• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Casseroles for Busy Nights: Just Prep, Set and Forget!

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 27, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the perfect solution for busy nights when you need a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. With just a bit of prep, you can set everything in the oven and let it cook while you take care of other things. Here are 20 easy casserole recipes that will fill your family’s plates and keep everyone satisfied.

    Old Fashioned Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken baked on top of rice.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Chicken and Rice Casserole is a timeless dish that everyone loves. The chicken and rice are well-seasoned, and the rice turns out just right. This is a simple dinner option that requires minimal effort.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ravioli Bake

    Ravioli bake.
    Image credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This casserole is a family favorite that everyone will enjoy. It's cheesy and packed with flavor, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for busy nights, this dish is easy to prepare and can be left to cook while you take care of other things. It's a great way to have a hearty dinner with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    Buffalo chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    The Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is a quick and easy dish that comes together in no time. With just 10 minutes of prep, you can have a hearty meal ready in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, plenty of cheese, and even some hidden spinach for a little extra nutrition. This is a great option for a weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Monterey Chicken Casserole

    Monterey Chicken Casserole.
    Photo credit: Zona's Lazy Recipes.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and perfect for busy evenings. With a mix of zesty BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, it’s a dish that everyone in the family will enjoy. It’s a great option when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Tuscan Chicken Bake

    Tuscan chicken bake.
    Photo Credit: Heavenly Home Cooking.

    The Tuscan chicken bake is a creamy and cheesy dish that’s packed with flavor. It combines chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with pasta in a rich sauce made from coconut milk and cheese. This is a good dinner option for busy nights or a comforting meal on the weekend.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, creating a hearty meal that’s perfect for dinner. It’s satisfying and will likely provide you with leftovers for the next day. With minimal effort, you can have a delicious casserole that takes care of dinner for you.

    Get the recipe

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

    Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Ritz cracker chicken casserole features tender chicken in a creamy sauce, all topped with crunchy, buttery cracker crumbs. This dish is simple to prepare and can be ready in no time, making it perfect for busy nights. It's a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

    Chicken broccoli bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: From Valerie's Kitchen.

    This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is super easy to prepare and everything cooks together in one dish. It's perfect for days when you're short on time but still want a hearty meal. Just mix the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and let it do its thing.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan "Sausage" Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cozy Peach Kitchen.

    This pasta dish is baked right in the oven and features a tasty cashew "Parmesan" sauce on top. It's a simple way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Perfect for busy nights, this casserole is satisfying and easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole

    Chicken Broccoli Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

    This dish combines the classic flavors of mac and cheese with the creamy goodness of broccoli chicken alfredo. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare with minimal effort. Perfect for busy nights, this casserole is a great way to enjoy a comforting dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in about 5 minutes and on the table in under 40. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Enchilada Bake

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

    The Enchilada Bake is simple to put together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and freezer. It's delicious enough that your family will want it again and again. Plus, you won't even need to use your oven; just let your slow cooker do all the work.

    Get the recipe

    Meatball Pasta Bake

    Meatball Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Beyond the Chicken Coop.

    The Meatball Pasta Bake is a simple dish that cooks all in one go in the oven, so you don’t have to worry about multiple pots and pans. Using frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your favorite marinara sauce, this meal comes together quickly and easily. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a hearty dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole

    Crockpot Chicken Bacon & Ranch Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This slow cooker casserole puts a fun spin on the classic tater tot dish that many people remember from their childhood. The mix of chicken, bacon, ranch, and tater tots creates a comforting meal that's perfect for chilly days. It's an easy option that requires minimal effort, making it a great choice for busy nights.

    Get the Recipe

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna with wooden spoon.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    The easiest lasagna ever! Made with layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two types of cheese, it's a quick and easy one-pot meal.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    A serving of Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken enchilada casserole combines all the classic flavors of enchiladas in a simple, layered dish. It features corn tortillas, lots of cheese, and rich red enchilada sauce, all baked together for a comforting meal. It's a great option for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole brings all the delicious flavors of tacos into one easy dish. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it a satisfying meal. Perfect for a potluck or a simple weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to become a go-to favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This side dish is full of flavor, featuring layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. It's an easy option that can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for any meal. With its hearty ingredients, this dish is sure to be a hit at the table.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Biscuit Casserole is a comforting dish that comes together in one pot. It’s perfect for using up leftover chicken and combines simple ingredients like biscuits, frozen vegetables, and cheese. This meal is easy to prepare and is great for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features cheesy chicken and pasta, packed with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It's a hearty comfort food that's simple to prepare. Perfect for busy nights, this casserole is a satisfying meal that requires minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Pizza baked butter beans.
      23 Dump-And-Go Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
    • Chicken adobo.
      23 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Occasion
    • Pesto tortellini.
      19 Kid-Approved Vegetarian Dinners That Are Perfect for Summer
    • Zucchini casserole.
      22 Dump-and-Go Casseroles So Easy, You’ll Wonder Why You Didn’t Try Them Sooner

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Lazy lasagna.
      20 Casseroles for Busy Nights: Just Prep, Set and Forget!
    • Chicken gnocchi soup.
      22 Crockpot Comforts That Will Transform Your Dinner Game
    • Lemongrass chicken.
      18 Easy BBQ Dishes That Will Make You the Grill Master of the Neighborhood
    • 22 Easy Summer Dinners You Can Set and Forget

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB