A Month of Easy Weeknight Casserole Recipes

By Mary Shannon Wells

When weeknights get hectic, it can seem like takeout might be your only option to get a meal on the table. With these weeknight casseroles, you won’t have to make that decision. Casseroles are the easiest weeknight dinners to feed a family. These main dish casserole recipes are complete meals in themselves, so you only have to cook one item and you’re done. Plus, we all know casseroles freeze beautifully, so they make great weeknight dinner ideas to freeze and save for later. The kids will love these weeknight dinner casserole recipes, and because they’re so easy, you won’t mind making them. Casserole recipes are the best dinner ideas for filling up after a long weekday, and you only have to clean up one dish afterward. Southerners have perfected the art of the casserole. Casseroles can welcome neighbors, say farewell to the deceased, feed a church crowd, and of course, fuel your family on a busy weeknight. Get your recipe schedule ready—casseroles are on the menu this week (and every week after).

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1 of 26

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Nothing takes care of leftovers quite like a casserole that uses a little of this and a little of that to create a delicious meal—just like this one! 

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2 of 26

Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Recipe: Ground Beef and Pasta Casserole

This easy pasta bake recipe is ready in just 45 minutes for the busiest weeknights.

3 of 26

French Onion Soup Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: French Onion Soup Casserole

What’s better than a comforting bowl of onion soup? A bowl of onion soup in casserole form, of course!

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4 of 26

Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole

You can find a dish of chicken spaghetti casserole at most church potlucks, and for good reason: Everyone loves it.

5 of 26

Shepherd's Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

This slow-cooker version of Shepherd’s Pie makes the job way easier on the cook.

6 of 26

Chicken Taco Casserole

Evi Abeler

Recipe: Chicken Taco Casserole

Don’t bother with setting out bowls for toppings and the cleaning that comes with it. Put Taco Tuesday in one dish with this easy casserole.

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7 of 26

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

What were we supposed to do? Let this classic Louisville sandwich remain in sandwich form forever? If it’s from the South, chances are we can make a casserole out of it, and this one is incredible.

8 of 26

Italian Casserole

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole 

This vintage recipe is exactly what your kids need to fill them up after a long night of practices and homework.

9 of 26

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

When you tell the kids you’re serving cobbler for dinner, they might think you’ve decided to embrace an “eat dessert first” mentality. This delicious savory cobbler will change their minds to eat their dinner first.

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10 of 26

Sausage and Squash Lasagna

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Sausage and Squash Lasagna

Let your slow cooker help you with dinner tonight. The good news: Lasagna goes amazing with red wine after a long day.

11 of 26

Tater Tot Casserole

© Abby Hocking

Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you'll want to save yourself some leftovers to heat up in the morning. 

12 of 26

Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

It’s called a classic because this all-time favorite casserole recipe will never get old in our kitchens.

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13 of 26

Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole

This hearty casserole might not cut it for a light diet, but it’s so good that it’s worth a cheat meal.

14 of 26

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-Up

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Deb Wise’s Tamale Pie Mix-Up

Video: Deb Wise’s Tamale Pie Mix-Up

This Tex-Mex casserole has been popular for years, and once you try it, you’ll never question why.

15 of 26

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Don’t let those fresh veggies from the weekend farmers’ market go bad! Serve up this comfy dish with them.

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16 of 26

Oyster Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Oyster Casserole

Your family will be amazed that this fancy feeling dinner was ready in just 30 minutes.

 

17 of 26

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

You might as well pick a day each month to make this casserole because the kids will ask for it again and again.

18 of 26

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Rotisserie chicken and other store-bought ingredients make this indulgent casserole extremely easy.

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19 of 26

Mac and Cheese with Ham

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham

You might know mac and cheese solely as a side dish, but with chopped smoked ham, it will fill everyone up as a main dish.

20 of 26

Cheeseburger Casserole

Time Inc. Video Studio

Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Don’t fret with flipping patties—make an easy-to-make casserole inspired by classic bacon cheeseburgers.

21 of 26

Skillet Spinach Lasagna

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Skillet Spinach Lasagna

This satisfying lasagna begins and ends in one skillet, which makes it easy enough for even the busiest weeknight.

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22 of 26

Smothered Enchiladas

Southern Living

Recipe: Smothered Enchiladas

In just 35 minutes, you’ll have this amazing Mexican meal on the table. You’ll even have time to make some homemade guacamole to go with it.

23 of 26

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Recipe: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings is a true labor of love, but with this casserole, everything is layered in the pan and immediately cooked. You don’t even have to stir!

24 of 26

Tomato ‘n’ Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

This cheesy, beefy casserole is all kinds of satisfying when you’re craving something on the comfort food spectrum.

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25 of 26

Loaded Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole

MyRecipes

Recipe: Loaded Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole

This casserole combines loaded potatoes and buffalo chicken, so of course it’s amazing. We’ll take it with some extra hot sauce and a side of homemade ranch.

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