12 Easy Pasta Casserole Recipes To Make For Dinner

Plenty of servings, many kudos, not much work.

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.

Get Recipe: The Budget-Friendly 5-Ingredient Pasta Bake My Family Asks Me For All the Time

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.

Get Recipe: Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

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.

Get Recipe: Cauliflower Pasta Bake

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.

Get Recipe: One-Pan Baked Penne alla Vodka

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!

Get Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

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.

Get Recipe: Baked Spaghetti

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.

Get Recipe: Pizza Casserole

Caprese Stuffed Shells

Get a taste of summer no matter the weather outside. When you're shopping for pesto, look for a container of bright green pesto in the refrigerator section for the brightest, punchiest flavor.

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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.

Get Recipe: Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake

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.

Get Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole

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.

Get Recipe: Civil War Macaroni and Cheese

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.

Get Recipe: Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.