30 Effortless Casseroles Even Better Than Mom Used To Make
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Easy Casseroles hold a special place in our hearts—and it’s clear why! These one pan food classics are comfort food in a dish. Like a hug from mom. Simple, versatile, and ideal for prepping in advance. They move seamlessly from oven to table, meaning less cleanup. And these easy recipes are budget friendly and tasty.
If that doesn’t sound like a perfect family meal, what does?
We make casseroles at least a few times a month, and find they’re great for meal prep menus, holidays, potlucks, or even as vacation meals year-round. Whether you’re craving a taste of nostalgia, or looking for a unique spin on an old favourite, you will want to dish out these casserole recipes tonight!
You’ll find with everything from pizza casseroles for the kids, chicken & rice casseroles, and vegetarian mexican casseroles, to pasta casseroles and more. Bring everyone together with an irresistible meal fresh out of the oven!
Easy Casserole Recipes
1. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu, only easier, as it’s deconstructed into one pan.
Tasty layers of chicken, ham, and cheese are topped with a creamy, homemade sauce and a sourdough bread stuffing, making every mouthful better than the last.
I like how it seems fancy enough for a holiday meal or gathering, making it one of best chicken casserole recipes.
Get the recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu
2. Pork Enchilada Casserole
Bring out this Pork Enchilada casserole recipe when you have some leftover pork kicking around. Layer corn tortillas, leftover shredded pork, diced onion, shredded cheese, and homemade salsa for a hearty meal.
My partner Derek likes to make a roast for Sunday nights, then change up the recipes so we can use it up over a couple meals in the week. Which is where a casserole dish like this comes in.
Get the recipe: Pork Enchiladas
3. Walking Taco Casserole
Make your next Taco Tuesday even more fun, with a unique twist on a walking taco.
If you aren’t familiar with walking tacos, it’s a meal where you take a bag of Fritos tortilla chips, add in a spiced ground beef mixture & top with your favourite taco toppings & sour cream.
This dish is the casserole version, which would make a fun summer dinner.
Get the recipe: Walking Taco Casserole
WHAT’S FOR DINNER? NO PROBLEM!
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4. Easy Tuna Casserole
Tuna Casserole brings me back to sitting around the dinner table with my brothers and parents. It’s the ultimate in comfort food, and such a quick meal to put together.
It mixes ingredients you likely alread have on hand; canned tuna, pasta, peas, cheese and a creamy sauce topped with breadcrumbs.
Get the recipe: Tuna Casserole
⭐️ Also try these delicious Chicken Crockpot Meals for easy family recipes all year round.
5. No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
Nothing could be simpler than this No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole. With only five ingredients, and 5 minutes to prep you’ll have a meal the whole family can enjoy in no time.
An easy weeknight dinner , or a quick vacation meal to add to your family favourite chicken casseroles.
Get recipe: No Peek Chicken & Rice Casserole
6. Zucchini Squash & Corn Casserole
Zucchini Squash & Corn Casserole recipe is the ideal summer side dish. I mean we have to find recipes for all those giant zucchinis our friends, neighbours ad colleagues are trying to get rid of.
When zucchini season is in full swing, bring out this recipe full of vegetables with a crispy topping. It’s also gluten free, so perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole
⭐️ Try more top picks for Easy Kids Approved Dinner recipes
7. Crack Chicken Casserole
A picky eater’s delight, this creamy chicken, bacon, ranch casserole may just become your new go-to comfort food dish. It’s easy to prep, and a great choice for busy weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Crack Chicken Casserole
8. Easy Rigatoni Pasta Bake With Ground Beef
What could be easier than this Rigatoni Pasta Bake, made with pantry staples, ground beef and delicious gooey cheese. Perfect for any day of the week you are craving cheesy pasta. Plus pasta bakes are super kid-friendly too.
Our Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad would compliment the pasta bake nicely.
Get the recipe: Easy Rigatoni Pasta Bake
9. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
A tasty twist on classic comfort food. Broccoli Quinoa Casserole combines creamy white beans, broccoli, quinoa and cheese for an extra filling protein filled meal.
I love recipes like this for my family’s Meatless Monday cravings.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
10. Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole
Cheesy potatoes and chicken, yes please!
Chicken, veggies, and potatoes mixed with a ranch, herb mayonnaise all rolled into one hearty casserole. No need for anything else (unless you want it). Prep in only 15 minutes and let the oven do all the hard work for you.
Get the recipe: Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole
Check out these easy soup recipes perfect for cool weather comfort food meals.
11. Pizza Casserole
No my kids love anything that starts and ends with pizza, or pasta so this Pizza Casserole recipe is just the thing. All the classic pizza toppings including tomato sauce & melty mozzarella cheese, but with a twist.
Bonus you don’t have to make dough! A win, win in my books.
Get the recipe: Pizza Casserole
12. Baked Crab Casserole
Grab this comforting & budget friendly crab bake recipe, for when you’re craving a cheesy, creamy crab dish.
While it uses the more affordable imitation crab, feel free to substitute with real crab for an extra special occasion.
Get the recipe: Baked Crab Casserole
13. Green Bean Artichoke Casserole
Jazz up your green bean casserole this holiday season, or because you want a fun side dish for baked chicken, pork tenderloin or your favourite dinner meal.
Assemble the simple ingredients; green beans, garlic, onion, artichokes, and Parmesan cheesea day or two in advance & bake right before your gathering.
Get the recipe: Green Bean & Artichoke Casserole
14. Vegetarian Mexican Rice & Bean Casserole
This easy gluten-free & healthy Vegetarian Mexican Rice and Bean Casserole is full of veggies, brown rice and topped with melty cheddar cheese goodness.
This would also make a tasty vacation breakfast meal too.
Get the recipe: Vegetarian Rice & Bean Casserole
15. Pork Tamale Casserole
Authentic pork tamales, without the work of rolling them in the corn husk, sign me up!
This is making my mouth water right now. This recipe does take a bit of time with the roasting the pork , and making the masa dough & red sauce, but you’ll be happy you did.
Get the recipe: Pork Tamale Casserole
16. South African Bobotie
South African Bobotie is a flavourful beef or lamb curry pie, fancy enough for a Thanksgiving dinner but easy enough for a weeknight meal.
It usually is made with spiced minced lamb or beef, mixed with dried fruit, such as raisins or apricots, chutney and curry powder. Then topped with a savoury egg topping.
A fun take on beef casseroles.
Get the recipe: South African Bobotie
17. Easy Sloppy Joe Beef Casserole Recipe
Grab a fork for this instant family favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole. Bursting with flavour, there’s ground beef, sloppy joe mix and rotini pasta topped with diced biscuits.
Versatile, just add whatever veggies you like.
Get the recipe: Easy Sloppy Joe Beef Casserole
18. Pastel Azteca (Mexican Chicken Casserole)
Have some leftover chicken that needs a delicious recipe? Then this Pastel Azteca is for you.
Layers of tortillas, corn, chicken, and tomatoes in a slightly spicy & creamy sauce.
Get the recipe: Pastel Azteca
19. Baked Pumpkin Pasta With Zucchini
Enjoy Italy’s love of seasonal ingredients with this roasted Pumpkin & Zucchini Pasta Bake. Top it off with freshly grated Parmesan, and breadcrumbs for a savoury taste of fall.
Get the recipe: Baked Pumpkin Pasta with Zucchini
20. No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole
All the taste of stuffed peppers, but deconstructed into a casserole. This vegetarian version is stuffed full of beans, fluffy rice, peppers, cheese, tomatoes and herbs.
Get the recipe: No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole
21. Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole
Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole is comfort food at its best. It’s a classic comforting casserole with cream of chicken soup, rotisserie chicken (or pre-cooked), noodles & veggies.
Plus it’s easy to prep, and versatile to whatever you have in your fridge or pantry. My kids always ask for seconds.
This would make an amazing make ahead road trip meal too.
Get the recipe: Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole
22. Creamy Jalapeno Poppers Chicken Casserole with Bacon
All the flavors of cream cheese jalapeño poppers in a delicious full meal chicken casserole.
I love how you can just throw everything into one dish, and have a tasty meal in no time.
Get the recipe: Creamy Jalapeno Poppers Chicken Casserole with Bacon
23. Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage Pasta
Satisfy your craving for a hearty homemade pasta casserole, with these cheesy baked Italian sausage, ricotta & eggplant casserole.
I like to make a casserole like this when I’m craving a hearty pasta meal, that the kids will eat.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Baked Italian Sausage Pasta
24. Cauliflower Chicken Casserole
Tender chicken pieces go so well with the steamed cauliflower in a cheese sauce. So filling, and nutritious, no canned soup needed.
An easy and tasty way to use up leftover chicken and veggies.
Get the recipe: Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
25. Lazy Pierogi Casserole With Egg Noodles
We often eat pierogis in our household, and this deconstructed Pierogi meal has all the things we love about them in a casserole form.
The added sweetness of apple & a touch of maple syrup is a unique spin on this hearty hearty vegetarian casserole.
Get the recipe: Lazy Pierogi Casserole
26. Leftover Ham Casserole
Around the holiday season we find there’s always leftover ham in the fridge that needs eating. The Leftover Ham Casserole is perfect for this, as it can stretch a meal out in a budget friendly & tasty way.
I’ve also tried a similar recipe with leftover turkey, and it turned out to be a hearty comforting meal too!
But you don’t have to wait for a holiday to enjoy this delicious, kid-friendly meal.
Get the recipe: Leftover Ham Casserole
27. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is the ideal comfort food for busy weeknights. A flavourful mix of seasoned ground beef, corn, and pinto beans, is topped with a fluffy cornbread.
It’s made with popular ingredients, making it a cheap and easy casserole recipe to pull out often.
Get the recipe: Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
28. Easy Enchilada Beef Casserole
A foolproof Easy Enchilada Casserole with the bold flavors of enchilada sauce, layered with tortillas, ground beef, refried beans, cheese and salsa.
Even picky eaters will love this homemade meal.
Get the recipe: Easy Enchilada Casserole
29. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Rich, cheesy, and full of flavor, this loaded mashed potato casserole is the ultimate side dish. Simple to make, this gooey casserole is comforting and sure to be a new (or old) family favorite.
Get the recipe: Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
30. Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This creamy, keto friendly, low-carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is is perfect for dinner or as a fun party snack.
Packed with all the traditional flavors of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, it includes thin slices of sirloin steak, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and three kinds of cheese.
Get the recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
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Final Thoughts: Easy Dinner Casseroles
Our ultimate list of simple dinner casseroles highllights some of the easiest & delicious recipes perfect for any occasion. From hearty casseroles cooked to a golden brown, to quick casseroles that save time on those busy days, these dishes are designed to make family dinners enjoyable and stress-free.
Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a dish to impress at your next gathering, these recipes are the answer.
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