Busy Day Casserole Recipes
When life is busy and dinnertime sneaks up fast, casserole recipes are the answer. They’re warm, filling, family-approved, and often made with simple ingredients you already have on hand.
From cheesy classics and taco night favorites to chicken dinners and cozy comfort food, these casseroles are designed for real life. They are quick to prep, easy to bake, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Cheesy Comfort Casseroles
If your family loves melty cheese and cozy dinners, this section is for you. These casseroles are rich, filling, and guaranteed to disappear fast.
A classic, no-fail dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and plenty of cheese. It’s hearty, affordable, and always a hit with kids. It’s our most popular casserole!
Creamy, comforting, and extra indulgent thanks to cream cheese. This is one of those dinners where everyone asks for seconds.
Layers of tender potatoes, savory beef, and gooey cheese make this a filling one-dish dinner that’s perfect for hungry families.
A great way to use up leftover ham, this casserole balances creamy cheese sauce with tender potatoes and broccoli for a well-rounded family meal.
Chicken Dinner Favorites
These chicken casseroles are reliable, crowd-pleasing dinners that work for weeknights or Sunday dinner.
A family-friendly classic made with tender chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce that brings it all together.
Loaded with flavor from crispy bacon and ranch seasoning, this casserole is bold, cheesy, and totally irresistible.
All the flavors of the classic dish—ham, chicken, and Swiss cheese—turned into an easy, oven-baked casserole the whole family will love.
A lighter, veggie-packed option that still feels comforting. This one’s great when you want something nourishing without sacrificing flavor.
Taco & Tex-Mex Casseroles
When taco night meets casserole night, everyone wins. These bold, flavor-packed dishes are easy to customize and always kid-approved.
Everything you love about tacos baked into one cheesy dish that is perfect for busy nights and picky eaters.
Layers of saucy chicken, tortillas, and cheese make this an easy shortcut to enchilada night without all the rolling.
A hearty, beefy version that delivers big Tex-Mex flavor with minimal effort—great for feeding a crowd.
Fun & Flavor-Forward Casseroles
These casseroles shake things up a bit while still keeping dinner easy and family-friendly.
All the best pizza flavors baked into one cheesy, comforting, and totally customizable dish.
Sweet and savory teriyaki flavor paired with tender chicken and rice makes this a fun twist on classic casseroles.
Rich, saucy, and packed with flavor, this beef version is perfect when you want something a little different but still weeknight-easy.
Casseroles are the ultimate busy-mom dinner: simple to prep, easy to bake, and loved by the whole family. Whether you’re planning ahead, cleaning out the fridge, or just trying to get dinner on the table without stress, these easy casserole recipes are here to help.
Save this roundup for those hectic weeks—you’ll always have a cozy, family-friendly dinner idea ready to go.
Print
Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
Picky eaters are going to love this quick and easy dinner. Mom called it busy day casserole but our readers call is cheesy ground beef and rice casserole.
Course 100 + BEST Easy Beef Recipes for Dinner
Keyword beef, carrots, casserole, cheese, ground beef, main dish, rice
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 208kcal
Author Sweet Basil
Semi Homemade
- 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice uncooked
- 2 Cups Water
- 1/2 to 1 Pound Ground Beef cooked, depending on preference
- 1 Cup Carrots sliced
- Pacific Foods Mushroom Gravy 13.9 ounces
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- Colby Jack or Medium Cheddar Cheese for topping
From Scratch
- 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1/4 Cup Onion minced
- 1 Clove Garlic minced
- 1/2 Cup White Button Mushroom minced
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 1/2 Cup Cream
- 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 Cups Water
- 1/2-1 Pound Ground Beef cooked
- 1 Cup Carrots sliced
- Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese sliced, about 9 slices
- 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice uncooked
Quick Recipe
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8×9" baking dish with nonstick spray. Stir together the soup, rice, water, carrots, and beef.
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup, 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice, 2 Cups Water, 1 Cup Carrots, 1/2-1 Pound Ground Beef
Place in the baking dish and bake for 90 minutes.
Top with cheese slices and bake a few more minutes or until melted.
Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
Semi Homemade
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8×9″ baking dish.
Whisk together the water, mushroom gravy, and milk.
2 Cups Water, Pacific Foods Mushroom Gravy, 1/2 Cup Milk
Add the mushroom mix, rice, cooked beef and carrots to a bowl and stir to combine.
1 Cup Long Grain White Rice, 1/2 to 1 Pound Ground Beef, 1 Cup Carrots
Dump into an 8×9″ baking dish and bake, uncovered for 90 minutes.
Add slices of cheese and return to the oven for another couple of minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Colby Jack or Medium Cheddar Cheese
From Scratch
In a medium pan over medium heat, add the butter and melt.
3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
Whisk in the onion, garlic and mushrooms.
1/4 Cup Onion, 1 Clove Garlic, 1/2 Cup White Button Mushroom
Add the flour, whisking continually and cook for 30-60 seconds.
3 Tablespoons Flour
Add the cream and broth and cook until thick.
1/2 Cup Cream, 1/2 Cup Chicken Broth
Season and remove from heat.
1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Salt
Heat the oven to 350 and spray an 8×9″ baking dish with nonstick spray.
Place the cream mixture, rice, water, beef and carrots into the dish and stir to combine.
2 Cups Water, 1/2-1 Pound Ground Beef, 1 Cup Long Grain White Rice, 1 Cup Carrots
Bake for 90 minutes, add the cheese and bake for a few more minutes or until melted.
Cheddar or Colby Jack Cheese
May be reheated in the oven or microwave.
*The nutritional information is based on the from scratch version of the recipe. Serving: 1cup* | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3024IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg