Back-to-school season comes with so many commitments—team sports, after-school activities, homework, clubs, and more. With so much schedule juggling, it can get hard to put a whole meal on the table.
When you want a warm and satisfying family meal, but you don’t have time to actually make one, the solution is to stock your freezer full of ready-to-bake casseroles. The easiest way to do it is to double up the casserole recipe, and freeze a whole casserole for later. Try 20 of our most popular make-and-freeze casseroles, and get tips for freezing, thawing, and baking them.
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Broccoli Chicken Divan
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
“This is one of my ‘go to’ recipes because it’s easy and oh so good,” said one Allrecipes community member.
Double up and freeze this Chicken Divan for up to three months. Place the casserole in a shallow, airtight container for the longest shelf life. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F.
Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole
fabeveryday
Allrecipes member Lindalou, who shared this recipe, suggests freezing half of this meal because it makes so much.
“One of my favorites,” shared one Allrecipes community member. “I have a family of five, and with my neighbor and his daughter, more times than not, [I make enough for] seven. This recipe is always more than enough. I highly recommend it for potlucks or meal trains.”
Tuna Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
This delicious classic has over 1,500 5-star ratings—and for good reason. It’s hearty, creamy, and beloved by many.
If you plan to freeze tuna casserole, go ahead and make it in a foil pan. Allow the casserole to cool, then wrap the whole thing in storage wrap. Wrap it again in a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven or microwave.
Taco Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This is absolutely delicious,” raved one Allrecipes community member. “I made it once exactly as is and the kids wanted it again the next day, so I had to substitute corn instead of chili beans. That was also delicious.”
The recipe developer notes this casserole freezes well, and suggests covering your pan in plastic wrap first, then tin foil, for best results. If you’re making two at once (one for now, one to freeze) hold off on adding the tomatoes in the frozen version. When you’re ready to bake the frozen one, add the fresh tomatoes right on top for a bright pop.
Tater Tot and Bacon Breakfast Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
When it comes to back-to-school season, breakfast can be just as busy as dinner. And there’s no better way to start your morning than enjoying a warm and hearty breakfast casserole. This one won our Best Recipes of 2023 award, too!
“Easy, economical, delicious,” said one Allrecipes member. “My picky family disappeared the whole casserole in one meal! I couldn’t even get a picture, it was gone that fast! Saving this one, for sure!” This casserole can be reheated right from the freezer—perfect for extra busy mornings.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“My son had a second plate for the first time ever, that’s how much he likes this recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “I follow the recipe exactly. Another recurring rotation on our dinner table!”
This one is extra easy to customize—add in some zucchini, carrot, or any veggie you want to use up.
Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
“This casserole was amazing,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “I have made a lot of recipes but this may be my favorite ever. It was deliciously cheesy and packed full of flavor. My mom couldn’t believe it got so much flavor from just a few simple ingredients! It was amazing! So cheesy and comforting! We served it with sour cream, queso, guacamole, and chips.”
Cabbage Roll Casserole
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
“This was fabulous,” said one Allrecipes community member. “I halved the recipe because of the comments that it made too much (author note: make the other half and freeze it). Not a crumb left. Made it according to the recipe. No changes at all. Highly recommended!”
Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Our recipe testers suggest freezing this casserole before baking it, unlike several of the other casseroles listed in this article. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake according to the recipe.
“After the first bite, the family proclaimed that this recipe was a keeper,” said an Allrecipes community member. “I mixed the chicken, ham, and cheese in with the sauce. It was so creamy and cheesy!”
Ham, Potato, and Broccoli Casserole
This popular casserole calls for French fries, but many reviewers substituted frozen potato nuggets, hash browns, or thinly sliced potatoes with happy results. One Allrecipes member suggests you “put this dish in the freezer and bake whenever you’re too lazy to cook!”
Turkey Tater Tot Hot Dish
Chef John
This Chef John recipe is beloved all across the Midwest. The contrast between the savory, saucy, meaty turkey on the bottom, and the crispy, cheesy tater tot top makes this absolutely irresistible.
“I made it exactly as listed,” said a reviewer. “It is so good! We all loved it! Thanks Chef John!”
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
This chicken pot pie casserole comes together very quickly when you use cooked chicken, frozen vegetables, and prepared dough. It’s rich, delicious, and full of flavor thanks to the parsley and thyme. The dough spirals on top make it look super fancy and fun!
Spinach Lasagna
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Lasagnas are one of the easiest dishes to freeze and reheat, and with all the spinach and cheese in this vegetarian dish, you won’t even notice the meat is missing.
Corn Dog Casserole
Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga
Your kids are sure to love this family-friendly dish—but we think you will too.
“This tastes like the best corndog,” said an Allrecipes community member. “I used some leftover hot dogs from an event. I served it with a bit of mustard on the side. It was delicious! I’m sure you can play around with it. I was thinking of adding broccoli next time for a more balanced meal. I will make this again!”
Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Cinnamon rolls are often sold frozen, so this cinnamon roll casserole will be great reheated on a busy morning.
“I love this,” shared one reviewer. “At first I thought it might be a bit too sweet but it was not. My fiancé, who is a picky eater, loved it as well. Now I don’t have to buy donuts—he said this was much better than any donut!”
Chicken Pot Pie
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Not to reopen the “is a taco a sandwich” debate, but I’d argue a Chicken Pot Pie is a type of casserole. Regardless, this Easy Chicken Pot Pie is great to enjoy both fresh and reheated. Think of it as a Marie Callender’s meal, but even better! Several commenters suggested par-baking the bottom crust to get it extra crispy.
Shepherd’s Pie
Photographer: Brie Goldman / Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans / Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Future you will be so grateful to have this delicious and comforting Shepherd’s Pie already prepared in the future.
“Delicious,” said one reviewer. “Easy to make and the entire family loves it. I will definitely make it again and again.”
Pulled Pork Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This pulled pork casserole with black beans and corn is an easy stir-together casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck. Top with pickled onions and coleslaw after baking—whether baking day of, or reheating frozen leftovers.
“Great stick to the bones meal,” said one Allrecipes member.
Eggplant Parmesan
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Cooked Eggplant Parmesan can be frozen for up to three months. Store in a well-sealed, freezer-safe baking pan or freezer bags. When reheated, serve with extra sauce—eggplant is highly absorbent.
“This is absolutely delicious,” said one Allrecipes member. “I took the leftovers and portioned it out and froze. I figured it would be nasty but no! I put it frozen on foil and reheated in the air fryer. It was really, really tasty.”
Spaghetti Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“I loved this casserole,” said an Allrecipes reviewer. “I had some leftovers and it got even better the second time around.” This family-friendly classic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, or frozen for up to three months.