When it’s dark by 5 p.m. and the wind is howling, nothing beats a bubbling, cheesy casserole. One dish, minimal cleanup, and leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
These 20 cozy casseroles all come from Fork To Spoon, and many are made in the air fryer or slow cooker, so dinner comes together fast even on the busiest December weeknights. You’ll find chicken favorites, hearty beef dinners, cheesy pasta bakes and a few breakfast casseroles for holiday mornings.
Chicken Casseroles
Creamy, cheesy and family-approved, these chicken casseroles are weeknight heroes.
1. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Casserole
All the flavor of classic chicken Parmesan in an easy one-dish dinner, made in the air fryer.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Casserole
2. Air Fryer Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Tastes like Thanksgiving any night of the week. Cooked chicken in a creamy cream-of-chicken sauce gets topped with buttery stuffing, then air fried at 350°F until golden. It serves 6 and freezes before or after cooking.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
3. Air Fryer Mexican Chicken Casserole
Layers of corn tortillas, chicken, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles, finished with Colby-Jack cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Assemble it ahead or freeze it for a busy night.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Mexican Chicken Casserole
4. Ina Garten’s Mexican Chicken Casserole
An easy take on the Barefoot Contessa’s cozy, cheesy Mexican chicken casserole.
Get the recipe: Easy Ina Garten’s Mexican Chicken Casserole
Hearty Beef and Pork Casseroles
Stick-to-your-ribs dinners for the coldest nights of the month.
5. Easy Air Fryer Taco Casserole
Taco-seasoned ground beef with bell pepper, tomato and Rotel under a creamy egg layer, topped with cheddar and green onion. It’s done in about 40 minutes and serves 6.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Taco Casserole
6. Easy Air Fryer Ground Beef Casserole (Low Carb)
A low-carb ground beef bake with taco seasoning, peppers, tomatoes, eggs, sour cream and melty cheddar, air fried at 300°F for 15 to 18 minutes. It keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Ground Beef Casserole
7. Air Fryer Tater Tot Casserole
The classic Midwest comfort food with a crispy tater tot top, made in the air fryer.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Tater Tot Casserole
8. Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
A hearty dump-and-go dinner. Load the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a warm meal.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
9. Air Fryer Ham and Potato Casserole
Thinly sliced potatoes, diced ham and sharp cheddar in a creamy sauce, air fried at 360°F for 20 to 25 minutes. A great way to use leftover holiday ham. It serves 8.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Ham and Potato Casserole
10. Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie
A copycat of the restaurant favorite: a savory beef and vegetable filling with tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme and rosemary under creamy Parmesan mashed potatoes, baked at 400°F. It serves 8 and freezes for up to 3 months.
Get the recipe: Cheesecake Factory Shepherd’s Pie
11. Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie
Classic shepherd’s pie with a crispy golden top, no oven needed.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie
Cheesy Pasta and Potato Casseroles
Carb-loaded comfort for nights when only something cheesy will do.
12. Air Fryer Baked Spaghetti
Spaghetti layered with marinara, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan, plus optional ground beef or Italian sausage. It’s ready in about 22 minutes and serves 6. You can freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Baked Spaghetti
13. Fazoli’s Baked Spaghetti (Copycat)
A homemade version of the Fazoli’s restaurant favorite, cheesy and saucy.
Get the recipe: Fazoli’s Baked Spaghetti
14. Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Three cheeses (sharp cheddar, Colby Jack and mozzarella) in a creamy sauce, baked at 350°F and broiled until bubbly. It serves 16, so it’s ideal for a crowd or a holiday potluck.
Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
15. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole
Buttery, cinnamon-spiced sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans, topped with toasted mini marshmallows. It’s ready in about 32 minutes, and you can make the mixture a day ahead.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Casserole
16. Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy scalloped potatoes made hands-off in the slow cooker, freeing up your oven.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Breakfast Casseroles for Holiday Mornings
All four can be assembled the night before, so Christmas morning is as easy as hitting start.
17. Air Fryer Breakfast Casserole
An easy egg bake with Italian sausage, eggs, heavy cream, diced tomatoes with green chilies and cheddar, baked in ramekins in the air fryer at 340°F for 5 to 8 minutes. It’s ready in about 23 minutes and serves 4.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Casserole
18. Air Fryer Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
Just four ingredients: crescent roll dough, cooked sausage, eggs and cheddar. The crust air fries first, then the filling goes on for a few more minutes. It serves 8, and slices freeze for 2 to 3 months.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
19. Ninja Crispi Easy Breakfast Casserole
Eggs, milk, breakfast sausage, potatoes, bell pepper, onion and cheese, baked at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes. It serves 4 and keeps in the fridge for 4 days.
Get the recipe: Ninja Crispi Easy Breakfast Casserole
20. Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
An easy crockpot breakfast casserole that cooks hands-off, perfect for feeding a houseful of holiday guests.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
Tips for Make-Ahead Casserole Season
- Assemble the night before. Most of these can be built ahead and refrigerated. Add a few extra minutes of cooking time when they go in cold.
- Freeze for busy weeks. The baked spaghetti, shepherd’s pie, taco casserole and air fryer breakfast casseroles freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat in the air fryer. About 5 to 8 minutes at 320 to 350°F brings back the crispy top better than the microwave.
- Cover if it browns too fast. A piece of foil over the top keeps cheese from burning while the middle heats through.
- Let it rest. Five minutes out of the oven or air fryer helps a casserole set up, so it slices cleanly.
Whichever casserole you pick, dinner is one dish away. Stay warm and enjoy!
