10+ Casserole Recipes for Dinner to Keep Your Evenings Easy and Delicious
When you want a meal that’s easy to throw together and feeds the whole family, casseroles just make sense. They bring a bunch of ingredients into one dish and keep dinner simple—and honestly, pretty satisfying.
Casserole recipes for dinner offer a way to make meals that are both tasty and convenient.
You don’t have to spend hours cooking or dirty half your kitchen to enjoy a comforting dinner. Many casseroles can be made ahead or use whatever’s hanging out in your fridge, which saves time and sanity.
That’s why casseroles are perfect for those wild weeknights or when you just want dinner to be no big deal.
Ingredients:
- Pasta or rice
- Meat (chicken, beef, or tuna)
- Vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, peas—whatever you like)
- Cheese
- Cream or sauce (cream of mushroom, tomato sauce, or broth)
- Spices and seasonings
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta or rice according to the package.
- Combine cooked pasta or rice with meat, veggies, cheese, and sauce in a baking dish.
- Mix it all up and season to taste.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the top’s golden and bubbly.
- Let it cool a bit before serving.
1) Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Baked spaghetti casserole is one of those dinners that’s just plain cozy. It mixes cooked spaghetti with a rich tomato sauce and a whole lot of cheese.
Pop it in the oven and wait for that cheesy, bubbly top. Want it heartier? Add ground beef or sausage.
Creamy cheeses like ricotta or cottage cheese make the inside extra nice. You probably already have most of the ingredients, so it’s a great way to use what’s on hand.
Pair it with a quick salad or garlic bread if you’re feeling fancy.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cooked spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown ground beef with garlic, then drain the fat.
- Mix cooked spaghetti, meat, and spaghetti sauce.
- Layer half the spaghetti mixture in a baking dish.
- Dollop ricotta or cottage cheese over it.
- Add the rest of the spaghetti mixture.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
2) Beef Noodle Casserole
Beef noodle casserole is one of those hearty meals that comes together fast. It’s just ground beef, egg noodles, and a rich tomato sauce topped with cheese.
Bake it until it’s golden and bubbly. Throw in mushrooms or corn if you’re feeling adventurous.
The cheesy topping really brings it all together. Like it creamy? Stir in some sour cream.
This casserole holds up well as leftovers, so lunch the next day is sorted.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups cooked egg noodles
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Optional: mushrooms, corn, black olives
- Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet; drain fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce and any veggies; cook a few minutes.
- Mix cooked noodles into beef mixture.
- Fold in sour cream if you’re using it.
- Pour into a baking dish and top with cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For more ideas, check this Beef Noodle Casserole recipe.
3) Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice casserole is all about comfort and simplicity. You get tender chicken mixed with creamy rice in one dish.
Add cheese, onions, or broth to bump up the flavor. This dish bakes slowly, letting the rice soak up every bit of goodness.
It’s a great way to use pantry staples and doesn’t take much prep. You’ll have a warm, filling meal with barely any fuss.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sauté onion in butter until soft.
- In a baking dish, combine chicken, rice, onions, broth, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.
- Let it cool a little before serving.
Find more details in this chicken and rice casserole recipe.
4) Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken noodle casserole is the definition of comfort food. It’s got tender chicken, egg noodles, and a creamy sauce all baked together.
Toss in veggies like celery or onion if you want more flavor or a bit of crunch. The crispy topping—usually buttered bread crumbs—makes it even better.
You just need cooked chicken, noodles, a creamy base (soup or broth), and cheese. Bake it all together and dinner’s done.
Ingredients:
- Cooked shredded chicken
- Egg noodles
- Cream of chicken soup (or a creamy sauce)
- Celery (optional)
- Onion (optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Buttered bread crumbs
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook egg noodles as directed; drain.
- Mix chicken, noodles, soup, celery, onion, and cheese in a big bowl.
- Pour into a baking dish.
- Top with buttered bread crumbs.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and bubbly.
5) Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole is a classic, easy dinner. You mix egg noodles with canned tuna and a creamy sauce.
Add veggies like celery or broccoli to bulk it up. A crunchy topping—crushed chips or fried onions—gives it a little something extra.
This dish comes together fast and bakes in no time. Use cream of chicken or mushroom soup for the sauce, and toss in some cheese if you want it extra creamy.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 2 cups cooked tuna (canned)
- 1 cup cream of chicken or mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chopped celery or broccoli
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- 1 cup crushed chips or fried onions
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook egg noodles as the package says.
- In a bowl, mix soup, milk, tuna, veggies, and cheese.
- Add noodles and stir gently.
- Pour into a baking dish.
- Top with crushed chips or fried onions.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
6) Dorito Casserole
Dorito casserole is quick, cheesy, and honestly a little addictive. You layer crushed Doritos, cooked ground beef, and cheese.
Taco seasoning and salsa bring the flavor. Baking it makes the cheese gooey and the chips just a bit crunchy.
Switch up the Doritos flavor or add veggies like peppers or onions if you want. Kids and adults both dig this one.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos (about 9-10 ounces)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning and salsa.
- In a baking dish, spread a layer of crushed Doritos.
- Add a layer of beef mixture, then cheese.
- Repeat layers, ending with cheese on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Enjoy your easy Dorito casserole!
Find more tips in this Dorito casserole recipe.
7) 4-Ingredient Hamburger Casserole
This casserole is for those nights when you just want dinner to be easy. It’s quick, uses only four ingredients, and chances are you have them all.
Cook the pasta and brown the ground beef. Mix with tomato soup and cheese, then bake.
You get a cheesy, hearty dish with almost no effort. Perfect for busy nights or when you’re just not in the mood to cook.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta shells
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (10-ounce) cans tomato soup
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or a mix)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta as the package says; drain.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet; drain the fat.
- Mix pasta, beef, tomato soup, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted.
More details here: 4-Ingredient Hamburger Casserole recipe.
8) Chicken Carbonara Pasta Bake
Chicken Carbonara Pasta Bake is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually pretty easy to throw together. You get all the creamy carbonara flavors—plus tender chicken and pasta baked into a bubbly, golden casserole.
Just cook up some pasta, then mix it with cooked chicken, crispy bacon, cream, eggs, and cheese. Pop it in the oven until the top gets that perfect golden color.
You can use leftover chicken if you’ve got it, or just cook some fresh. The cream and egg mixture pulls everything together and keeps it nice and moist.
Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked penne or macaroni pasta
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast, chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- In a bowl, whisk heavy cream, egg yolks, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Mix pasta, chicken, and bacon in a baking dish.
- Pour cream mixture over pasta and stir lightly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
If you’re craving something warm and cheesy, give this a try.
Find more details at Chicken Carbonara Pasta Bake on Allrecipes.
9) Tater Tot Casserole
Tater Tot Casserole is pure comfort food, and it’s honestly so easy. You just layer ground beef or chicken with a creamy soup base, then pile on those frozen tater tots.
Add in green beans or corn if you want to sneak in some veggies. Once the tater tots get crispy, toss some cheese on top and let it melt in the oven.
This one’s a lifesaver on busy nights. Leftovers? They taste just as good the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup green beans (optional)
- 1 cup corn (optional)
- 1 bag frozen tater tots (about 32 oz)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet; drain excess fat.
- Mix beef, soup, green beans, corn, salt, and pepper in a baking dish.
- Spread frozen tater tots evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until tater tots are crispy.
- Sprinkle cheese on the casserole and bake for another 5-10 minutes until melted.
10) Enchilada Casserole
Enchilada casserole takes all the best parts of enchiladas and skips the rolling part. Just layer tortillas, sauce, meat, beans, and cheese in a dish.
You can use beef, chicken, or go with beans if you want it vegetarian. The tortillas soak up all that sauce, and every bite is loaded with flavor.
Toss on some sour cream or fresh cilantro at the end if you’re feeling fancy. You can easily change up the spices or ingredients to fit your mood.
Ingredients
- 12 corn tortillas
- 1 lb ground beef or shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Toss the ground beef into a pan with onions, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brown everything together and drain off the fat.
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Grab a 9×13 inch dish and spread just a little enchilada sauce on the bottom.
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Layer four tortillas over the sauce. Add half the meat, half the beans, and half the cheese. Pour on some more sauce.
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Do it all again—layer up the rest of the meat, beans, cheese, and sauce.
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Sprinkle any remaining cheese over the top.
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Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes. The cheese should melt and start bubbling.
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Give it a few minutes to cool down before you slice and serve.