This summer, spend more time in the sun and less time in the kitchen. These make-ahead casseroles can be prepped ahead of time. All you have to do is reheat and eat!
25 Make-Ahead Summer Casseroles
Updated on Sep. 01, 2024
Potluck Taco Casserole
This is the dish I take most often to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio
1/25
2/25
Vegetable Strata
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 677 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 244mg cholesterol, 940mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 35g protein.
3/25
Carnitas with Orzo and Peppers in Red Mole Sauce
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a tasty way to stretch your grocery dollar. Pork shoulder roast is combined with orzo, peppers and mole sauce to make a spicy Mexican comfort food. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 559 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1509mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 37g protein.
4/25
Cheesy Potatoes
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a four-generation Idaho family, we love our potatoes and cook with them in every way possible. I have served these cheesy potatoes for weddings, family dinners and special occasions. They've become a favorite of many. —Karla Kimball, Emmett, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 358 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein.
5/25
Triple-Sausage Breakfast Bake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This over-the-top breakfast has great flavors—smoky, sweet and spicy. It's a really meaty meal. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 695 calories, 59g fat (24g saturated fat), 387mg cholesterol, 1441mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein.
6/25
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband has a hearty appetite, our two kids never tire of pizza, and I grow lots of zucchini. So this tasty tomato casserole is absolutely tops with us throughout the entire year. Once you've tried the recipe, you may even decide to grow more zucchini in your own garden next summer! —Lynn Bernstetter, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 315 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
7/25
Baked Nectarine Chicken Salad
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks love the crunchy chow mein noodles on top. I love that I can make it a day in advance and refrigerate until it's time to serve. Serve with hot bread or rolls. —Faye Robinson, Pensacola, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 539 calories, 37g fat (7g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 911mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
8/25
Greek Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a great dish for a Sunday brunch, or you can cut it into six pieces and freeze it to have as a quick and easy breakfast any day of the week. I also like to make it with broccoli, carrots, green onions, Canadian bacon and sharp cheddar cheese; the variations are nearly endless! —Lauri Knox, Pine, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 179 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 229mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable.
9/25
Scalloped Corn
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This comforting casserole features sunny corn kernels tucked into a creamy custard. My mom got this recipe and many other excellent ones from her mother. By the time this crowd-pleasing corn dish left the table, my father, sister, brothers and I would have almost scraped it clean. —Sandy Jenkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 236 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
10/25
Cajun Beef Casserole
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Your little ones who refuse to eat veggies won’t complain one bit when you bring this cheesy casserole with a cornbread crust to the table. For picky eaters, try using less Cajun seasoning. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 449 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 916mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein.
11/25
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 466 calories, 34g fat (18g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 840mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
12/25
Chili Tortilla Bake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A homestyle Tex-Mex casserole is all it takes to gather the whole family around the dinner table. With its popular flavors and bubbly cheese topping, there is never a need to worry about leftovers. —Celine Weldy, Cave Creek, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 413 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 28g protein.
13/25
Chicken Club Casseroles
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 casseroles (5 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
This chicken club casserole freezer meal is a warm, welcoming casserole that tastes as fresh and creamy after it's frozen as it does right out of the oven! — Janine Smith, Columbia, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 584 calories, 34g fat (10g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 1161mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
14/25
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 428 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein.
15/25
Pizza Noodle Bake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 644 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 43g protein.
16/25
Chicken Cornbread Casserole
Total Time
3 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this super easy chicken slow-cooker recipe because it tastes like Thanksgiving, but without all the hassle. It's such a hearty and delicious meal for the fall or winter season. —Nancy Barker, Peoria, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 500 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 1657mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein.
17/25
Hamburger Potato Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For variety, you can use another kind of cream soup (cream of mushroom, for instance). But try this meat and potato casserole this way first.—Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 374 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
18/25
Fiesta Chicken
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty main dish. It's a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 324 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
19/25
Creamy Hash Brown Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This versatile side dish is so good with grilled steak, and is delicious with other meats as well. A creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this potato casserole popular for family dinners and potlucks. —Teresa Stutzman, Adair, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 663 calories, 43g fat (27g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 1359mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
20/25
Roasted Vegetable Strata
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use some of what we have. Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 349 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat.
21/25
Ham and Noodle Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe when I had leftover ham to use up. You'll find it's the perfect little casserole for any night of the week! —Laura Burgess, Mount Vernon, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 326 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 1086mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
22/25
Pork and Green Chile Casserole
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I work at a local hospital and another job part time, so I'm always on the lookout for good, quick recipes to fix for my family. Some of my co-workers and I exchange recipes. This zippy casserole is one that was brought to a picnic at my house. People raved over it. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 390 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 32g protein.
23/25
Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For this all-in-one breakfast casserole, I sandwich pork sausage between layers of hash browns flavored with creamy soup and French onion dip. Cheddar cheese tops it all off. —Esther Wrinkles, Vanzant, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 382 calories, 27g fat (14g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 776mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
24/25
Breakfast Burrito Casserole
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this burrito casserole recipe and I modified it to fit our family. It's perfect for a brunch, because you can prep it the night before and bake it the next morning. —Krista Yoder, Due West, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 506 calories, 34g fat (14g saturated fat), 243mg cholesterol, 1419mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
25/25
Shrimp & Crab Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 376 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1127mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
