14 Easy Pasta Casserole Recipes To Make For Dinner

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

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

"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

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

"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

Cauliflower Pasta Bake

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

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

"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

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!

Baked Spaghetti

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

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

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

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.

Civil War Macaroni and Cheese

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

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.