14 Easy Pasta Casserole Recipes To Make For Dinner

Plenty of servings, many kudos, not much work.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published January 10, 2025
Rachel Knecht
overhead view of Church Chicken Casserole

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

My family loves pasta casseroles and while lasagna and baked ziti are favorites, I don't have time to make either of these on a weeknight.

It's time to bring new pasta casseroles to the table that are lower lift. Pasta casseroles are a whole meal to themselves but if I have the time, I serve them with a simple crunchy salad. Leftovers reheat easily. My teen takes leftover pasta casseroles to school whenever possible.

I use a ceramic casserole dish with handles and deep sides for most pasta casseroles. For recipes that require broiling, I use my Dutch oven. Before starting, check your vessel and make sure it's safe up to 550°F or says that it's broiler-safe.

  • 5-Ingredient Pasta Bake

    5-ingredient pasta bake

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    It's a rare recipe that tastes incredible while using every ounce of every ingredient. You'll use the whole pound of pasta, all of the jarred marinara sauce, and a whole bag of shredded cheese.

  • Marry Me Chicken Casserole

    Overhead view of chicken and pasta casserole serving on a blue plate next to a dish of casserole, table napkin and drinking glass with ice and beverage

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Marry Me Chicken was made to be transformed into a casserole. It has a creamy sauce, protein, and pasta. The casserole version is great for preparing dinner in advance, combining all the flavors you want in an irresistible baked casserole." —Nick Evans, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

    Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole on a plate

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Mom's version skipped the crushed chips on top and yet it was still one of my top five favorite meals as a child. I'm correcting this error and will be making this version for my kids (and my 12-year-old self) ASAP.

  • Baked Mac and Cheese

    Overhead view of a white baking dish and small plate of macaroni and cheese next to a blue table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Coco Morante

    "You can assemble the casserole ahead of time. Just put it all together but don’t bake it just yet. Wrap the baking dish tightly, then refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months before baking." —Coco Morante, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 5 of 14 below

  • Cauliflower Pasta Bake

    Cauliflower Pasta Bake
    Sally Vargas

    Instead of cooking pasta and serving it with a side of roasted cauliflower, put it all together in one dish. Make sure to have the cheese grated by the time the pasta is done cooking so that you can add it while the pasta is still hot.

  • One-Pan Baked Penne alla Vodka

    One pan baked penne alla vodka on a plate at a table setting with a plate of side salad, two drinks, and a small plate of basil

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    I've made one-pot pastas but it hadn't occurred to me to do the same in a casserole dish. The dry pasta and the sauce are mixed in the dish and then baked. This really couldn't get any easier.

  • Church Chicken Casserole

    overhead view of Church Chicken Casserole

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "My all-time favorite, and the [chicken casserole] that always comes to mind for me, is my Grandma Olga Mae’s recipe, which included egg noodles, sour cream, and crushed-up Ritz crackers." —Cynthia Christensen, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Cheeseburger Casserole

    Casserole Dish of Cheeseburger Casserole with a Serving Already Served Using a Spoon at a Table Setting (a Plate with a Serving of Casserole, Bowl of Dry Parsley, a Table Napkin, and a Glass of Ice Water)

    Simply Recipes / Dude that Cookz

    Hamburger Helper only wishes it could taste this good. The seasoned ground beef, pasta, and cheese mixture is baked in a casserole dish and topped with more cheese. I call dibs on the edge pieces!

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  • Baked Spaghetti

    Baked Spaghetti

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    I make spaghetti often but I save lasagna for a special occasion, mainly because lasagna noodles can be fussy. This recipe solves this problem by using spaghetti noodles and only one layer of cheese.

  • Pizza Casserole

    Penne and pepperoni casserole side view.

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    Pizza casserole combines two of my favorite foods: pepperoni pizza and pasta. You get all the comfort of both in a single dish. Serve with a kale caesar salad.

  • Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake

    Ham and Cheese Casserole Pasta Bake warm out of the oven
    Elise Bauer

    I've made this more times than I can count. My whole family loves it! I use a whole box of pasta instead of 12 ounces and add the full amount of spices all at once.

  • Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

    Pasta with Tuna and Tomato Sauce

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    All you need are six ingredients to make this quick and easy casserole—and you probably have them all in your pantry right now. You can substitute cottage cheese for the ricotta if you'd like.

    Continue to 13 of 14 below

  • Civil War Macaroni and Cheese

    Civil war macaroni and cheese in an oval dish.
    Elise Bauer

    This recipe is inspired by a recipe dating back to 1861. The macaroni is boiled in milk, making this a one-pot recipe surprisingly in vogue. Be sure to use whole milk and not substitute it for a low-fat version.

  • Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Elise Bauer

    While penne and macaroni are common in pasta casseroles, don't overlook frozen tortellini. This single ingredient adds a lot flavor and texture. The casserole includes Swiss chard but you could use fresh or frozen spinach.

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