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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    25 Grandma Approved Casseroles for Busy Weeknights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on July 16, 2025, updated July 14, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the perfect solution for busy weeknights, combining convenience and comfort in one dish. These 25 grandma-approved recipes are not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavors that everyone will love. From classic favorites to new twists, these meals will help you get dinner on the table without the stress.

    Million Dollar Lasagna

    Million Dollar Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Manila Spoon.

    This Million Dollar Lasagna features a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, all simmered in a well-seasoned tomato sauce. It’s layered with creamy cheese that adds richness to every bite. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Pesto Pasta Bake with Chicken

    Pesto Pasta Bake with Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Cooking Collective.

    This pesto pasta bake is a cozy dish that works well for a group. It features soft pasta mixed with tender chicken and creamy pesto sauce, all topped with layers of melted mozzarella cheese. Baked until it's bubbly and golden, this meal is simple to prepare ahead of time, making it a great choice for any night of the week.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This casserole is packed with chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will keep you satisfied. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and filling. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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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 weeknights, this casserole will satisfy everyone at the table.

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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 weeknights when you want a satisfying meal 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 hearty meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a potluck, this dish is sure to please everyone.

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    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed potato casserole.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is creamy and cheesy, perfect for a comforting meal. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights. You can even get it ready in advance, so it's easy to serve when you're short on time.

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    Eggplant Moussaka

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

    Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty dinner packed with vegetables and ground beef or lamb, all covered in a generous layer of cheese. This recipe skips the potatoes and Bechamel sauce, using more eggplant instead, which keeps it true to its Mediterranean roots. It's a healthy and tasty option that's easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.

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    Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls

    Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    This Southwest Chicken Lasagna Rolls recipe brings a warm and tasty dinner to your table in under an hour. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you can freeze any leftovers for a quick meal later.

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    Baked Five Cheese Ziti al Forno

    Baked Five Cheese Ziti al Forno.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    Five cheese ziti al forno is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table. This dish features a delightful mix of five different cheeses, all baked together until golden and bubbly. It's a hearty meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering both flavor and ease. Enjoy a cozy night in with this cheesy casserole that everyone will love.

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    Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

    A scoop of Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Flavorful Eats.

    Made with tender homemade Italian chicken meatballs topped with marinara sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese, this one-pan recipe for baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs will satisfy any comfort food cravings! These cheesy, saucy meatballs are perfect over pasta or added to rolls for the best meatball parmesan subs.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is simple to prepare and perfect for a busy weeknight. In just 10 minutes, you can have everything ready to go into the oven, and after 45 minutes, you'll have a delicious meal. This recipe uses both Cheddar and Gruyere cheese, giving it a rich and cheesy flavor without the need for boiling or complicated steps.

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    Zucchini Casserole

    Zucchini casserole.
    Photo credit: Masala Herb.

    This Zucchini Casserole is a simple and delicious way to enjoy fresh vegetables as the season begins. Packed with garden-fresh zucchini, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. This dish is comforting and satisfying, making it a great choice for family dinners.

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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 great option for a busy weeknight. This dish is simple to prepare and only takes about 5 hours to cook, resulting in a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for those evenings when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Baked Rigatoni With Sausage

    Baked Rigatoni With Sausage.
    Photo Credit: Sweet Caramel Sunday.

    Baked Rigatoni With Sausage is a pasta dish that everyone in the family will love. With just a few basic ingredients, this easy dinner comes together quickly and is perfect for busy weeknights. It's a comforting meal that brings everyone to the table.

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    Stuffed Pepper Casserole

    Stuffed Pepper Casserole.
    Photo Credit: The Clean Eating Couple.

    This casserole is both healthy and tasty, perfect for a quick dinner. It comes together in just one pan and takes less than an hour to prepare. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Turkey Pot Pie

    Sliced Turkey Pot Pie.
    Photo Credit: Sugar Spun Run.

    This turkey pot pie is a simple and homemade dish packed with fresh seasonal vegetables and delicious flavors. It's a great way to use up any leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe brings comfort and warmth to your table.

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    Pizza Pasta Casserole

    Pizza Pasta Casserole.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

    This pizza pasta casserole combines two beloved dishes: pizza and pasta, creating a cozy meal that everyone will enjoy. It's a simple dish that you can pop in the oven, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With its cheesy goodness and hearty flavors, this casserole is sure to please the whole family.

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    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole

    Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Savory with Soul.

    This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is packed with all the flavors of a classic cheesesteak sandwich. It features plenty of ground beef, melted cheese, bell peppers, and onions, all combined into a creamy and filling dish. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and satisfying.

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    Leftover Boiled Potato Casserole

    Leftover boiled potato casserole.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Leftover boiled potatoes can be transformed into a delicious casserole that everyone will love. This dish combines the familiar flavors of baked potatoes with a creamy and cheesy texture. It's a simple and quick option for busy weeknights, making it a great choice for dinner.

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    Veggie Loaded Tater Tot Casserole

    Vegetarian Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This dish features creamy vegetables covered with crispy, golden tater tots, making it a favorite for everyone. With just 10 minutes of prep time, it’s perfect for family dinners or a relaxing night at home. It’s easy to make, filling, and really tasty!

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked into a cheesy casserole. It’s a comforting and classy dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes. Using an oven-safe skillet means you can prepare it all in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

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    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This crock pot lasagna is a great meal to prepare ahead of time. With just a few simple ingredients, including uncooked lasagna noodles, you can have it ready in no time. Once you put everything in the crock pot, it takes care of the cooking for you.

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    Ground Beef Stuffed Shells

    STUFFED SHELLS WITH GROUND BEEF.
    Photo credit: 2 Cookin Mamas.

    This casserole is a warm and filling meal that everyone will enjoy. It features soft pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, all smothered in a rich pasta sauce and sprinkled with tangy Parmesan cheese. It’s a great option for busy weeknights, and you can have it ready in just 35 minutes.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      17 Veggie Loaded Dump-And-Go Dishes That Will Change Your Dinner Game
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      12 Delicously Simple Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes in Your Cooking
    • Tater tot casserole.
      25 Easy Crockpot Dinners You’ll Want to Make Every Week
    • Chicken and rice soup.
      20 Easy Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinners for When You’re Too Tired to Cook

    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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