35 Easy Make-Ahead Casseroles

These make-ahead casseroles are the best life hack!

Not only do they feed a hungry crowd, but they’re ready fast. All because you already did the prep in advance.

Best Make-Ahead Casserole Recipes

Finding time to make dinner is not always easy. That’s why casseroles are fantastic for meal prep days.

They’re super convenient, and most are very affordable. Plus, there are plenty of options for every meal. So they never get old. 

King ranch chicken, million-dollar spaghetti, tater tot, or Ziti… take your pick.

These make-ahead casseroles are a lifesaver for a busy week. And they’re fabulous for potlucks, too! 

1. ​​Make-Ahead Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Friends say hello to your new favorite casserole. 

This make-ahead bake will be your go-to. For holidays, weeknights, or gatherings of any kind… this dish works. 

The tender pasta, mozzarella, and cream cheese speak to your soul. While the chicken, spinach, and tomatoes nourish your body.

Together, those ingredients create a crowd-pleasing meal.

2. Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Do you ever feel like brunching at home on the weekends? But then the morning rolls around… and you’d rather sleep in?

With this breakfast casserole, you can have it both ways. 

The night before brunch, saute sausage with veggies and make the cheesy egg mixture. Then layer it in a casserole dish with a base of breadcrumbs. 

It’s ready to bake whenever you do finally roll out of bed.

3. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

I know it’s not a competition. But this casserole would win first place at any potluck. 

It has 11 tantalizing layers that reign supreme! 

There’s a whole pound of chicken, a mess of cheddar, veggies, tortillas, and sour cream. 

Smother it all in two types of condensed soup and Rotel. 

The prep time takes a solid 30 minutes. Luckily, it can all get done in advance.

4. Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole

Breakfast, brunch, or dinner… this cheesy potato casserole is delicious any time of day. 

Also known as Funeral Potatoes, it has all the best comfort food ingredients. 

Shredded potatoes meld with a creamy soup mixture. And every bite is loaded with cheddar cheese. 

When making it ahead of time, leave the cornflake topping off. Then add it right before baking.

5. Best Make-Ahead Lasagna

Lasagna is not one of those things you can instantly have ready when hunger strikes. But this make-ahead lasagna sure is!

You prep the meat sauce and the cheese filling. Then layer both mixtures in between lasagna pasta sheets.

You can freeze this lasagna or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For a vegetarian-friendly version, use plant-based crumbles. 

6. Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti is a classic that always makes the family happy. Cheesy, savory, and full of tender pasta- what’s not to love?

Thanks to this recipe, you can always have one on hand too.

It will last in the freezer for about 3 months. Just be sure to wrap it tight to avoid freezer burn. 

7. Rigatoni Pasta Bake

Here’s a cozy bake you can throw together during your next meal prep day.

This hearty meal is packed with rigatoni, mozzarella, and meat sauce. 

Like many others, it’s customizable. Nix the meat or load it up with veggies. 

If you have room in the freezer, make one of each. You can decide what you want to eat later.

8. Beef Enchilada Casserole

Tired of tortillas breaking when making enchiladas? Skip the rolling and layer everything instead. 

It has all the flavors you want, minus the frustrating assembly.

Dip the tortillas in the enchilada sauce so they absorb all the flavor. Then layer the beef mixture and cheese in between.

9. Million-Dollar Spaghetti

What makes this spaghetti taste like a million bucks? Cream cheese, ricotta, and the savory meat sauce. 

Kid-tested and parent-approved, million-dollar spaghetti is one dinner everyone can agree on.

All the cheese and sour cream make it a little bit pricey. But it’s a small price to pay, considering everyone will be happy.

10. Million-Dollar Chicken Casserole

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 

High roller meets family comfort in this million-dollar chicken casserole. 

Between the creamy chicken filling and crunchy topping… this tastes like a million bucks. 

11. Chicken Parmesan Casserole

You’ll never look back ,once you learn how to make chicken parmesan ahead of time.

It’s seriously one of the easiest casseroles to assemble. I find it’s also a fantastic way to use leftover chicken.

For a well-balanced meal, serve it with a green salad and garlic bread. Yum!

12. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

There are no doubt a ton of great make-ahead pasta bakes. 

But what if you’re in the mood for Asian food? I’ve got you covered for that, too. 

Or really, this teriyaki chicken casserole recipe does. 

Umami, wholesome, and make-ahead friendly, it’s just what you need. 

13. Overnight Sausage and Egg Casserole

Here’s one for the meat lovers out there. 

This breakfast casserole calls for an entire pound of breakfast sausage!

It’s suspended in an egg mixture with a hint of mustard on top of breadcrumbs.

It tastes like a breakfast sandwich and serves a family of eight. 

14. Make-Ahead Sausage Hash Brown Casserole

Do you prefer your breakfast sausage with potatoes? You’ll love this one!

This casserole has the breakfast food holy trinity – eggs, potatoes, and breakfast meat.

Add cheese and diced green onions to those three, then refrigerate. Tomorrow morning’s breakfast will be great!

15. Make-Ahead Creamy Vegetable Casserole

Has your family been neglecting their veggies? Time to get a little help from this creamy casserole.

It magically turns vegetables into a mouthwatering feast that your family will devour. I guarantee!

The secret is to smother frozen veggies in mushroom soup, sour cream, and cheese. 

16. Pork Chop Casserole

How does only 5 minutes of prep work sound? I thought you’d get excited!

This pork chop casserole is that quick. It repurposes leftover rice and pork chops.

With those two already cooked, it cuts out a ton of work. All that’s left is to add the mushroom soup, milk, cheese, and green beans.

17. Ham Casserole with Broccoli and Rice

Does it get any more comforting than this?

This casserole tastes like it came out of Mom’s kitchen. It’s creamy, cheesy, savory, and very filling.

The Ritz cracker topping adds a nice contrast of textures. Then there’s the cream of chicken soup that crams in extra protein.

It also sneaks in lot of broccoli with no complaints. 

18. Pizza Casserole

This pizza casserole is genius! 

It skips the hassle of working with dough. And it tastes like pizza. 

Using penne as the base, you load it up with supreme toppings. Pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, olives, and more. 

Do you prefer vegetarian or vegan pizza? With a few tweaks and substitutions, you can make that too.

19. Make-Ahead Turkey Dinner Casserole

Are you tired of leftover turkey sandwiches? Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into a casserole instead. 

This one uses up pretty much everything. It features layers of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. 

You can also make it all from scratch. 

Now you gotta figure out what to do with that leftover cranberry sauce.

20. Turkey Tetrazzini

If you’re trying to get the kids to eat their protein, go with turkey tetrazzini. 

The creamy sauce and mozzarella coat the roasted turkey in deliciousness. There are even a few peas hiding in the pasta. 

High in carbs and protein, this dish is an energy powerhouse. #icouldrunamarathon

21. Tater Tot Casserole

You’re never too old for tots! Especially when they’re crammed into a casserole. 

The bottom has a savory and umami beef filling. And resting on top is a layer of golden tater tots. 

Sprinkle cheddar all over those spuds and bake until golden brown. 

It’s super easy to make. So you can keep one in the freezer- just in case.

22. Shrimp and Crab Seafood Casserole

For special occasions, I like to make this seafood casserole the night before.

It’s brimming with shellfish, rice, veggies, and a breadcrumb topping. 

Rather than douse everything with condensed soup, it opts for a creamy homemade sauce. 

A glug of cream, mayo, tomato paste, spices, and lemon flavor is just right.

23. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Make family dinners fun with this enchilada casserole. 

All the ingredients come together to create a fiesta for your taste buds.

Shredded chicken and black beans make it high in protein. The enchilada sauce also adds a special touch. 

It’s better than store-bought and seasoned just right.

Of course, everything tastes fantastic when smothered in gooey cheese.

24. Creamy Beef Noodle Casserole

Need a hearty winter casserole that doesn’t break the bank? This dinner is a great solution. 

Egg noodles meld with a robust beef sauce and cheddar cheese.

In fact, most of the ingredients are pantry staples. Plus, there’s room for customization too. 

Frozen peas, spinach, or mushrooms are all great additions. You can also use leftover chicken or turkey instead of beef.

25. Tuna Noodle Casserole

Do you ever get a random craving for tuna noodle casserole? Keep this ready to go in the freezer!

I’m all for using canned tuna. And this casserole is a classic. 

It turns the canned mushroom soup into a decadent sauce. All the dairy doesn’t come cheap, though. 

Luckily, canned tuna and frozen peas help to cut down the cost. 

26. Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Trying to get your kids to eat broccoli? Add cheese. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, everyone will eat almost anything covered in cheese. Even picky little tykes. 

So throw this casserole together. 

It only takes five ingredients. So, you can meal prep it all the time!

27. French’s Green Bean Casserole

Make-ahead Thanksgiving dishes can do wonders to reduce holiday stress. Which is why I’m all for this green bean casserole. 

From the filling to the topping, this is a classic sure-to-please.

It’s great for bringing to a feast. If you’re hosting, it also frees up some of your holiday time.

28. Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

While you’re throwing together the green bean casserole, make this one too. 

Brown sugar and half-and-half make the filling so sweet and creamy. But it’s the pecan streusel marshmallow topping that will have everyone raving. 

If you want to cut down the prep time, use canned potatoes. It nixes the need for boiling and roasting the sweet potatoes. 

29. Eggplant Parmesan

I can’t tell you how often I want eggplant parm, but I’m too hungry to wait. So when I find the time, I make this in advance.

Battering and frying the eggplant helps keep it from getting too soggy. 

Which is fantastic because I love to douse it in marinara and cheese.

Alternatively, you can bake the eggplant. It reduces your workload and makes it healthier. A little…

30. Make-Ahead Creamy Mac and Cheese Casserole

If I could only make one make-ahead casserole… I would go with this. 

I mean, who doesn’t love mac and cheese?

Whether you’re feeding the family or guests, it’s a great one to have on hand. 

It will save you in a pinch. And dinner won’t be a debate.

31. Creamed Spinach Casserole

Here’s an easy vegetarian casserole to add to all your family dinners. 

It turns frozen spinach into a decadent delight. 

Creamy and cheesy, it tricks everyone into eating their leafy greens. Plus, it pairs with many other side dishes and proteins.

32. Cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Imagine a casserole that tastes like a baked potato and is also keto-friendly. That’s this dish!

Cauliflower replaces potatoes to make it low-carb. Also, it contains zero flour, so it’s gluten-free.

Loaded with bacon, cheese, green onions, and sour cream… you won’t miss the potatoes. Not even a little bit.

33. Sloppy Joe Casserole

When sloppy joes are in a casserole, you can make them extra messy!

There’s no need to worry about keeping a sandwich intact. So grab a casserole dish and go to town.  

Max it out with ground beef, farfalle, Velveeta, and diced tomatoes. And don’t forget the Manwhich sauce!

34. Easy Vegetable Lasagna

Veggie lasagna is always a great thing to have on hand. Everyone loves it, and it serves a crowd.

It also doesn’t hurt that it sneaks in a ton of veggies.

The prep work can be a bit time-consuming. So, it’s one of the best casseroles to make in advance.

When dinner rolls around, all you have to do is bake. 

35. Easy Make-Ahead Zucchini Gratin

Have your gratin without all the carbs by using zucchini. 

Zucchini is a fantastic substitute for potatoes. The flavor is mild, and it lowers the carbs to 16 grams per serving. 

Instead of slicing the zucchini, grate it along with the onions. Then top it with breadcrumbs for more texture.