Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (2024)

Casseroles are the epitome of ease and simplicity, and will never go out of style. Whether a timeless favorite, like tuna noodle casserole, or an inspired take on a classic, any of our easy casserole recipes will hit the spot. Why are casseroles so popular? They're always comforting to eat and filling to boot—not to mention that most can be prepared ahead of time and baked when you need them. Better yet, you serve them right from the dish they're made in, making cleanup a snap when the meal is finished.

And casseroles aren't just for dinner. Sure, they're a welcome way to get supper on the table quickly, but we consider anything from a vegetable-packed egg bake for lunch or a sweet breakfast French toast to fit into the casserole category. Give one of these delicious recipes a try this week.

8 Mistakes to Avoid for Casserole Perfection

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Colcannon Shepherd's Pie

Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (1)

A creamy combination of mashed potatoes and Savoy cabbage sits atop this classic meat-based casserole. The simple, hearty topping makes something special out of an otherwise simple dish.

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02of 28

Eggplant Meatball Casserole

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These meatballs are made with eggplant, so they're perfect for Meatless Monday and beyond. They're cooked in an easy homemade tomato sauce before they're topped with plenty of mozzarella cheese.

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03of 28

Pepperoni Pasta Bake

Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (3)

Pepperoni pizza meets stuffed shells? Say no more! This easy casserole recipe has a generous amount of zucchini is hidden in each bite, but you'll be too busy enjoying all of the meaty pepperoni slices and gooey mozzarella and ricotta cheeses to notice.

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04of 28

Cheddar, Beef, and Potato Casserole

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This dish is the solution to the question, what's for dinner? Sautéed onions, ground beef, and mushrooms add bulk, along with frozen mixed vegetables and cheddar cheese. The topping, frozen hash browns, is crisped up under the broiler.

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05of 28

Baked Shells and Broccoli With Ham and Cheesy-Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (5)

Plenty of broccoli (and an entire head of cauliflower) add fiber and other nutrients to this comforting casserole. A topping of crunchy, golden brown breadcrumbs is the perfect complement to the creamy texture of the dish.

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06of 28

Chicken Divan

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A creamy, cheesy sauce brings together the chicken, broccoli, and mushrooms in this classic casserole. Using panko breadcrumbs on top adds just the right amount of crunch.

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07of 28

Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole

This vegetarian casserole is savory and satisfying thanks to a combination of Yukon gold potatoes, curly-leaf spinach, and plenty of fontina cheese. It can be baked and served in the same dish, which makes entertaining so much easier.

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08of 28

Turkey-Pastrami Croque-Madame Casserole

Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (8)

Feed your family this crowd-friendly casserole inspired by a French ham-and-cheese sandwich for breakfast or dinner. Swap the turkey pastrami for ham if you prefer but don't skip the fried egg on top of each portion—or the sprinkling of chives.

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09of 28

Broccoli-Cheddar Hash-Brown Casserole

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Sure to lure even laggards out of bed in the morning, this crowd-pleaser combines shredded cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and Greek yogurt with grated potatoes and broccoli for an irresistible meal, morning, noon, or night.

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10of 28

Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole

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Making French toast casserole is so much easier than standing at the stove flipping each slice one by one. We used rich, buttery brioche for this dish. It will absorb the custard as it soaks overnight.

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Salmon Noodle Casserole

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Serve this twist on an all-American classic for lunch or dinner. Chopped scallions and plenty of fresh dill add brightness and color to the creamy pasta.

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Broccoli Casserole

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Move over, green bean casserole. The base for this popular side is made with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sour cream, and gouda cheese. Then, broccoli is folded into the mixture before it's topped with crackers and baked until golden brown.

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13of 28

Taco Casserole

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Nachos meet tacos in this 30-minute casserole. Sauté ground beef, bell peppers, and onions with aromatics like tomato paste, spices, tomatoes, and pinto beans, then top with tortilla chips and a combination of Monterey jack and cheddar cheese. Who could resist?

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14of 28

Three-Pepper Corn Casserole

Corn casserole is an all-American favorite. This recipe spices things up by adding minced chipotle in adobo and pepper jack cheese to the creamy corn mixture.

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15of 28

Meatball Casserole

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This easy-to-make and easy-to-love casserole uses a combination of ground pork and ground beef. Plenty of mozzarella cheese is scattered on top and melted to ooey, gooey perfection.

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16of 28

Tuna-Noodle Casserole With Cauliflower

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We've upgraded this nostalgic side dish with a better-for-you twist—cauliflower florets add texture and heft to the creamy casserole.

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17of 28

Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast Casserole

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Make quick work of breakfast with this French toast casserole you can assemble the night before and bake the morning of. A cinnamon-spiced custard and plenty of raisins give the dish the flavor of sweet cinnamon toast.

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18of 28

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

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Talk about easy! This casserole is on the table in 40 minutes. It uses favorite shortcut ingredients like pre-cooked rice, frozen peas, and store-bought rotisserie chicken to streamline prep.

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19of 28

Sweet Potato Casserole

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This qualifies as the ultimate Thanksgiving casserole, but we love it year-round. Sweet potatoes are boiled until fork-tender, then transferred to a baking dish and topped with mini marshmallows.

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20of 28

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

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Cremini mushrooms and green lentils take the place of ground beef in this cold-weather casserole. It's super savory and it will feed a crowd.

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21of 28

Baked Mac and Cheese With Broiled Tomatoes

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Macaroni and cheese is delicious on its own, but cover it with breadcrumbs and bake it, and it's a whole new ball game. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the sliced tomato topping.

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Lasagna With Meat Sauce

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Making lasagna is a process, but so worth it. Our go-to recipe keeps things simple by using no-boil noodles. We use a combination of lean ground beef and sweet Italian sausage for the filling, plus a trio of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a creamy layer of cheese.

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23of 28

Panettone French Toast Casserole

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Here's the delicious answer to Christmas leftovers. Slices of panettone—the Italian holiday fruit bread—are submerged in a classic French toast custard and baked until puffed and golden brown.

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Sweet Potato and Sage-Butter Casserole

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Whipped sweet potatoes are decadent and indulgent beneath a layer of breadcrumbs. Chopped fresh sage adds warm, earthy notes to this perfect side dish casserole.

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25of 28

Hash-Brown Casserole

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Start your morning off with this easy-to-put-together breakfast casserole. Potatoes, scallions, shredded cheddar cheese, Cubanelle peppers, and sweet Italian sausage are combined for a truly hearty dish that's sure to satisfy.

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Mushroom and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

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A mixture of cremini mushrooms, black beans, and salsa is layered with halved tortillas and shredded Monterey jack cheese for a stellar vegetarian casserole.

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Susan's Manicotti

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This easy casserole recipe is one you'l want to make on repeat. Manicotti pasta shells are filled with mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese and topped with marinara sauce—and a bit more cheese—for an indulgent dinner.

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Sweet-Potato Shepherd's Pie

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Swap the usual Yukon gold or russet potatoes topping of Shepherd's pie for sweet potatoes; it's a clever riff that tastes as good as it looks. The filling is made with ground beef, cremini mushrooms, Pilsner-style beer, and Dijon mustard

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Our Easy Casserole Recipes Are Just Right for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What qualifies as a casserole? ›

The term “casserole” can refer to any dish prepared in a casserole dish—essentially a deep, wide baking dish—and baked in the oven. A casserole can have layers, as in the case of an Italian lasagna or a deep-dish pizza, or composed of some evenly distributed combination of veggies, a protein, and a starchy binder.

What are the basics of a casserole? ›

Basic Casserole Recipe
  1. 1 greased 2-quart casserole dish.
  2. 1 hot oven at 350-375 degrees.
  3. 1 starch or carb (for the base)
  4. 1 protein (for that stick-to-your ribs satisfaction)
  5. 1 sauce (for creaminess)
  6. 1 binder (to keep it together)
  7. additional add-ins like veggies (for crunch and plant-based power)
  8. toppings (for variety)

What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

What is the difference between a casserole and lasagna? ›

Casseroles are usually quick and easy. Some ingredients quickly stir together and are poured into a baking dish, topped with cheese, and baked. A traditional lasagna takes more time. Multiple layers, all made separately, then put together before baking.

What is a normal casserole? ›

"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a 'casserole dish,' it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size.

What are the two types of casseroles? ›

Overall though, the types of casseroles are main dish casseroles, side-dish casseroles, breakfast casseroles, and dessert casseroles. Main dish casseroles include hotdish, a Midwestern staple. Side-dish casseroles may include green bean casserole, mac and cheese, kugels, and gratins.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.

What is the difference between a dish and a casserole? ›

Definition: Casserole is the name of the dish used to cook with, whereas hot dish is the meal itself. Ingredients: Casseroles can contain any ingredients under the sun practically, where hot dishes have set ingredients they have to have.

How do I choose a casserole? ›

The material is the most important criterion, while then follow the size, the type of lid and the design. There are many options for materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or non-stick coating.

Does a casserole have to have pasta? ›

In English-speaking Commonwealth countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, the term casserole is most commonly used to refer to a dish of meat with vegetables (especially root vegetables) and a gravy-style sauce; dishes containing a large proportion of starchy ingredients, e.g., pasta or those ...

Do you bake casserole with or without foil? ›

It's best to follow the recipe since there is no one rule for when to cover. Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered.

Are casseroles always baked? ›

A casserole is a one-dish meal that's baked and served from a sturdy baking dish that's itself known as a casserole. Casseroles can be main courses or side dishes like gratins or the famous Thanksgiving green bean casserole.

What do Americans mean by casserole? ›

casserole in American English

1. an earthenware or glass baking dish, usually with a cover, in which food can be cooked and then served. 2. the food baked and served in such a dish, typically rice, potatoes, or macaroni together with meat or fish and vegetables.

Is a Pyrex dish a casserole dish? ›

Let us introduce you to our round Pyrex® glass casserole dish, both aesthetic and versatile. Ideal for family meals and special occasions. Its lid guarantees the freshness and flavor of your preparations, while its ergonomic handles provide a safe and comfortable grip.

What is also known as a casserole dish? ›

What is a Casserole Dish? Also known as a casserole pan, a casserole dish is a large, deep cooking dish renowned for its heavy-duty design and premium quality.

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