Casseroles are arguably one of the best culinary inventions out there. These cheap casseroles are a quick and easy one-pot meal that can transform humble, affordable ingredients into delicious comfort food.
Not to mention, most casseroles are super leftover-friendly! One batch can feed you and your family for a couple of meals (if not more).
Save on time, money, and energy with these twenty-one cheap casserole recipes. Don’t worry, they’re also delicious and good for you.
1. Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
Let’s kick things off with one of my favorites: my stuffed pepper casserole. Stuffed peppers are already delicious, but when I’m craving comfort food, the casserole version is a must.
This high protein casserole is a heart-warming recipe rich in protein, nutrients, and energy. A balanced choice for a weeknight meal.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 386
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 3.3g
• Sugar: 4.6g
2. Sausage and Spinach Breakfast Casserole
Source: allnutritious.com
Breakfast casseroles are in a league of their own. They make breakfast so easy that you don’t have to worry about it every morning.
The prep time only takes a few minutes, but this does need a little bit of additional planning thanks to the long chill time. In other words, it’s great for meal prepping.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 407
• Fats: 31g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 8.1g
• Fiber: 1.9g
• Sugar: 4g
3. Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole
Source: neilshealthymeals.com
Mediterranean diets are renowned worldwide for their reliance on whole foods and healthy ingredients. Any casserole that uses a Mediterranean style is going to be super healthy.
The best part about this recipe is how delicious it is. While it’s super good for you, you’ll almost forget that in the face of how good it tastes.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 340
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 18.9g
• Carbs: 59.1g
• Fiber: 12.8g
• Sugar: 10.4g
4. Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef
Source: thefreshcooky.com
Looking for a quick and easy meal with plenty of protein? This one-pan casserole is packed with zucchini to add a ton of nutrients and fiber to the mix.
Topped with a layer of melted cheese, this is a comforting, luxurious weeknight meal.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 468
• Fats: 38g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 9g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
5. Chicken Veggie Casserole
Source: sweetlysplendid.com
Chicken and vegetables can get a little boring after a while, so why not change it up and enjoy that combo as a casserole instead.
The sauce is what really transforms this casserole into a comfort food classic. In total, this only takes about an hour to make, so it’s the perfect mid-week family-friendly dinner.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 288
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 33g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
6. Pizza Casserole
Source: quichemygrits.com
While pizza is undoubtedly good for the soul, it’s not always the healthiest choice for a family dinner. If you’re craving some cheesy goodness, why not give a pizza casserole a try?
The pasta acts as the ‘pizza base’, totally coated in rich marinara to echo the pizza sauce. From there, you can top your pasta with anything you like to create the ultimate pizza substitute.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 336
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
7. Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Source: nibbleanddine.com
Tater tots are one of my favorite kid-friendly casserole ingredients. Why? Because no matter what else you put in your casserole, your little ones will chow down if tater tots are involved!
This chicken and tater tot casserole is packed with protein and vegetables, so it’s a balanced meal that will net no complaints.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 303
• Fats: 16.8g
• Protein: 13.9g
• Carbs: 24.7g
• Fiber: 3.1g
• Sugar: 2.8g
8. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Source: quichemygrits.com
Sometimes the best place to look for a great casserole recipe is the past. This old-fashioned recipe only needs six ingredients to come together.
Comforting and quick, this easy high protein meal is a great recipe for your next potluck dinner.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 242
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
9. Lazy Pierogi Casserole
Source: anediblemosaic.com
Pierogis – or Polish potato dumplings – are absolutely delicious. That said, they also take a ton of time and energy to make! So, why not enjoy those same flavors in casserole form?
This cheap dinner recipe is a rich, comforting dish you’ll make again and again. You can even customize it to mirror your existing pierogi recipe.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 351
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 51g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 15g
10. Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
Source: simpleandsavory.com
Enchiladas are the ultimate comfort food. Rich enchilada sauce, layers of tortilla, and melted cheese? Sign me up!
The problem is, anyone who doesn’t eat meat might have some trouble enjoying this classic Mexican dish. Or at least, they did. This vegetarian enchilada casserole solves that problem easily.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 418
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 34g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 8g
11. Chicken Noodle Casserole
Source: anediblemosaic.com
Looking for a thirty-minute dinner that’s balanced, but delicious? Here’s a chicken noodle casserole that comes together in no time (with no canned soup in the recipe).
This is a budget-friendly choice that you can easily make with whatever you have in your pantry.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 585
• Fats: 27g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 58g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 11g
12. Ham Rice Casserole with Brussels Sprouts
Source: mommyevolution.com
Speaking of budget-friendly options, here’s an affordable casserole that will get your kids to eat their brussels sprouts! Ham, cheese, rice and smashed sprouts are the main ingredients here.
That makes this a balanced, cheap casserole dish the whole family can enjoy.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 697
• Fats: 55g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 27g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
13. Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake
Source: xoxobella.com
Personally, I believe that casseroles are one of the best places to play with flavors from different areas of the world. Then, you create masterpieces like this fiesta chicken pasta casserole!
Blending Mexican and Italian flavors, this cheap pasta recipe is a rich and creamy option your whole family will love.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 612
• Fats: 37g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 46g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sugar: 12g
14. Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
Source: thriftyjinxy.com
Bacon cheeseburgers are super tempting, but they’re not always the healthiest choice. That’s why I love making this tater tot casserole instead of getting takeout!
The crispy layer of tater tots is the perfect cap to a rich, bacon-y layer of ground beef on the bottom. Top with some pickles and a sauce, and you’ve got the ultimate weeknight treat.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 874
• Fats: 63g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 38g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g
15. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Source: ihearteating.com
When it comes to making affordable casseroles, one of my favorite places to start is with canned ingredients. Canned tuna is cheap, delicious, and rich in protein.
This dish is a retro classic for a reason. Made with pantry staples, this comes together in just twenty minutes.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 356
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 47g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g
16. Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
Source: lisasdinnertimedish.com
I don’t know about you, but the idea of having pizza for dinner as often as I want is a dream come true. For this next casserole, we’re leaning into that dream with a little help from Chicago’s most iconic dish.
This deep dish pizza casserole will be a guaranteed family favorite. Make it your own with an assortment of your favorite pizza toppings!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 176
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
17. Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole
Source: ihearteating.com
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish that I could just eat the stuffing when Thanksgiving comes around. It’s definitely the best part of a holiday meal.
As it turns out, this casserole is the answer to my prayers. Rich with vegetables and a creamy sauce, this casserole is topped with crunchy stuffing as a treat for the soul.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 361
• Fats: 11g
• Protein: 39g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g
18. Old Fashioned Tuna Casserole
Source: twopinkpeonies.com
When in doubt, always rely on an old-fashioned recipe. This is comfort food at its finest, with a ton of different flavors and textures that have carried it to different tables throughout the years.
This uses a super simple recipe with around ten ingredients, so you can enjoy dinner in no time.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 287
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 21g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
19. Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole
Source: gritsandpinecones.com
If you’ve ever had cornbread, then you know it’s like heaven on earth. Buttery and crumbly, it’s the perfect thing to enjoy with a pile of richly-spiced ground beef.
This casserole is a great example of how to get creative with your ingredients. The cornbread layer sits on top, with rich ground beef hiding underneath for a delicious surprise.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 286
• Fats: 21g
• Protein: 19g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Sugar: 2g
20. Ground Beef Potato Casserole
Source: countryhillcottage.com
If potatoes are more your thing, then this ground beef and potato casserole is perfect for you. The peppers and cheese are just the thing to balance out all the rich flavors in this dish.
I love this recipe because you can make big batches and enjoy servings later in the week.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 462
• Fats: 28g
• Protein: 24g
• Carbs: 29g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4
21. Taco Bake Casserole
Source: mommyevolution.com
Finally, here’s a quick and easy way to enjoy your favorite Taco Night flavors without making a ton of different components. One dish, one cooking time, and one satisfied family!
This lazy high protein meal comes together in no time, providing a hearty and satisfying weeknight option.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 255
• Fats: 15g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
And that’s twenty-one! When the chips are down and my week is completely overwhelming, I’ll always rely on a casserole recipe to provide a healthy, filling, affordable meal.
I’m curious: which of these recipes caught your eye? Let me know which casseroles you want to try in the comments below, and I’ll see you in the next round up. Happy casserole cooking!