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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Cheap Dinner Casseroles We Can’t Stop Making

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 21, 2025, updated April 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are a go-to for busy weeknights, offering a simple way to feed the whole family without breaking the bank. These 21 affordable dinner casseroles are not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor, making them perfect for any occasion. From classic comfort foods to creative twists, these dishes will quickly become favorites in your home.

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

    Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Honour System.

    This Creamy Chicken Pasta is packed with fresh veggies like spinach and tomatoes, all mixed together in a delicious sauce and baked until bubbly. It's a lighter take on the classic, using Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This casserole combines all the delicious flavors of tacos into a simple one-dish meal. It's packed with ground beef, salsa, and plenty of cheese, making it perfect for a potluck or a quick weeknight dinner.

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    Burrito Bake

    Burrito Bake.
    Photo Credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

    Burrito Bake is a simple and satisfying dinner option that combines ground beef, refried beans, cheese, and crescent dough. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

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    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Out Grilling.

    Cowboy Casserole is a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in the oven or on the grill. This version features leftover smoked brisket combined with rotel tomatoes, green chiles, and beans, all topped with cheesy tater tots.

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    Vegan Pasta Bake

    Vegan Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Nourished by Nic.

    This dish is warm, cheesy, and entirely plant-based. It's perfect for a comforting meal that everyone can enjoy.

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    Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole

    Easy Layered Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: What a Girl Eats.

    Layered enchilada casserole is a simple dish that eliminates the need to roll tortillas. With layers of ground meat, cheese, and mild green enchilada sauce, this is a family favorite.

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    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This vegetarian casserole features hearty white beans, filling pasta, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a comforting meal. It's a healthy and satisfying option for dinner.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

    Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Eggplant Moussaka is a simple dinner packed with vegetables, ground beef or lamb, and plenty of cheese on top. This version skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead for a healthy and tasty Mediterranean meal.

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    Potato Kugel with Seitan

    Potato Kugel with Seitan.
    Photo Credit: Cinnamon Snail.

    Vegan Yapchik takes the classic potato kugel to a whole new level. With a flavorful seitan filling mixed with garlic and sweet carrots, all topped with a crispy, golden crust, this dish is a hearty and satisfying meal.

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    Zucchini Ravioli

    Zucchini Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: Food n Service.

    Zucchini ravioli filled with dried tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, and herbs is full of great flavors. This is a healthy, low-carb version of a classic Italian dish.

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    Gorgonzola Tortellini Casserole

    Gorgonzola tortellini casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This tortellini casserole is perfect for anyone who loves cheese and pasta. It features two kinds of cheese, a zesty kick from Gorgonzola, and a satisfying crunch from walnuts, all ready in under 40 minutes.

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    Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese

    Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese.
    Photo credit: The Littlest Crumb.

    Creamy goat cheese mac and cheese offers a tasty twist on the classic comfort dish. The macaroni is enveloped in a rich goat cheese sauce with herbs and finished with a crunchy layer of bread crumbs and parmesan.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will definitely provide some leftovers. It's perfect for a satisfying dinner that doesn't require much effort.

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    Cattle Drive Casserole

    Cattle Drive Casserole.
    Photo Credit: 24 Bite.

    This is a filling and tasty layered dish that combines the bold flavors of the Old West with a touch of Tex-Mex. It's perfect for a cozy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    King Ranch Chicken Casserole

    King ranch chicken casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    This comforting casserole is a classic Southern dish that brings warmth to any meal. With gooey cheese, chicken, and southwest flavors, it’s a flavorful option that requires little effort.

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    Vegetarian Lasagna

    Vegetarian Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    This Vegetarian Lasagna is packed with 7 different vegetables and features a rich, creamy cheese mixture of spinach and ricotta. Layered with a hearty vegetable tomato sauce and plenty of cheese, it's a great dinner option for the whole family.

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    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

    Chicken Pot Pie Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    Chicken pot pie casserole is a cozy dish filled with chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, all covered with a fluffy biscuit topping. It's a great option for a satisfying dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Winding Creek Ranch.

    This easy dump and bake meatball casserole turns uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a delicious one-pan dinner! No pre-boiling of pasta or browning meatballs is needed - just layer everything in a casserole dish and let your oven do the work!

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a simple and cheesy dish that everyone will enjoy. It's the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in.

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    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 super easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Baked Brats in Caramelized Sauerkraut

    Baked Brats in Caramelized Sauerkraut.
    Photo Credit: The View from Great Island.

    Baked brats with caramelized sauerkraut is a simple and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner on a chilly evening. This classic German recipe is sure to please everyone, whether it's for a casual weeknight meal or a gathering with friends.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    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!

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