyone grieving, recovering, or welcoming a new baby-they're comforting, filling, freezer-friendly, and feed a crowd. Just check for allergies or preferences before choosing a recipe.
Yes! Overcooking can burn the top and turn everything mushy. Follow the recipe so the ingredients keep their shape, texture, and flavor-and your toppings don't burn.
Have a favorite casserole dish you love? Let me know in the comments-I'd love to hear what your family enjoys!
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