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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Dump-and-Go Dinner: 21 Casseroles That Almost Cook Themselves

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on September 25, 2025, updated September 25, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Casseroles are the ultimate solution for busy weeknights, offering a hearty meal with minimal effort. These dump-and-go recipes allow you to combine ingredients in one dish and let the oven do the work, making dinner a breeze. With just a few simple steps, you can create satisfying meals that the whole family will enjoy.

    Chicken & Rice Casserole

    Chicken And Rice Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

    Chicken and rice casserole is a great comfort food that's simple to prepare. It's a satisfying dish that combines tender chicken with fluffy rice, all baked together for a warm and hearty meal. This is a good option for busy nights when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 everyone, with leftovers for later. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen. Plus, you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    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, it comes together easily with minimal effort.

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    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake

    No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
    Photo credit: Cooking With Carlee.

    Dinner can be a breeze with this simple chicken pasta bake. It requires hardly any prep and delivers a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish is both easy to make and delicious.

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    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 a busy day when you want a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Meatball Casserole

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

    Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines tender meatballs and pasta all in one pan. It's baked in a creamy blend of marinara sauce, heavy cream, chicken broth, and gooey cheese. 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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    Cowboy Casserole

    Cowboy casserole.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Cowboy Casserole is a simple and satisfying dinner option that everyone will enjoy. With its creamy and cheesy layers topped with crispy tater tots, it's a hearty meal that's perfect for busy nights. Your family will love it so much, they'll be asking for seconds.

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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 satisfying 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 only takes a few hours to cook.

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    No-Boil Pasta Bake

    No-Boil Pasta Bake.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    A simple vegetarian No-Boil Pasta Bake comes together in just a few minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. With store-bought spaghetti sauce, some dried spices, and boxed noodles, this dish is easy to prepare. Plus, it's loaded with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, making it a cheesy delight. This is a great option for a quick meal that doesn't require much effort.

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    Taco Casserole

    Taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Taco Casserole combines seasoned ground beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, and cheese into a delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. This dish can be prepared in advance and even frozen for later use. It brings all the flavors of taco night into one easy-to-make casserole.

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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. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a simple and delicious meal option.

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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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    Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

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

    This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake is quick to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes, and it cooks in under an hour. It's packed with spicy buffalo sauce, has some hidden spinach, and is super cheesy. This dish is a tasty and simple option for a weeknight dinner.

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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 days when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to whip up. In just 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan meal without the need for boiling pasta or making a sauce. With a mix of Cheddar and Gruyere cheese, this dish is rich and full of flavor.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is all about simplicity and flavor, bringing you a warm and satisfying meal. With just a few ingredients tossed together, it's perfect for busy nights when you want something hearty without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's a great option for family dinners or when you have friends over, offering a cozy vibe that everyone will enjoy.

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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 combined with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, creating a hearty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen. Just throw everything together, and you'll have a satisfying dinner ready in no time.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly easy to make, requiring just one dish and no pre-cooking. Simply combine everything, pop it in the oven, and you'll have a warm and comforting meal ready to enjoy. With a mix of mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's packed with cheesy goodness.

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    Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

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

    This slow cooker casserole combines green beans, cream of mushroom soup, tater tots, and cheddar cheese for a simple yet satisfying meal. The layers of ingredients come together to create a hearty dish that everyone will enjoy. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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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 a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

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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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