No matter the time of year, there's nothing like a filling casserole for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Prep is usually simple, and once you pop it in the oven, you can finish up other tasks around the house while enjoying the smell of baking. They're always great for feeding large households — and if you're just feeding one or two, you'll have plenty of leftovers for the next few days. With the right ingredients, they can be the most cost-effective and budget-friendly meals.
Here's a versatile collection of sweet and savory casserole recipes for all types of eaters, whether you're a cheese-lover, have a sweet tooth, are a vegetarian, or eat Paleo . . .
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
Casseroles aren't just for dinner! This hearty hashbrown dish made of breakfast staples goes far with 12 servings.
A few low-cost ingredients can go a long way with this penne casserole. Try it for date night or dinner with the kids.
Casseroles don't always have to be about pasta and cheese. This green bean casserole is a great way to get veggies in without breaking the bank.
Supercharge your mac and cheese with a pound of veggies. This different spin on the budget-friendly classic includes Brussels sprouts.
This sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving classic that can be enjoyed year-round. It's a great make-ahead dish with lots of low-cost ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry.
This chicken nacho casserole becomes especially cost-effective if you take the recipe's advice and double it. Enjoy, and consider your meal prep done for the next few days!
Want a hearty chicken casserole without the pasta? Try this healthy and inexpensive version with spaghetti squash.
Apples, eggs, and some day-old brioche will lead to an impressive breakfast casserole. Or does this count as dessert?
Ina Garten's simple recipe with basic ingredients is easy on the wallet. Mushrooms and leeks come together for a great flavor alternative.
If you do need your meat, you can try pastitsio, a Greek version of macaroni and cheese. You can choose between ground lamb and beef to add low-cost staple ingredients you'll find in your fridge and pantry.
Swap noodles for zucchini in this healthy take on a classic tuna casserole recipe.
There's perhaps nothing as cost-effective as a chicken casserole for dinner. Get your veggies in with this cauliflower, mushroom, and spinach version.
And here's one more variation on vegetarian lasagna. This cheesy Brussels sprouts recipe with mushrooms makes for an impressive entrée without breaking the bank.
Feed a hungry group for less this weekend with a spicy Italian sausage breakfast casserole. The eggs are cracked on top of the potatoes and bread rather than whisked in.
If you prefer broccoli, here's an alternative chicken casserole recipe with quinoa. This dish serves eight.
Using a rotisserie chicken makes this recipe both cheap and easy. Try these enchiladas for a fun weeknight dinner.
Shake up breakfast on a budget with this blueberry oatmeal casserole. This is a great option for Sunday meal prep. You'll have a healthy, quick breakfast ready all week.
If you only need to feed two people and don't want the effort and added cost of a whole lasagna, this is the recipe for you.
Here's another variation of the oats and almond milk healthy breakfast dish. Bananas are the highlight of this dish.
Find yourself with some leftover bagels you don't want to waste? This fun breakfast casserole will save you money and can be made ahead.
This nutritious wild rice casserole packs a lot of inexpensive ingredients into one dish.
Simple and inexpensive ingredients — including broccoli, spinach, cheese, and wild rice — come together for a highly nutritious vegetarian meal or side dish.
This breakfast casserole adds Eggo waffles to sausage, eggs, milk, and cheese for a fun, inexpensive twist. This warm dish is perfect for cold Winter mornings.
This is a fun, inexpensive pan bake option that could also be made Paleo. Just skip the drizzle of cheese on the top.
Take your mac and cheese to the next level on a budget by adding Brie.
And this overnight breakfast casserole is the complete opposite of the previous one. Try this if you're a cheese-lover.
Looking for a fancier entrée casserole? This pork dish is a unique recipe, especially when you catch the pork shoulder on sale.
This ham and cheese croissant casserole surely inspires a fancy breakfast for dinner with simple and inexpensive ingredients.
Casseroles are a great way to make dessert, too! You'll be surprised by how easy and cheap this pineapple upside down cake is.
Another twist on the inexpensive chicken casserole dinner. Enjoy this Tex-Mex chicken mac and cheese.
More pineapple! Love Hawaiian pizza but want a homemade, healthier version? Try out this simple, cost-effective casserole recipe with spaghetti squash instead of crust.
This chipotle chicken enchilada casserole has simple, cheap ingredients and is so easy to make.
Combine two easy and budget-friendly ways to cook with this Instant Pot casserole recipe.
Skip the cheese and dairy with this one-pan chicken and roasted veggies dish, which is good for those doing Whole30.
Here's an Asian teriyaki version of the chicken casserole — one more take on the budget-friendly dinner.
This meatball casserole is an easy and budget-friendly weeknight dinner the entire family will love.
This one-pot cheeseburger casserole is easy and inexpensive for a quick weeknight meal.
Turn a favorite budget-friendly chicken noodle soup into a casserole with this recipe.
This vegetarian Southern squash casserole has a Western twist that won't impact your wallet.
Buy frozen mini buttermilk pancakes for this cheap casserole recipe that will transform your breakfast game.
Mix sweet and savory flavors with this simple green apple and butternut squash casserole.
This corn pudding recipe brings together a few inexpensive ingredients for a perfect warm side dish.
Bring together quinoa and a few inexpensive ingredients for a make-ahead bake that will give you a healthy breakfast all week.
Another great healthy breakfast casserole for those trying to stick to goals like Whole30. It can be prepared the night before for smoother mornings.
This low-calorie, low-budget red pepper and lentil bake is a perfect Winter meal.
This creamy, cheesy chicken and cauliflower casserole is as good as mac and cheese but with half the calories!
The Pioneer Woman ingeniously turns twice-baked potatoes into a casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd with this recipe. Packed with a whole lot of decadence — bacon, cheddar, butter, sour cream — this potato casserole defines comfort food.
A five-ingredient dinner that couldn't be easier is The Pioneer Woman's corn casserole with corn, red bell peppers, jalapeños, heavy cream, and butter.
This cheesy cauliflower and kale baked rigatoni tastes just like mac and cheese, except it's tossed in caramelized cauliflower, kale, and sage. The whole family will love this recipe, cauliflower, and all.
Guilt-free, easy, and cheap to make — this quinoa enchilada casserole serves six, so make sure to eat up!