52 Easy Casserole Recipes For Warm Meals On Busy Nights

These easy casserole recipes will have you breathing a sigh of relief on those busy nights when you are craving little effort.

By

Kimberly Holland

Updated on October 6, 2023

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables — Photo: Alison Miksch

How do we love casseroles? Let us count the ways. These easy casserole recipes are a cinch to prepare, portable for potlucks and other gatherings, satisfy the hungriest crowd, can be made in advance, save time on clean up, and are hands-down the most comforting dish to dig into. Every Southern cook has a favorite go-to casserole recipe, but there is always room for more.

Choose from dozens of our best quick and easy casserole recipes including classics like King Ranch chicken, lasagna, pot pies, and enchiladas. Or, add some variety to your go-to dinner rotation and try new favorites like Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-Up and Smoked-Pork-Stuffed Pasta Shells. Your casserole dish is also the perfect place to experiment with some of our tasty new takes on old-school comfort food favorites like French onion soup, sloppy Joes, and even pizza.

Whether you're looking for a weeknight dinner that will please the whole family or a company-worthy casserole for a special gathering, you can't go wrong with any of these delicious recipes.

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole — Southern Living

Less than 25 minutes of hands-on prep time? Sounds like we found our new ground beef go-to on weeknights. Serve with a green salad and garlic bread for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. Then slide into those slippers and cozy down for a relaxing evening.

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Marry Me Chicken Casserole

Southern Living Marry Me Chicken Casserole adding the basil to the casserole — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Marry (get it?) the flavors of the internet-famous dish with a creamy, comforting casserole. The whole family will be impressed—and ask for seconds.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Casserole

Southern Living Chicken and Biscuit Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve — ï»¿Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This casserole tastes like Sundays at Grandma's, except it's easy enough for a weekday.

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French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole — Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Turn your favorite soup into a more substantial dish with this comforting casserole. There is nothing like the smell of caramelized onions, and, in this case, the payoff unfolds in layers of irresistible flavors. This dish amplifies the richness of the classic soup you crave, and it's ideal to serve as a hearty family dinner or to pack up and bring to the church potluck.

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Extra Easy Lasagna

Extra-Easy Lasagna — Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin

We mean it when we say this casserole is extra easy. With only five ingredients, you'll have dinner prepared faster than ever before. The special trick here is the no-boil lasagna noodles that make all of the difference in prep, and that will aid in making your winding down for the evening even faster.

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Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole — Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Pizza and spaghetti all in one dish? Now that's a surefire way to make sure the kids clear their plates. You definitely can't go wrong with the appeal here, or the fact that this yields 6 servings in just over an hour.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole — Southern Living

The broad appeal of the Sloppy Joe just got a little bit more sophisticated. This baked version of the old-school classic dishes out a sweet and savory blend of sauce and ground beef that will remind you of childhood. You will not miss the bread, as the pasta in this easy casserole recipe really takes on the flavor of all the ingredients.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac And Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese — Becky Luigart-Stayner

Two of our family favorites come together to create the ultimate crowd-pleasing casserole. To cut down on prep time, the recipe calls for a number of convenient products like pasteurized prepared cheese product and cream of chicken soup. If you're really short on time, consider picking up a rotisserie chicken and buying pre-shredded cheese also.

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Ham-And-Vegetable Cobbler

Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler — Iain Bagwell

Flaky and buttery, this chicken pot pie alternative is great for the days when you're working without fresh produce. Any frozen veggies you have in your freezer will do. With frozen vegetables and store-bought pie crusts on the prep list, this savory latticed casserole only looks and tastes time intensive.

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Creamy Kale And Pasta Bake

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This gooey cheese and tender kale combination comes together in just half an hour. If you need to make things even easier, though, you can use pre-washed, pre-chopped kale and shredded cheese. Don't forget that adding greens such as kale to this cheesy pasta dish eliminates all guilt.

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Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

The beauty of this casserole? Most of the ingredients are pantry staples that you probably already have, and, if you don't, you can easily substitute with something else. We recommend egg noodles, but any type of pasta in your pantry will taste great in this recipe.

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Zucchini-And-Spinach Lasagna

Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna — Jennifer Davick

Meet your new favorite way to use fresh zucchini. This vegetarian lasagna recipe is the perfect meatless main. The ricotta and cream cheese boosts the appeal even more, making this a serious crowd-pleaser.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole — Hector Sanchez

The old-school easy casserole recipe takes us down memory lane to Mama's kitchen table on any typical weeknight. With a can of cream of mushroom soup and a splash of hot sauce, this casserole is a classic. This is also one of those great make-ahead-meal candidates. Assemble all the ingredients ahead of time, and this will land on your table at record speed.

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Chicken-And-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole — Hector Sanchez

Ready for weeknight meals or company, this chicken and rice casserole is made in a skillet and is sure to satisfy. Allow the nutty wild rice to soak up this dish's tangy country ham and mushroom gravy, and dive in. This is one of those recipes that will be bookmarked and offered on the family table multiple times.

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Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole — Hector Sanchez

Zucchini, squash, and corn blend together beautifully with a creamy filling that's topped with breadcrumbs and Asiago cheese. This takes the appeal of squash to a taste-filled level. For no-waste breadcrumbs, use a food processor to break up day-old sandwich bread.

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Savannah Red Rice

Savannah Red Rice — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

A regional rice delicacy delivered in a casserole dish, this flavorful recipe includes tangy tomatoes and smoky bacon. We know it's tempting, but the key to fluffy rice is leaving the lid firmly on the pot—no peeking! The result should be fluffy rice on top with grains on the bottom of the pot developing a crisp crust.

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Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole — Hector Sanchez

With fresh broccoli and a mix of mayonnaise and sour cream instead of mushroom soup, this broccoli-and-cheese casserole is sure to fit right into any dinner spread. This is comfort food with a bit of crunch and creaminess. Even the kids will love this rich, broccoli-forward dinner.

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Smoky Sausage-And-Grits Casserole

Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole — Alison Miksch

It's hard not to love breakfast for dinner. With all your favorite morning foods baked into one dish, this casserole has earned its spot on the dinner table. At the same time, don't forget to plan on waking up to this savory bite when you have a house full of guests.

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Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole — Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Forget flipping patties. Nothing says comfort food better than a bacon cheeseburger-inspired bake with a finishing layer of crispy tater tots. This is the best embodiment of a cheeseburger we know that hits all the right comfort food spots.

20 of 52

Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Ground Beef Recipes: Tomato ’n’ Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust — Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Budget-friendly and filling, this comforting ground beef and veggie combination is sealed with a cornmeal crust. Top with cheddar cheese and watch your casserole bubble with flavor.

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Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-Up

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up — Hector Sanchez

This no-fuss tamale casserole is a weeknight crowd-pleaser. Ground beef, corn, tomato sauce, and cornmeal come together beneath a layer of cheese for a hearty dish that will have the whole family asking for seconds. The perfect pairing to this would be a gorgeous salad of fresh greens.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole — Greg DuPree

Here's proof that comfort food doesn't take all day to prepare. With rotisserie chicken, canned sauces, and shredded cheese on the ingredient list, this easy casserole recipe will make your night. Add a tossed green salad and warm crusty bread, and your family will leave what they were doing and crowd around the table for a great family meal.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

The convenience of refrigerated piecrust makes this deep-dish favorite easy enough for a weeknight. If you don't have time to simmer a whole chicken, just substitute an equal amount of canned broth and the meat from a rotisserie chicken. You very likely won't have leftovers of this comfort food classic.

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Baked Ziti With Summer Vegetables

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables — Alison Miksch

Baked ziti has never looked better. Served with sliced summer vegetables mixed in, you're sure to make the most of your farmers' market haul. This hearty dish will have you satisfied and looking forward to long summer days, no matter the season.

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Smoked-Pork-Stuffed Pasta Shells

Smoked-Pork-Stuffed Pasta Shells — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Give your go-to pasta bake the night off. Use leftover smoked pork (or substitute chicken) from your favorite barbecue restaurant to make a next-day dinner that will thrive in the freezer for many meals to come. Stuffed pasta shells for lunch can be a real treat.

26 of 52

Chicken Cobbler Casserole

Chicken Cobbler Casserole — Southern Living

Buttery cubes of sourdough rolls make a quick and crunchy topping for this speedy twist on chicken pot pie. Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the market and add a jar of roasted red peppers to the cart, too. This makes for an easy-peasy dinner that stands out.

27 of 52

Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole

Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole Recipes — Photo: Jennifer Davick

You'll be impressed by how fuss-free this supper really is. This casserole is packed with a rich, meaty tomato sauce and refrigerated mashed potatoes and topped with crunchy, kid-approved fried onions. This is one of those easy casserole recipes you will come back to again and again.

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New Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips

New Tuna Casserole — Greg Dupree

Don't be misled by the term "new." This update on a tried-and-true classic still hits all of the creamy and cheesy notes of the original. The addition of potato chips lends a delightful crunch and strikes a flavorful balance.

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Chicken-and-Cornbread Casserole

Chicken and Cornbread Casserole — Ralph Anderson

Pick up a deli-roasted chicken if you don't have 3 1/2 cups of chopped chicken on hand. It yields just enough meat for this recipe. Make this casserole only one day ahead—it's one of those that doesn't freeze well.

30 of 52

Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna

Easy Pasta Recipes: Spinach Ravioli Lasagna — Van Chaplin

This top-rated spinach-ravioli lasagna uses convenient ingredients for a tasty supper that's as easy as can be. Store-bought pesto sauce, jarred Alfredo sauce, and frozen cheese-filled ravioli deliver a delicious main dish with little time and effort on your part. This will be a family favorite not just because it's a fast dinner fix, but because you won't be able to get enough.

31 of 52

Mexican Lasagna

Ground Beef Recipes: Mexican Lasagna — Southern Living

We guarantee this zesty casserole will be your new weeknight staple. The recipe was originally designed to utilize leftover ground beef and sausage. It makes a lot, but it refrigerates well and tastes wonderful reheated.

32 of 52

Classic Baked Macaroni And Cheese

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese — Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Food Styling: Angella Sellers and Vanessa McNiel Rocchio; Prop Styling: Melanie J. Clarke and Sissy Lamerton

This homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe beats the boxed kind any day of the week. Macaroni is a classic, but mix and match your pasta shapes based on what's already in your cabinet. This tried-and-true formula works with anything you can throw at it.

33 of 52

New Turkey Tetrazzini

New Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe — Alison Miksch

Loads of spinach and mushrooms freshen up this classic. Packed with turkey and stuffing, the new additions are welcome and delicious. You'll be serving up this spin for a more formal Sunday dinner just to show off,

34 of 52

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole — Micah A. Leal

This casserole starts as all the best meals do: with onion and garlic. From there, ground beef, beans, hot sauce, and tater tots combine with lots of other savory ingredients for a meal that will make you feel fueled enough for a trail ride.

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Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas — Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

With all the bite of a buffalo wing but the warmth of toasty tortillas and cheese, this casserole will go fast come mealtime. Soften your tortillas before rolling up all the creamy ingredients, then place your stuffed enchilada seam-side down. The sauces and cheeses will hold it all together.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Old School Squash Casserole — Greg DuPree

Smothered in creamy sauce and topped with crunchy crackers, this just might be the most delicious way to eat your veggies. It can stand on its own as a vegetarian main, but it also pairs well with just about any weeknight protein.

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Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

You can prepare this recipe one day in advance and chill the unbaked dish, covered, in the refrigerator. Bring this to room temperature prior to baking. This hearty casserole isn't light on flavor. Bacon, scallions, and sour cream build all the flavors of a baked potato piled high with all the fixings in a jiffy.

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Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Bake — Jennifer Causey

Layers of eggs, cheese, and potatoes make this casserole great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sprinkle bacon over the top and enjoy this tasty one-dish meal any time of day. Be sure to save this recipe for your next star turn at the neighborhood potluck.

39 of 52

Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole — Hector Manuel Sanchez

This vintage casserole with lots of Italian sausage is one of our make-ahead supper staples. Once you've assembled and chilled overnight, this simple recipe is just a bake away from the dinner table. You may even assemble this recipe in two smaller baking dishes: bake one for dinner and freeze the other for a later meal.

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Chicken Casserole D'Iberville

Chicken Casserole D'Iberville — Southern Living

Stock your freezer with this A+ chicken-and-rice casserole, and you have dinners ready to bake. For a family, divide the mixture into three 8-inch square baking dishes. To keep a bigger casserole on hand for potluck suppers, place the mixture in a 4-quart dish.

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Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas — Southern Living

Faster than fast food and way more delicious, these cheesy enchiladas come together in a snap. A quick spritz of vegetable cooking spray adds extra crispness to flour tortillas as they bake. One batch goes a long way.

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Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole — Southern Living

Did you know that King Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the United States and namesake of this dish, has no direct connection to the dish itself? Food lore can be so complicated. Cutting calories on this classic does not change what makes it so beloved. This top-rated easy casserole recipe makeover is every bit as creamy and satisfying as the full-fat original.

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Turkey Pot Pie With Cranberry-Pecan Crusts

Turkey Pot Pie Casserole Recipes — Tina Cornett

This pot pie features turkey tenderloins, caramelized onions, and fresh spinach for the perfect sweet-savory combination. This festive, fall-forward recipe can be made ahead and frozen. The trick to the toasty topping is speckling refrigerated pie crust with both sweet and savory additions.

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Chicken Cannelloni With Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

Chicken Cannelloni with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce — Southern Living

A creamy mix of chicken, spinach, and mozzarella turns manicotti shells into an impressively easy one-dish meal. Deceptively decadent, this pasta dish is a great freezer staple to have on hand. The roasted red pepper sauce lends a fresh sweetness to the companion ingredients.

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Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Cajun Shrimp Casserole — Southern Living

This hearty seafood casserole is filled with shrimp, cheese, and rice and gets its Cajun flair from the addition of okra, bell peppers, and cayenne pepper. It's a great choice for a special occasion meal. If you're not a fan of okra, you can leave it out of this dish.

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Chicken 'n' Spinach Pasta Bake

Chicken 'n' Spinach Pasta Bake — Photo Ralph Anderson / Styling Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling Pam Lolley

Italian-inspired and oven-ready, this dish is perfect for company, but it's also speedy enough for weeknight meals. Use frozen and canned vegetables for quick and easy prep-time. This is another great make-ahead dish that will get you through a last-minute dinner decision.

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King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken — Southern Living

Our King Ranch Chicken casserole blends smoked chicken, sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, green chiles, chili powder, roasted peppers, and toasted cumin to create a dinnertime MVP. This might end up being your all-time favorite version of a Southern classic.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Southerners love a good casserole, and nothing beats one that combines the ingredients of the beloved Kentucky Hot Brown. Toasted bread, crispy bacon, and creamy sauce make this a dish to rave about. Bonus, the turkey cooks in the slow cooker.

49 of 52

Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

In just 40 minutes, you’ll have this one-dish dinner on the table and ready for a hungry family or weeknight guests. Broccoli and mushrooms make this casserole feel light and worth a second helping.

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Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole — Greg DuPree

Satisfy your pizza-loving crowd with a pasta dish that’s full of their favorite toppings. Rigatoni bakes with olives, bell pepper, mushrooms, pepperoni, and Italian cheeses for a melty, flavorful meal.

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Ravioli Lasagna

Ravioli Lasagna Recipe — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

This quick, delicious casserole is short on time, but not on flavor. Thanks to refrigerated ravioli and jarred pasta sauce, this lasagna-inspired meal is ready to serve in 30 minutes. Fold in spinach during cooking, or serve with a salad for a balanced meal.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Fifteen minutes of hands-on time and you’ll have just enough time to kick off your shoes and relax before serving this quick take on enchiladas. There’s no need to fill or roll—just layer everything into the skillet, then cook and serve.

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