Home Recipes Meal Types Dinner
Laurie DixonUpdated: Feb. 21, 2024
Love casseroles but not the price tag on ingredients? These cheap casseroles keep your pockets (and your belly) full.
Firecracker Casserole
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My husband and I love this southwestern-style firecracker casserole. The flavor reminds us of enchiladas, but the recipe doesn’t require the extra time to roll them up. —Teressa Eastman, El Dorado, Kansas
Tuna Noodle Casserole
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Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky
(Check out more of our best tuna noodle casserole recipes!)
Mexican Street Corn Bake
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We discovered Mexican street corn at a festival. This easy one-pan version saves on prep and cleanup. Every August I freeze a lot of our own fresh sweet corn and then I use that in this recipe, but store-bought corn works just as well. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole
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This is a rich and surprisingly tasty rendition of a number of Tex-Mex dishes fused into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in hardly any time! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole
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Kids love this cheeseburger french fry casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just four ingredients. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Warm Chicken Tortellini Au Gratin
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I have a number of easy, planned leftover recipes in my arsenal, which are especially useful when I'm busy. This is one of my favorites: pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. When paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that's fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland
Pressure-Cooker Stuffed Peppers
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Here's a good-for-you dinner that's also a meal-in-one classic. Add a salad and, in just moments, call everyone to the table. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska
Baked Beef Tacos
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This taco recipe takes classic taco ingredients and gives them a fresh approach by baking the shells upright in refried beans and tomatoes. The bottom gets soft, and the top stays crisp and crunchy. —Patricia Stagich, Elizabeth, New Jersey
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I couldn’t say who loves this recipe best, because it gets raves every time I serve it! Occasionally I even get a phone call or email from a friend requesting the recipe, and it's certainly a favorite for my grown children and 15 grandchildren. —Maryalice Wood, Langley, British Columbia
Cajun Beef Casserole
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Your little ones who refuse to eat veggies won’t complain one bit when you bring this cheesy casserole with a cornbread crust to the table. For picky eaters, try using less Cajun seasoning. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Frito Pie
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Frito pie is legendary in the Southwest for being spicy, salty and cheesy fabulous. Here’s my easy take on this crunchy classic. —Jan Moon, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
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This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Crescent Turkey Casserole
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How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota
Chili Mac Casserole
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This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
Nacho Chicken
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I have been serving this rich and zippy chicken casserole for years, and it's a favorite of my family and friends. It disappears quickly at bring-a-dish gatherings, too. —Thom Britton, Three Rivers, Michigan
Fiesta Chicken
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Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty main dish. It's a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota
Ham and Swiss Casserole
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When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it's always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas
Southwestern Casserole
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I’ve been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Best Ever Beans and Sausage
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When my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
Chicken and Rice Casserole
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Everyone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
Beef 'n' Biscuit Bake
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This recipe is quick, easy and satisfying. With its beef and corn combo, it's cozy cuisine at its best! —Erin Schneider, St. Peters, Missouri
Inside-Out Stuffed Peppers
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My daughters don’t care for the usual green peppers stuffed with a meat-and-rice mixture, so one of the girls dreamed up this alternative. The peppers are simply chopped and combined with the other ingredients in a casserole. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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Bacon, tomatoes and lima beans combine for a nutrient-packed side dish that makes the perfect accompaniment to turkey. —Karen Kumpulainen, Forest City, North Carolina
Chicken Noodle Casserole
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Everyone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas
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On holidays, a friend serves these creamy, cheesy potatoes when we gather together to celebrate with lifelong friends and grown children. —Carol Blue, Barnesville, Pennsylvania
Broccoli Potato Supreme
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My family insists that this two-in-one casserole makes an appearance at all of our special meals. Every bite is doubly delicious! —Jane Birch, Edison, New Jersey
Cauliflower Casserole
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To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces, and crushed cornflakes. We enjoyed this casserole so much that leftovers were rare.-Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio
Discover our best cheap dinner recipes.
My Mother's Mac and Cheese
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I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. —Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon
Scalloped Corn
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This comforting casserole features sunny corn kernels tucked into a creamy custard. My mom got this recipe and many other excellent ones from her mother. By the time this crowd-pleasing corn dish left the table, my father, sister, brothers and I would have almost scraped it clean. —Sandy Jenkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Cheesy Summer Squash Casserole
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Onion and cheddar cheese add flavor and richness to the bounty of summer squash in this comforting casserole. A crispy cornflake-crumb topping adds a little crunch. —Katherine Metz, Jacksonville, Florida
Dinner in a Bag
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I get a head start on this family-pleasing dinner by assembling ready-to-grab pantry kits. I measure dry macaroni and the spice mixture into separate containers, storing them in a paper bag with canned tomatoes. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Cowboy Casserole
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This quick and creamy Tater Tot bake is great comfort food, especially on a cold night. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York
Originally Published: May 19, 2020
Laurie Dixon
Having a passion for writing her whole life, Laurie joined the Taste of Home team to bring together her two favorite things—creative writing and food. She spends most of her time playing with her dog, drafting up short stories and, of course, trying out new recipes.