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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Casseroles That Cook Themselves While You Relax

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 4, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the perfect solution for busy days when you want a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen. These 22 easy recipes allow you to throw everything together and let the oven do the work while you relax. From comforting classics to creative twists, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

    Pesto Chickpea Bake

    Pesto Chickpea Bake.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This chickpea casserole is a great way to use up any vegetables you have lying around. Just throw your veggies into a baking dish, add some chickpeas and pesto, top it with cheese, and bake it. It’s a hearty vegetarian dish that goes well with bread or can be enjoyed as a side.

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    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole
    Photo Credit: Mae's Menu.

    Instant Pot Tuna Casserole is a creamy and savory dish that brings comfort to your table. It’s a family-friendly meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes with just a few simple steps. Perfect for busy nights, this casserole is satisfying and easy to prepare.

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    Chicken Parm Casserole

    Chicken Parm Casserole.
    Photo credit: Golden Grace Kitchen.

    This casserole brings together the flavors of a classic Italian dinner in a simple, hearty dish. With tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, pasta, and gooey mozzarella, it’s a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare. It’s a great option for any night of the week when you want something comforting and delicious.

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    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal that everyone in the family will appreciate. It features ground beef, carrots, peas, and some other everyday ingredients, all topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This dish is simple to prepare and is sure to become a go-to favorite.

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    Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

    Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish is a great option for a filling meal. With tender Russet potatoes, ground beef, and straightforward flavors, it’s sure to be a hit with the family. It’s an easy way to put together a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Ranch Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Ranch potato bake.
    Photo credit: The Food Blog.

    Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole with broccoli, bacon, and cheese is a great comfort food option. It's really easy to prepare and only requires one pan, making cleanup a breeze. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Vegan Pasta

    Vegan pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Plant Based Folk.

    This creamy vegan pasta bake is simple to prepare and loaded with veggies. It bakes in the oven without the need for boiling the pasta first, making it a convenient option for meal prep. Enjoy it hot right out of the oven or let it cool for a tasty cold dish later.

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    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.

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    Tuna Sushi Bake

    Tuna Sushi Bake on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This easy sushi bake combines rice, canned tuna, slivered nori, and a spicy mayo drizzle. It's a simple casserole that works well for weeknight dinners and meal prep, making it a great option for gatherings and dinner parties.

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    Southwest chicken casserole.
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a hearty meal that brings together tender chicken, flavorful spices, and melted cheese in a single dish. It features a simple mix of salsa Verde, black beans, and southwest seasoning, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can skip the step of boiling the pasta, which saves time and effort. As it bakes, a creamy sauce develops that brings everything together beautifully.

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    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.

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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 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.

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    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Enchilada bake.
    Photo credit: Confessions of a Fit Foodie.

    This dish brings together all the great flavors of enchiladas in a simple one-pot casserole. With no need to roll tortillas or bake anything, it’s an easy way to enjoy a hearty meal. Just layer tortillas, juicy chicken, and plenty of cheese for a comforting dinner that everyone will enjoy.

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    Baked Tortellini

    20 Minute Baked Tortellini.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    The Cheesy Tortellini Bake is a quick and easy dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes using fewer than 10 ingredients, all in a single pan. It's perfect for busy nights when you want a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish combines cheesy goodness with tender tortellini, making it a family favorite.

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    Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna

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

    This lasagna is super simple to make. It has layers of meat, noodles, sauce, and two kinds of cheese, all coming together in one pot. It's a great option for a quick meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This is a delicious side packed with flavor and layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. Learn how to make this recipe easily for a special side dish that’s sure to please!

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    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    This dish offers a simple way to enjoy enchiladas without the fuss of rolling them up. You can use either ground beef or ground turkey, making it a flexible option for your meal. It's a great choice for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit; The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a delicious dish that everyone in the family will love. This easy one-pot meal combines some favorite ingredients and is hearty enough to serve a crowd. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    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.

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    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    No Boil Stuffed Pepper Casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Piper Cooks.

    This casserole is simple to prepare and doesn't require boiling anything. It combines bell peppers, navy beans, long-grain white rice, and a tasty tomato sauce with Italian spices. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 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.

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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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