5 Cheap and Easy Casseroles to Add to Your Dinner Rotation

Need a quick, simple, and cheap dinner recipe to please everyone at your table? Nicole McLaughlin, a.k.a. NicoleMcMom, has you covered. Anybody who knows Nicole knows that she's on a lifelong mission to find the perfect bite, which makes her our resident casserole connoisseur. She rounded up five of her favorite cheap casserole recipes that come together quickly with budget-friendly ingredients. Here are the recipes you'll want to bookmark ASAP:

1. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Indulge in a little Tex-Mex flavor with a King Ranch Chicken Casserole. Convenient ingredients, such as canned soups and store-bought tortillas, make it as easy to prepare as it is to eat. Since Nicole likes her casseroles extra thick and creamy, she cuts back on chicken broth (she uses about one cup instead of two — but, of course, you can adjust the amount to suit your preferences). She also substitutes poblano peppers for bell peppers for more kick.

2. Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheddar Casserole

There's nothing like an old-fashioned Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheddar Casserole to bring everyone together. Even though the recipe calls for two cups of broccoli, Nicole likes to use three cups. She says, "Any time you can incorporate more veggies, why not?" Also, she opts for Panko breadcrumbs for their convenience and crunch. However, you could try our homemade breadcrumbs if you have the time. Serve this comfort food dinner with a baked potato, a light side salad, crusty bread, or over rice.

3. Cabbage Roll Casserole

This simple Cabbage Roll Casserole comes together quickly with few ingredients, so it's perfect for busy weeknights. It's not required, but Nicole likes to add allspice to the ground beef for subtle Mediterranean-inspired flavor. She likes to top this casserole with Greek yogurt or labneh and fresh dill. If you have leftover cabbage, use it to make dinner the next night — toss it into a stir-fry or throw together some homemade coleslaw.

4. French Onion Mac and Cheese

Nicole's French onion soup-macaroni and cheese casserole is decadence incarnate. Seriously, French Onion Mac and Cheese is the mashup we never knew we needed. She recreates the flavors you know and love by deglazing the pan with beef broth and sherry (if you don't have sherry on hand, just use red wine vinegar). Though traditional French onion soup often calls for Gruyère cheese, she likes to use Swiss to keep things affordable. Serve this as an entree or as a side dish with steak for a restaurant-worthy meal.

5. Easy Breakfast Casserole with Biscuits and Gravy

Wake up on the right side of the bed with this crowd-pleasing Easy Breakfast Casserole with Biscuits and Gravy. Of course, it also makes a great breakfast-for-dinner main dish! Nicole loves this recipe because, once you make the gravy, everything else comes together in the casserole dish. Just crack the eggs directly in the dish, scramble, layer the remaining ingredients, and bake — it truly couldn't be simpler. Top with fresh chives for a burst of color and flavor.

More inspiration from Nicole:

• 5 Cheap and Easy Chicken Dinners to Get You Out of Your Chicken Rut
• This Is the Secret To Achieving Ridiculously Crispy Chicken Wings in the Oven
• 8 Easy Ways To Make Budget-Friendly Chicken Thighs