Looking to incorporate more protein-rich staples into your diet? Try this tasty casserole featuring some of your faves: chicken, turkey, beans, eggs, tofu, seafood, cheese…etc. Casseroles are for the win, as they’re easy to prepare and serve, yield large batches (hello leftovers!) and leave you feeling like a badass. Basically, casseroles are that one friend that always has your back. Grab your favorite seasoning and your largest baking dish because once you throw everything together, it’s the oven’s show.
1) Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
All you have to do is pick up some pre-cooked chicken (a rotisserie chicken will work great) and make rice and steam some broccoli. This will always please a crowd. Believe me, no sales pitch necessary!
A little cheddar goes a long way and creates a lovely golden finish. Go easy on the cheddar or you’ll be swimming in a cheese swamp. Use Greek yogurt as a binder for a delicious, lighter, but still very satisfying cream. Add some broth too. It’s a strong weeknight rep that also holds up for meal prep.
2) Buffalo Chicken Bake
Love the flavors of buffalo wings, but not necessarily being covered head-to-toe in wing sauce? We gotchu. Shredded chicken and roasted cauliflower get tossed with buffalo sauce and a creamy (think: greek yogurt or a light cream cheese blend) base, baked till bubbly, and showered with fresh scallions for color and flavor. It’s the perfect combo of flavors and textures, and has just enough kick to make it an entree-worthy dish. You can always tone it down a bit if you have kiddos or heat-sensitive eaters.
3) Turkey Taco Casserole
Football is over and we can’t have turkey for Thanksgiving yet… What’s a hungry, exhausted-from-emails working girl to do? Ground turkey taco pasta! Brown some ground turkey with taco seasoning, toss in some cooked pasta and some salsa and top with cheese. Serve taco-bar style with shredded lettuce and a side of plain yogurt so everyone can make their own. Add black beans for more protein and heartier portions. Cheap, customizable, filling, easy, and perfect for the first few days you survived the workday instead of scoring a last-minute touchdown and deserve to eat a celebratory team meal just as much.
4) Baked Ziti
Cottage cheese in baked pasta sounds suspicious until you try it, then it’s just practical genius. Mix all ingredients, layer on top of lean ground beef or turkey (another protein source!), top with regular marinara and bake until crispy on the edges. The ricotta, which can be substituted with an equivalent item, particularly in areas where it is expensive, is another protein source and adds to the creaminess of the dish. Makes many servings and holds up to about 3 days .
5) Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This recipe delivers all of that amazing chicken parmesan flavor without the time-intensive chore of standing over the stove flipping cutlets. Use baked breaded chicken (or even chopped baked tenders), layer with marinara and mozzarella, and let the oven handle the rest. Serve this dish over pasta or with some roasted vegetables; it’s totally up to you and your guests. It’s a great option when hosting. This dish is super easy to make, delicious, impressive, and reproducible.
6) Salsa Verde Enchilada Casserole
This is what I make when the fridge looks empty but I still need dinner to do some actual work. Deliciously easy to serve with a scoop, this tasty bake features layers of shredded chicken, salsa verde, tortillas and white beans.
Not only will everyone ask for seconds (trust us), the white beans lend some much needed protein to this recipe while the fresh lime juice, squeezed in at the very end, enlivens it all!
7) Loaded Potato Casserole
Rich, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying, these Chicken and Potato Casserole with Greek Yogurt is the ultimate crowd-pleaser and a great option if you have hearty eaters at the dinner table! Basically all of the best parts of a loaded potato in an easy-to-share form. Dice some potatoes, roast ’em golden brown, mix ’em with chicken and a creamy, rich combination of cheese and Greek yogurt, bake, add green onions, repeat. Add some bacon bits if you’re going for full-on steakhouse loaded potato vibes.
8) BBQ Chicken Casserole
Roasted sweet potatoes go wonderfully well with BBQ chicken. Make a big batch for your next potluck, as it stands up well to transportation and reheats nicely. Just roast some sweet potatoes and then mix them with BBQ sauce and shredded chicken. Make it hearty by adding black beans.
9) Stuffed Shells Casserole
Mix together shredded chicken, spinach, and ricotta (you can use a combination of ricotta and cottage cheese to make this). Spoon into cooked shells. That’s basically it! Stuffed shells are a very simple meal to prepare since you are basically repeating the same steps over and over.
Pour some marinara on top of your stuffed shells and pop them into the oven to bake until bubbly. It’s a hit! You’ll wish you made more if you’re cooking for a large group. It’ll be gone in a heartbeat. That’s always a plus as far as I’m concerned.
10) Breakfast Casserole
Not every casserole has to be a dinner situation: breakfast-for-a-crowd is a real flex, especially on busy weekends. Whisk eggs and part of the milk. Add turkey sausage and veggies. Mix ingredients together and bake until set.
Serve them with some hot sauce at the end of the table for everyone to add as much (or as little) as they like. These are very high in protein, are easy to portion out, and would be good for brunch, meal-prep or easy lunches when inspiration is lacking.
11) French Toast Casserole
This is for the crowd that wants something cozy without a sugar crash an hour later. Best of all, you’re not gonna have to stand in front of the stove, flipping each piece individually, because this one’s baked! The eggs and Greek-yogurt-laced topping bring the protein. Feel free to use higher-protein breads as well! This is the perfect example of a recipe that feels like a weekend treat and acts like a smart meal-plan option.
12) Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
This more sophisticated version of comfort food is a definite winner in our house, try it when you’re catering for fussy eaters and starving adults all at the same table! Combine lean mince turkey with onion, peas, carrots and gravy, pile on the mash and keep baking until the mash has browned nicely and the edges are nice and crispy.
13) Chicken Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese doesn’t have to lose its comforting qualities to pack a protein-rich punch—with just a few modifications. Pro tip: Try pureeing some cottage cheese to use as the basis for the sauce—it turns silky-smooth.
Adding a handful of cooked, chopped chicken is an easy way to bump up the protein factor. Breadcrumbs provide a great, crunchy addition. Guaranteed, your family will think you slaved over this pasta when, in reality, it’s one of the easiest dinners around. Definitely a winner!
14) Chicken Alfredo Bake
Traditional Alfredo sauce may taste amazing, but it’s enough to give you a food-coma feeling. This sauce uses Greek yogurt and parmesan for a protein-packed version of Alfredo. It’s a tad different than what you’re used to, but still rich (for most) and much higher in protein. Give it a try!
Try adding broccoli or peas because they add body and a nice colour. Bake until set, waft everyone within sight with the aroma of Alfredo filling your entire kitchen and watch them file their mental data to conclude that you have your shit together and are thriving.
15) Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Cheesesteak Casserole! Whether you want to serve it on rolls, rice or roasted potatoes, this is an easy way to satisfy everyone’s cravings! If your crew is a fan of peppers and onions, this is a meal they’re going to LOVE! Skip the sandwiches and brown some lean beef, cook up some peppers and onions, top them with cheese and bake. Serve over rice or potatoes. Or if you want to serve it like a cheesesteak, pile them onto some rolls! This recipe easily doubles or triples, too, to make lots of casserole, making this an easy-to-make comfort food everyone loves!
16) Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole is old-school for a reason: it’s affordable, filling, and surprisingly comforting. Tip: Leave out some of the creamy substance and use Greek yogurt to lighten it up a bit. It’s still high-protein but less heavy. I also add some frozen peas for color and a little sweetness and my household “doesn’t like tuna,” but will eat this. They add color and zing without chopping.
17) Salmon Potato Casserole
Seafood casseroles can be a little polarizing, but this one wins them all over thanks to some really familiar flavors in the form of potatoes and salmon. This recipe calls for a prepared, cooked salmon. If you’ve recently baked some, try using the leftovers.
This is a wonderful dish to make when you have people over for dinner. Layers of salmon and soft potatoes come together with dill and are seasoned lightly (leaving room to squeeze on some lemon at the table if desired) and baked in the oven. The end result is hearty but not greasy and does not require any elaborate techniques.
18) Shrimp Rice Bake
Need an easy dinner tonight? Try this Shrimp, broccoli, and rice in a buttery, garlicky sauce comes together in no time and feels like a special dish. TIP: Feel free to use cooked shrimp. If using raw, be sure to add them at the beginning of the recipe and bake just as directed so they’re cooked through but not overbaked (they’ll be rubbery!). Shrimp are a great option for busy nights since they’re a protein that cooks in no time at all!
19) Chicken Parmesan Bake
This casserole is hearty. It’s got the chicken and the white beans bumping the protein content up so it doesn’t feel like you’re just eating a bowl of carbs and cheese. The kale is still very present and doesn’t get lost. Trust me, this is a meal.
The Parmesan creates a salty, crunchy layer on top—it’s a must! It’s the perfect Sunday batch cook / meal prep casserole as the flavours develop even more overnight.
20) Turkey Lasagna Bake
Although it isn’t the star of the dish, which is the turkey, the MVP is the addition of lentils to the recipe. Their texture resembles meat, and when stirred with marinara sauce and ground turkey, they are perfect. Spread the meat and sauce over the noodles or zucchini just like you would for a simplified lasagna and pop in the oven. Minimal effort and it’s good to feed a crowd.
21) Chicken Fajita Casserole
Next up: fajita bar, from start to finish, in one pan. Quinoa (“small grain, big energy” anyone?) is a surprisingly energizing ingredient that makes an excellent casserole base. Here, we’re mixing it with fajita-spiced chicken, peppers, onions, and just enough cheese to bind it all together. The results are colorful, easy to scoop, and absolutely certain to keep your tummy full. Add salsa and avocado on the side (or on top!) and you’ve got a whole spread.
22) Mediterranean Chicken Bake
This is the baked casserole that won’t bog you down, a wonderful change of pace that manages to be so bright and fresh!
Chicken and chickpeas provide the perfect combo of proteins, while tomatoes and olives lend a sweet and salty Mediterranean influence. And even though it’s anything but mild, the dish is not spicy, making it ideal for serving to guests. Tip: Add feta cheese after baking if you’d like it to keep its tangy, creamy quality instead of melting into the sauce.
23) Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Craving takeout but working within a budget? Try this easy, delicious, and inexpensive recipe for Baked Teriyaki Chicken. Cooked chicken is combined with rice, a simple teriyaki-style sauce and some shelled edamame (which add some color, as well as some extra protein) then baked until warmed through and slightly sticky. The finished product is topped with sesame seeds and scallions. The sweet, savory flavor is sure to please kids (and adults!) and makes for a quick lunch bowl when leftovers appear.
24) Enchilada Rice Casserole
Set out some toppings like chopped onion and jalapeño and dollops of yogurt, and let your guests create their perfect bites without making you put in any extra work. The Winner Winner Enchilada Dinner is a crowd-pleaser. Black beans and ground beef bring the protein, enchilada sauce adds tons of flavor with zero additional work, and spoonable rice and melty cheese make the perfect combination when baked together.
25) Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
It’s the addition of chewy wild rice that takes this dish out of cafeteria fare and into weekend dinner territory. It also contributes a nutty flavor. Between the rich, creamy sauce that the chicken and mushrooms soak up as they bake, it’s a great, easy, scoop-and-serve casserole!
This recipe is one that’s sure to please the crowd. It’s flavorful and filling, not too spicy, not too cheesy. Your entire house will smell amazing while it’s cooking and everyone will love it!
26) Cornbread-Topped Casserole
This one’s a two-layer kind of deal, which means you’ll be mixing chicken with corn, black beans, seasonings and a light sauce, dumping it all in a baking dish, smothering that with cornbread batter, then baking until the top’s nice and golden and everything’s hot. Bonus: The hefty cornbread lid means this counts as bread and dinner, it’s easy to carry and slices up well, as it is basically a potluck dream.
27) Greek Turkey Bake
When the whole group dives into this dish they’ll love the different look and feel of the orzo. The ground turkey is substantial and adds lots of protein. Bright, healthy spinach, salty, delicious feta, and the addition of some fresh lemon juice really makes this recipe sing. Give it a try when you’re looking for a change from red sauce pasta!
28) Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake
This would be much better balanced with a side of a simple salad since it is very rich and hearty. It may seem like just cheese stuff but the spinach and artichokes take it to the next level and the chicken adds some much needed protein which is what takes this from an appetizer/dip to an entree. Depending on appetite levels you could serve this with some rice, pasta, or toasted bread!
29) Chili Mac Casserole
Chili mac is very hearty and flavorful. You can double this recipe easily, especially when feeding ravenous teenagers, which will leave you with leftovers, ensuring you can take the next day off cooking duties. Mix together cooked lean beef, beans or both with your favorite chili seasonings and some chopped tomatoes. Add in pasta and combine. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly and warm. Spice level is very adaptable depending on the members of your family.
30) Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Pot Pie Casserole: Inclement weather calls for hearty fare to feed the masses. Chicken pot pie casserole is an easy way to do just that. Loaded with shredded chicken and veggies from the freezer, a creamy concoction holds it all together. It’s covered with biscuits for the perfect, pillowy topping. Not only does it get around the fuss of individual portions, this recipe skips pie crust altogether.
31) Meatball Bake
Polenta holds its shape really well once cooked. Spoon meatballs in marinara sauce right on top of the polenta, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese and bake until bubbly. A super easy but comforting dish that’s super crowd pleasing and makes a ton. Plus, you get to have a pasta based dish with none of those pesky carbohydrates!
32) Pesto Pasta Bake
Need a go-to pesto recipe? Try pesto pasta bake. Pesto is a very flavorful ingredient so it’s a great item to make when you’re feeding a large group. Just add some shredded chicken and peas to some cooked pasta and pesto. Then top with mozzarella or parmesan and bake until bubbly and golden. It’s an alternative to your typical tomato-based pasta and has savory, herbal flavors that will please all of your guests. My kids love it, too. It looks like “green mac and cheese.”
33) Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Stuffed peppers are amazing but stuffing them individually is a lot of work. This casserole tastes EXACTLY like stuffed peppers! It’s a mixture of ground beef, rice, tomato sauce & peppers. Add some beans for a cheaper and more protein filled meal. It’s easy to serve, easy to re-heat & your diners will know what it is.
34) Peanut Noodle Bake
And tofu (which gets a nice chew from being baked, which is crucial, because tofu doesn’t belong at a big dinner party unless it’s well-textured) tossed together with broccoli and the peanutty sauce and baked till the sauce has thickened and clings to everything. That’s the idea. It’s protein-forward without relying on meat, which is great for mixed-diet crowds. Always check with guests to see if there are any allergies before preparing food items! Sunflower-seed butter may be used as a substitute in any of these recipes.
35) Tempeh Pasta Bake
Tempeh has a nice, nutty texture. Because of this, tempeh is the perfect substitute for certain types of ground meats and can be used in meat sauces for pasta, among other things.
Tempeh works well as a meat alternative for high-protein casseroles. Crumble it in a skillet (exactly like you would for meat), simmer in some marinara sauce, top with cheese and bake. Bonus points because the leftovers are even better the next day! Read more: Great way to get high protein for anyone in your family who is interested!
36) Chili Cornbread Casserole
Ready to feed a crowd? This turkey chili is packed with three kinds of beans for extra protein and texture. Spoon the chili into a baking dish then top with cornbread batter and pop in the oven. This grand finale from our collection of Baking Pan Recipes will keep the whole team fed.
Remove from oven when cornbread is set and chili is bubbling around the edges. This recipe makes a LOT, enough to feed the masses. Be thankful for the leftovers, as they’ll make you wish you’d done it twice!
Meal Prep Gear I Use
The gear that makes weekly prep from this list faster.
- Cutluxe Carving Knife and Fork Set. German steel carving knife and fork for roasts, turkey, and anything that needs clean slices.
- Yuiicaov Stainless Steel Baking Sheet Set. Two heavy sheets that do not warp, so roasted vegetables brown instead of steam.
- Greater Goods Cast Iron Skillet. The pan that gets the hardest sear and goes from stovetop to oven without a thought.
