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Easy Casserole Recipes to Make on a Budget

Kim Ritter 2/6/2023 Two Kids and a Coupon

If you’re looking for hot and hearty meals you can make without a lot of expense, don’t miss these easy casserole recipes to make on a budget.

All images courtesy of Two Kids and a Coupon

Here in the Midwest, casseroles are the ultimate comfort food. Especially in the winter months, these hot and hearty meals can be made with ingredients that most households already have on hand.

Kid-friendly and easy to make, casseroles are also budget friendly. Not only do they usually use affordable ingredients, they also are easy to swap out ingredients for items you have on hand. They are also an excellent way to use up leftovers!

Looking for an easy casserole for busy weeknights? This easy to make Chicken Noodle Casserole is simple to make and sure to be a hit!

Packed with pasta, noodles, meat, veggies and more, there are lots of different delicious casserole combinations.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Vertical 1

Casseroles don’t have to be just for dinner either! They are a delicious hot breakfast with potatoes, eggs, cheese and more.

If you’re looking to add more easy casseroles to your family’s menu line up, here are a few casserole tips before getting started.

EASY CASSEROLE RECIPES TIPS

Cheese is a common ingredient in most casseroles. The type of cheese can be a personal preference, but I almost always recommend buying block cheese and using a cheese grater to grate it yourself. Not only does it melt better, but it also tastes better since it does not have the preservatives often found in shredded cheese.
Many recipes add crunch to the top of casseroles using bread crumbs, crushed crackers or crushed chips. Don’t be afraid to get creative! I am particularly a fan of french onions.

how to make chicken cordon bleu casserole

Unless you’re making a vegetarian casserole, most casseroles use some kind of meat. You can get creative with what you have on hand. You can also usually easily remove meat from a casserole if you are on a budget or want a meat free meal. I frequently split a casserole into two separate dishes and make one with meat and one without.
You typically need some kind of liquid in your casserole, this can be soup, sauce, broth, eggs or something else.

Keep your pasta under cooked. Because pasta will continue cooking in the casserole, you want to under cook it a little bit when preparing. This helps prevent it from getting soggy. You usually want to under cook by a couple minutes from what is specified on the pasta’s instructions.
Don’t forget to drain the meat. If you are including meat in your casserole recipes, don’t forget to use a grease strainer and remove any excess grease. This will help keep your casserole from getting too greasy.

Many casseroles can be frozen, which makes them perfect to have for freezer meals. When making one casserole, don’t hesitate to make a second to keep on hand for later. If possible, you want to let a frozen casserole defrost in your refrigerator for a day for the best results.
Not sure what type of casserole dish to use? For most recipes it doesn’t matter a lot, just be aware that the type of dish can impact your cooking time. Ceramic baking dishes can often take longer than glass or metal baking dishes.

Looking for an easy pasta dish for a busy weeknight? This pizza pasta casserole combines two of kids favorites into one meal and is sure to be a hit. They won't even notice the veggies hiding inside!

© Provided by Kim Ritter Looking for an easy pasta dish for a busy weeknight? This pizza pasta casserole combines two of kids favorites into one meal and is sure to be a hit. They won't even notice the veggies hiding inside!

Many casseroles can easily be made up ahead of time and refrigerated for 24 to 48 hours. I do this often and will make a casserole up in the morning so all I have to do is pop it in the oven at meal time.
Don’t have a particular ingredient on hand or don’t like something the recipe calls for? Don’t hesitate to mix things up and get creative.