The days between Christmas and New Year’s are a weird mix of lounging in pajamas, losing track of time, and wondering if eating leftovers counts as a hobby. That’s where casseroles come in—they’re the unofficial MVP of holiday downtime. One dish, minimal cleanup, and enough hearty goodness to keep you full while you debate whether to watch another movie or finally take down the decorations.
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Spiced ground beef, peppers, tomatoes, and black beans make this casserole a flavor-packed dinner. Easy to throw together, it’s ready in just 40 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Eggs, sausage, and potatoes come together in this cheesy casserole perfect for brunch or dinner. It’s a great way to feed a crowd with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole
Cheddar Chicken Bake
Rotisserie chicken, quinoa, and cheddar cheese make this casserole a simple and affordable dinner for any night of the week. Easy to assemble and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake
French Onion Chicken Casserole
Tender chicken meets bold French onion flavors with a crispy topping that screams comfort. It’s quick, simple, and ready to keep you fed for days. This dish is perfect when you want something that tastes like you spent all day cooking—but didn’t.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken Casserole
Pepperoni Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella
Hearty pasta, cheesy goodness, and all the pepperoni you can handle—this bake is your weeknight hero. Toss it together, throw it in the oven, and get ready to hear, “Can we have this again tomorrow?”
Get the Recipe: Pepperoni Pasta Bake with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella
Ravioli Casserole
Frozen ravioli gets a major upgrade with layers of marinara, sausage, and cheese. It’s a quick, hearty meal that works for a busy Tuesday or a lazy weekend.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole
Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cheddar cheese all in one pan. If this doesn’t make you feel like you’ve won dinner, nothing will. This casserole is a total crowd-pleaser and super easy to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
BBQ Beef Cornbread Casserole
BBQ beef topped with cornbread baked to golden perfection—it’s like two comfort food favorites rolled into one. Toss it in the slow cooker, kick back, and let dinner take care of itself.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Beef Cornbread Casserole
Chicken Enchilada Casserole Bake
Canned chicken, green chile sauce, and corn tortillas come together in a quick, cheesy bake that’s as easy to assemble as it is to devour. Perfect for busy nights when you just want dinner done fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole Bake
Ground Beef and Tater Tot Casserole
Crispy tater tots, creamy mushroom soup, and ground beef create a casserole that’s equal parts comfort and convenience. Add cheddar cheese, and it’s a no-fail dinner that everyone at the table will want seconds of.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Tater Tot Casserole
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Layers of chicken, cheese, and green chilies tucked between strips of tortillas create a dish that’s cheesy, hearty, and straight-up satisfying. Bake until golden and bubbly, then enjoy the easiest dinner you’ll make all week.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Love jalapeño poppers? This casserole transforms those flavors into a dinner-ready dish with melty cheese, a creamy base, and just the right amount of kick.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Sloppy Joe filling meets fluffy biscuits in this one-pan wonder. It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to get cheers from everyone around the table.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Hot and Cheesy Baked Chili Cheese Dip
Chili cheese dip baked until melty and perfect for any gathering, game day, or just because. Minimal effort, maximum comfort. Pair it with chips, and you’re good to go.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Cheesy Baked Chili Cheese Dip
Herb and Vegetable Stuffing
Vegetables and fresh herbs topped with a golden crust make this stuffing the ultimate side dish. It’s a classic that works every time and pairs perfectly with your holiday main.
Get the Recipe: Herb and Vegetable Stuffing
Chicken Fajita Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with fajita-seasoned chicken, this casserole brings dinner to the table in record time. Simple, flavorful, and great for nights when you need something that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajita Casserole
Cheeseburger Casserole
Ground beef, melty cheese, and pasta make this casserole a guaranteed hit. It’s quick, foolproof, and perfect for when you need dinner on the table fast.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast for dinner just got an upgrade with this cheesy, eggy tater tot bake. It’s simple to whip up, perfect for busy nights, and always gets requests for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Spaghetti, creamy meat sauce, and cheese baked until bubbly—this dish is everything you want in a weeknight meal. Easy to make, easy to love, and great for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
All the flavors of your favorite burger layered with crispy tater tots and gooey cheese. It’s a fun twist that’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole
Cheesy Baked Tortellini
Cheese-stuffed tortellini baked with marinara and more cheese for a casserole that’s as easy as it is satisfying. A quick dinner option when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something great.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Baked Tortellini
Pork Chop and Rice Casserole
Pork chops baked with creamy rice and seasonings create a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’s ready in no time. Minimal prep, easy ingredients, and plenty of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chop and Rice Casserole
Meatball Casserole
Juicy meatballs baked in marinara and covered in melted cheese—it doesn’t get easier or more comforting than this. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Casserole
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.