Dump-and-bake casseroles are the easiest way to create satisfying dinners without the stress of multiple steps or endless preparation. These dishes rely on a simple method—add everything to a baking dish, mix lightly, and place it in the oven. No pre-cooking, no constant monitoring, no extra pans to wash. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights, families on the go, and anyone who wants fast comfort food without sacrificing flavor. Each recipe allows ingredients to cook together in harmony, creating rich and layered flavors with minimal effort.
In this collection, you’ll find fifteen fully developed dump-and-bake casseroles designed to deliver hearty, delicious meals with minimal work. Each casserole includes a complete ingredient list with specific quantities, realistic cook times, and estimated nutrition. Whether you prefer pasta bakes, chicken casseroles, cheesy rice dishes, or meatball combinations, every recipe offers a convenient solution for a wholesome dinner. These casseroles are simple, dependable, and satisfying—perfect for when you want dinner done right with almost no work.
1. Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 11g
- Protein: 26g
- Total Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 37g
2. Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen shredded hashbrowns
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner / Side
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 395
- Fat: 24g
- Protein: 14g
- Total Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 30g
3. Tater Tot Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 3 cups frozen tater tots
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 470
- Fat: 27g
- Protein: 24g
- Total Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Net Carbs: 34g
4. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Fat: 39g
- Protein: 32g
- Total Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Net Carbs: 6g
5. Broccoli Rice & Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 ½ cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner / Side
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 310
- Fat: 13g
- Protein: 16g
- Total Carbs: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 25g
6. Mexican Chicken Fajita Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked sliced chicken
- 2 cups sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup sliced onions
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 285
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 27g
- Total Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 9g
7. Meatball Dump and Bake Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen meatballs
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 21g
- Protein: 24g
- Total Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 44g
8. Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups diced bell peppers
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 390
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 24g
- Total Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 27g
9. No-Boil Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked ziti pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 17g
- Protein: 22g
- Total Carbs: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 48g
10. Easy, Cheesy 5-Ingredient Pizza Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Fat: 27g
- Protein: 23g
- Total Carbs: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 45g
11. Mexican Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 cup cooked ground beef
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 25g
- Total Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 44g
12. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 8 corn tortillas (cut into strips)
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 26g
- Total Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 24g
13. Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked pasta
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 530
- Fat: 28g
- Protein: 24g
- Total Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Net Carbs: 46g
14. Dump & Bake Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken breast pieces
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 ½ cups teriyaki sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 6g
- Protein: 26g
- Total Carbs: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 60g
15. Dump & Bake Sausage Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced potatoes
- 1 pound sausage slices
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Dinner
Approximate Nutrition
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 28g
- Protein: 20g
- Total Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Net Carbs: 29g
FAQs
1. Are dump-and-bake casseroles beginner-friendly?
Yes—these recipes are designed for total simplicity with minimal prep and no pre-cooking.
2. Can I use frozen ingredients?
Absolutely. Many dump-and-bake casseroles work well with frozen vegetables or pre-cooked meats.
3. Can these casseroles be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble them and refrigerate until ready to bake.
4. Can I substitute different cheeses?
Yes—any melting cheese such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack works well.
5. Are these casseroles freezer-friendly?
Most can be frozen before or after baking, depending on ingredients.
