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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Lazy Day Casseroles: Set It and Forget It for Stress-Free Dinners

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on August 12, 2025, updated July 11, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the perfect solution for busy days when you want a hearty meal without the fuss. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can create 22 different lazy day casseroles that are easy to make and satisfying to eat. These dishes are great for feeding the family or for leftovers, making dinner stress-free and enjoyable.

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a great option for meal prep. It’s quick to put together with just a few simple ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles. Once you’ve assembled everything, the crock pot takes care of the cooking, leaving you free to do other things.

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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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    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna

    Cheesy No-Boil Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    No-Boil Lasagna is super easy to prepare, taking only 10 minutes of your time. You won't even need to boil the noodles before putting it in the oven. This dish is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

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

    This simple meatball casserole combines uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, and marinara sauce into a tasty one-pan meal. There's no need to boil the pasta or brown the meatballs beforehand. Just layer everything in a casserole dish and let the oven handle the cooking.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

    Slow Cooker Chicken Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    A tater tot casserole with chicken and bacon cooked in the slow cooker is a simple and satisfying meal. It only takes about 5 hours to prepare, resulting in a delicious dish that everyone will enjoy. This is a great option for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

    Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole combines the familiar flavors of enchiladas with a variety of healthy veggies, resulting in a hearty meal that appeals to everyone. Using just a few pantry staples and a slow cooker, this comforting Mexican dish comes together effortlessly. It's an ideal choice for a cozy family dinner and takes only a few hours to cook.

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    Cheesy Pizza Pasta Bake

    Pizza pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This pizza pasta bake is perfect for busy nights when you need a meal that comes together quickly. You can mix everything right in the pan, and there's no need to cook the pasta beforehand. It's cheesy and packed with delicious pizza flavors, making it a hit with the whole family.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake

    A creamy pesto pasta bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This creamy pesto pasta bake is rich and cheesy, all made in a single baking dish. It comes together quickly, taking less than an hour from start to finish. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner that feels special.

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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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    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, all baked together for a comforting meal. It's a great option for a healthy and satisfying dinner that doesn't require much effort. Just throw everything together and let it cook, making meal prep simple and easy.

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    Crockpot Mexican Casserole

    Crockpot Mexican Casserole with Ground Beef.
    Photo Credit" Haute & Healthy Living.

    This crockpot Mexican casserole is packed with all the delicious flavors you love from Mexican cuisine. It's a simple and affordable option that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook. With minimal prep work, you can enjoy a hearty meal that’s healthier than takeout.

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    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole

    Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    This cheesy tater tot casserole combines seasoned ground beef and vegetables in a creamy sauce that everyone enjoys. It's a comforting dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for busy nights. Just throw everything together, and you have a satisfying meal that the whole family will appreciate.

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    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Budget Delicious.

    Crockpot Ranch Chicken Casserole is a simple slow cooker dish that’s perfect for busy days. This meal is budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and loved by the whole family. It also works well as a freezer meal, making meal prep a lot easier.

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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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    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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    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

    Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This tuna pasta bake is creamy and packed with flavor, featuring canned tuna and mozzarella cheese along with a few other easy-to-find ingredients. It's a comforting dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for busy nights. Just mix everything together, pop it in the oven, and let it do its thing while you relax.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    The Meatball Casserole is a simple and filling dish that combines tender meatballs with pasta, all baked together in a creamy marinara sauce. With melted cheese on top, it’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This one-pan recipe is easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup, making dinner time a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole

    Slow Cooker John Wayne Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This casserole features tater tots, a southwestern twist, and plenty of cheese. It's a simple dish that combines comfort food with bold flavors. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is easy to prepare and will satisfy everyone at the table.

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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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    Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

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

    This chicken, broccoli & rice casserole requires very little prep and is mixed and baked all in one dish. It's an excellent choice for a busy day!

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    Baked Gnocchi with Frozen Veggies

    Baked gnocchi with vegetables on a Dutch oven.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This is an easy one-pan gnocchi bake that requires no chopping. It's filled with frozen mixed vegetables and a creamy cheese sauce, making it a comforting meal for the whole family. You'll be surprised at how simple it is to put together.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole brings the delicious flavors of chicken fajitas right to your dinner table with minimal effort. It combines hearty Mexican black beans and quinoa, and you don’t even have to cook anything beforehand. Just mix everything together in the baking dish and let the oven do the work. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      Cheesecake Dreams: 19 Recipes You'll Love to Bake - and Eat!
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      19 Deliciously Easy Crockpot Summer Dinners You Can Prep in Minutes

    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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