37 Summer Casserole Recipes

Casseroles are lifesavers when you don’t have much time to cook — especially summer casseroles. By just mixing a couple of ingredients and popping them into the oven, you can have dinner ready in under 30 minutes. Plus, they’re so versatile, you could eat a different type of casserole every day and never get tired of them.

And the best part is that they’re not only great for the chillier months, but you can also enjoy a hearty casserole all year round! Below you’ll find over 30 summer casserole recipes all your friends and family will love! These are great for any occasion, from a busy weeknight to a summer barbecue.

What are the five components of a summer casserole?

The components of a casserole are really up to you. But typically, a casserole consists of protein, starch, a vegetable, a sauce, and cheese. You can adjust this to suit you, however. The most important thing is that it’s delicious and has some kind of binding agent (like cheese!), so the whole dish doesn’t immediately fall apart on your plate.

Proteins For Casseroles

• Canned tuna
• Canned chicken
• Ground beef
• Ground bison
• Ground elk
• Leftover shrimp
• Leftover taco meat (seriously, try it!)
• Rotisserie chicken
• Ground chicken
• Sausage/ground sausage
• Ground turkey
• Butter beans, kidney beans, chickpeas (any canned beans!)

Veggies For Casseroles

• Canned corn
• Frozen corn
• Frozen broccoli
• Canned asparagus
• Canned tomatoes or tomato paste

Casserole Sauces

• White gravy
• Creamy mushroom sauce
• Sour cream sauce
• Alfredo sauce

Best Cheese for Casseroles  

The best cheese for casseroles is anything that is already shredded. But a few of our favorite shredded cheese, those that easily melt are:

• Cheddar
• Mozzarella
• Fontina 
• Provolone 
• Muenster

Is it better to bake a casserole covered or uncovered?

Typically a good rule of thumb when baking a casserole is to cook it covered for a certain amount of time and then remove the cover (lid or tinfoil) and cook for the last few minutes uncovered. 

Baking a casserole covered allows it to stay moist and cook evenly. But baking a casserole uncovered allows the dish to brown and crispy. So depending on what you’re cooking, a combo of the two usually works out perfectly. When in doubt, follow the recipe you are using. You can always throw the dish back into brown longer, but you can undo a burnt casserole. Obviously.

Why are casseroles so popular in the Midwest?

Let’s be honest, casseroles and the Midwest get a bad wrap. Though I’m not really sure why. Sure, casseroles have long been a staple in Midwestern cuisine.

Casseroles are great, and for good reasons:

• My parents are from the Midwest and my mom says that one factor is the harsh, cold winters. Frigid weather calls for warm and comforting food. 
• Casseroles can be made in bulk, using fresh ingredients when they’re available, and then deep frozen and served when those horrid snow storms hit you upside the head (my mother’s actual words).
• Lastly, let’s be honest, Midwesterners are neighborly people. Casseroles are easy to make and drop off at friends and family when anyone needs a hand or a pick me up.

The Best Summer Casserole Recipes

If you’re looking for some quick and simple dinner ideas for the warmer months of the year, you’ll love these 37 summer casseroles! They’re so simple to make you’ll have dinner ready in no time. Plus, they’re a great way to make use of seasonal ingredients.

Taco Casserole

This simple taco-in-a-bag recipe can be made in under 30 minutes! All you’ll need is ground beef, onions, tomatoes, sweet corn, salsa verde, cheddar cheese, and a bag of your favorite chips.

Summer Vegetable Gratin

This summer casserole is perfect for vegetarians. It asks for seasonal vegetables, such as zucchini and tomatoes, and plenty of parmesan cheese.

Lasagna Casserole

This lasagna casserole combines your favorite pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and tons of cheese to make a simple but filling dish!

Crockpot Pierogi Casserole

This simple crockpot pierogi recipe is perfect for making dinner with little to no effort.

Chicken Crescent Casserole

This chicken crescent casserole makes the perfect dinner on a busy weeknight. It’s best served with a bowl of crunchy green beans on the side.

Bacon Cheeseburger Gnocchi Casserole

Burgers are a classic summer food, and this flavor-packed cheeseburger and gnocchi casserole is no exception.

Meatball Casserole

This meatball casserole is not only delicious but is the perfect dish for meal prepping, as it can be made ahead of time.

Turkey Rice Casserole

This turkey rice casserole is a simple way to make use of leftovers. Just assemble all the ingredients together in a baking dish and bake everything in the oven until it’s warm and crispy.

Tater Tot Casserole

If you’re looking for a simple dinner recipe, you should try out this casserole filled with crispy tater tots, flavorful ground beef, and tons of cheddar cheese.

Mexican Street Corn Casserole

Topped with a sprinkling of cotija cheese and cilantro, this Mexican street corn casserole is the perfect dish to bring to a bbq.

Tuscan Sausage Pasta Casserole

This creamy Italian sausage pasta is the perfect meal for a romantic date night.

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

This chili cheese dog casserole is a fun twist on two classic comfort foods.

Fresh Tomato Casserole

This is probably one of my favorite summer casseroles. This delicious tomato casserole, topped with fresh basil, is the perfect dish for a light dinner.

Southern Squash Casserole

This yellow squash casserole recipe is packed with flavor, extra cheesy, and topped with a crunchy layer of crackers.

Garlic Spinach Orzo

This creamy orzo with garlic and spinach can be enjoyed with a juicy rib-eye steak or all by itself.

Tuna Pasta Casserole

If you’re looking for a simple dinner recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes, this one-pan tuna casserole is a great choice.

Stuffed Mushroom Casserole

This simple stuffed mushroom casserole is the perfect appetizer for a game night or a casual dinner with friends.

Baked Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

This fun twist on a classic Italian dish is the perfect way to make use of everyone’s favorite summer veggie.

Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes are great all year round, and these scalloped potatoes are no exception.

Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole

These delicious chicken enchiladas are delicious and very simple to make, plus they’re a great way of using those chicken leftovers in your fridge.

Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

This creamy chicken and broccoli casserole makes for a yummy and filling meal. Instead of store-bought frozen veggies, you can freeze fresh broccoli to make this dish in the warmer months.

Berries & Cream French Toast Casserole

If you like to start your days with a sweet note, you’ll love this creamy French toast casserole!

Spicy Shrimp And Grits Casserole

This is a fun and delicious take on a Southern classic that everyone will love. If you love this casserole, you’ll also like this crab and shrimp pot pie.

Stuffed Pepper Summer Casserole 

This stuffed pepper casserole is only made with six ingredients, including bell pepper, Italian sausage, rice, chicken broth, and cheese.

Also try: Stuffed Pepper Soup

Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

This oven-baked tomato and beans dish goes well with fried eggs or tortilla chips.

Also try: Crispy Air Fryer Butter Beans

Sausage And Eggs Casserole

This breakfast casserole, packed with seasonal veggies, is perfect for a filling but healthy breakfast in the mornings. It’s also a great breakfast birthday idea.

Chicken ‘n Waffles Casserole

This chicken and waffles casserole is great for pleasing large crowds.

Baked Artichoke Hearts

This artichoke casserole, topped with seasoned breadcrumbs, is a versatile side dish you can serve with any meal.

Green Chilaquiles Casserole

There’s no better way to start your day than with this classic Mexican breakfast food!

Tuscan Tuna Mac Casserole

This fun twist on the classic tuna noodle casserole makes for a filling and healthy brunch.

Baked Shrimp Summer Scampi

This is one of the simplest shrimp scampi recipes out there! It’s perfect for large crowds and a great way to use up leftover shrimp.

Pizza Margherita Quinoa Casserole

This simple quinoa casserole is a great option for those trying to eat healthier!

Cornbread Casserole

This delicious casserole takes this classic comfort food to the next level. Use fresh corn or frozen corn, whatever you have on hand. When you’re done with this recipe, checkout our post on what to do with leftover cornbread.

Strata With Chorizo and Red Pepper

This cheesy strata is not only for breakfast, you’ll want to eat it all day round.

Jalapeño Popper Bake

This cheesy jalapeno popper casserole is a crowd-pleaser, so you’ll want to bring it to your next summer cookout!

Also try: Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Southern Pineapple Summer Casserole

This delicious pineapple casserole is the perfect side dish for pork chops, ham, or chicken.

Have questions or suggestions about these summer casseroles? Leave them in the comments below.

Summer Casserole FAQs

What are summer casseroles? 

Summer casseroles are baked dishes that utilize fresh, seasonal ingredients commonly found during the summer months. They can be savory or sweet and often incorporate a variety of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains.

Are summer casseroles served hot or cold? 

While traditionally casseroles are served hot, some summer casserole recipes can also be enjoyed at room temperature or even cold, making them a versatile choice for summer gatherings or picnics.

Can summer casseroles be made in advance? 

Absolutely! Many summer casseroles can be prepared ahead of time, then baked just before serving. This makes them a convenient option for meal planning or entertaining.

What are some common ingredients in summer casseroles?

Ingredients in summer casseroles often include seasonal vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, and bell peppers; proteins like chicken, shrimp, or beans; and lighter cheeses like mozzarella or feta. For sweet casseroles, fruits like berries, peaches, or cherries are common.

How can I make my summer casserole healthier?

You can boost the nutritional content of your summer casserole by using whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of seasonal vegetables. Reducing the amount of cheese and using low-fat or plant-based alternatives can also help to reduce the calorie count.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover summer casserole should be cooled to room temperature, then covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator. It typically lasts for 3-5 days, making it great for meal prep.

Can I freeze a summer casserole?

Yes, most summer casseroles can be frozen. Just be sure to let the casserole cool completely before freezing, and store it in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, defrost in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed.

More Summer Recipes

36 Summer Cookie Recipes

11 Recipes Using Lemon Cake Mix

16 Summer Beef Recipes

32 Summer Chicken Recipes