If you ask me, Italian casseroles are pure comfort food magic.
These hearty, cheesy bakes are the kind of recipes that make your kitchen smell like your favorite family restaurant. Each one combines pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese in ways that’ll make everyone ask for seconds.
I’ve gathered 13 different casseroles that bring together classic Italian flavors – from layers of tender noodles and creamy ricotta to bubbling marinara and golden mozzarella. They’re the kind of recipes that work just as well for busy weeknights as they do for Sunday family dinners.
These dishes are real crowd-pleasers that’ll feed a hungry group and still leave you with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Best Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 2 cups ready-to-use marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, split for use
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, split for use
- 1 (5-ounce) package garlic-flavored croutons
Total Time: 50-80 minutes
If you love classic Italian food, this chicken parmesan casserole needs to be on your dinner rotation. You can prep most of it ahead of time, which is perfect for those busy weeknights when cooking feels like too much work. Pro tip: For extra flavor, try mixing some Italian seasoning into your marinara sauce before layering it with the chicken.
Best Baked Eyeball Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce (24 oz), portioned
- 1 container ricotta cheese (15 oz, part skim)
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, split
- 1 box dry short-cut pasta (16 oz, cooked and drained)
- 1 container small mozzarella balls (8 oz, fresh)
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives (or 2 oz from a can)
Total Time: 33-45 minutes
This fun Halloween-inspired pasta casserole brings together the best of Italian comfort food with a spooky twist. Made with convenient store-bought spaghetti sauce, creamy ricotta, and fresh mozzarella balls (which look just like eyeballs!), it’s a dish that’ll make everyone at the table smile. With sliced black olives for pupils and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, this easy-to-assemble casserole is perfect for October dinner parties or any time you want to add a playful touch to pasta night.
Best Old-Fashioned Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean minced beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon italian herbs
- 2 cups beef stock
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 1 (25 oz) jar pasta sauce, split
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Total Time: 40-55 minutes
Comforting, family-friendly, and loaded with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, this old-fashioned casserole is a real dinnertime hero.
Made with seasoned ground beef, tender egg noodles, and a rich combination of pasta sauce and creamy cheeses (including cottage cheese for that extra homestyle touch!), this dish brings back memories of grandma’s cooking. Topped with melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese, I’m sure this casserole will become your go-to recipe for busy weeknights.
Delicious Bruschetta Chicken Bake
Ingredients:
- 6 diced roma tomatoes
- 1/3 cup freshly chopped basil
- 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
- 1/4 cup balsamic dressing
- 1 package stuffing mix (6 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons water, if needed
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Total Time: 40-50 minutes
If you love Italian flavors but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this chicken bake is going to become your new go-to dinner. It takes all the best parts of bruschetta – those juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic – and turns them into a filling main dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Pro tip: You can prep the tomato mixture in the morning and keep it in the fridge, letting those flavors blend together while you’re at work. Your family will think you spent way more time on dinner than you actually did!
Delicious Rotisserie Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients:
- Cooking spray, for non-stick use
- 8 oz penne or whole wheat pasta, cooked until just firm
- 2 cups shredded chicken from a cooked rotisserie
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim preferred)
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup italian-style breadcrumbs
Total Time: 40-45 minutes
If you’re a fan of chicken parmesan but don’t have time for all the breading and frying, this casserole is going to be your new go-to dinner. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken saves so much time, and the combination of three Italian herbs gives it that classic restaurant flavor we all love. Pro tip: To make it even more filling, toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach before baking.
Easy Chicken Nugget Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds frozen chicken nuggets
- 16 ounces cooked bowtie pasta (al dente)
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Total Time: 65-80 minutes
Fast, family-friendly, and loaded with ingredients kids actually want to eat (hello, chicken nuggets!), this casserole dish is a weeknight dinner winner.
Made with frozen chicken nuggets (because sometimes convenience is key), al dente pasta, Italian-seasoned tomato sauce, and plenty of melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese, I’m sure this cozy comfort meal will become your new go-to when time is tight.
Easy Gnocchi Casserole Ground Beef
Ingredients:
- 1 pound minced beef
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian herb mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups marinara sauce (use homemade or ready-made)
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Total Time: 30-40 minutes
Fast, comforting, and loaded with Italian-inspired goodness, this gnocchi casserole is a weeknight dinner hero.
Made with pillowy potato gnocchi (no boiling needed!), savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and a perfect blend of ricotta and melted mozzarella cheese, I’m sure this easy dish will become your family’s new favorite comfort food.
Easy Gnocchi Sausage Casserole
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1½ cups diced bell peppers (use any mix like red, green, yellow, or orange)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 pound italian sausage, casings removed
- Two 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes, with juice
- 4 tablespoons concentrated tomato paste
- 1 pound gnocchi
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1½ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 beaten egg
- ½ cup freshly chopped italian flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Total Time: 55-70 minutes
If you love Italian comfort food, this gnocchi casserole is right up your alley. The pillowy potato dumplings mixed with savory sausage and three kinds of cheese make this a dish the whole family will ask for again and again. Pro tip: You can prep all the ingredients the night before and just pop it in the oven when you get home from work – perfect for those busy weeknight dinners.
Easy Ravioli Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 package (20 ounces) chilled cheese ravioli
- 3 1/2 cups tomato pasta sauce
- 2 cups small-curd cottage cheese (4% fat)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- Chopped fresh parsley, optional
Total Time: 45-60 minutes
This no-fuss casserole combines layers of cheese-filled ravioli, rich tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese for a dinner that’s ready in under an hour. Skip the usual lasagna prep and use store-bought ravioli as your pasta layer – it’s a shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor. The cottage cheese adds a creamy texture while the mozzarella and parmesan create that stretchy, melty top that kids love. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.
Healthy Vegetable Lasagna Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 sweet bell pepper, any color, seeded and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced (about 3 cloves)
- 1 large egg, whisked
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried basil)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (or substitute with 16 ounces small curd cottage cheese)
- 2 1/4 cups mozzarella cheese, grated and separated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated and separated
- 24 ounces (around 2 1/2 cups) ready-made or homemade marinara sauce
- 9 no-boil lasagna noodles (or as many as needed for your dish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil
Total Time: 55-70 minutes
If you’re looking for a healthier take on classic Italian comfort food, this veggie-packed lasagna is the way to go. You’ll create wonderful layers of flavor from fresh mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers, all wrapped up in a blanket of three Italian cheeses and homestyle marinara sauce.
While it takes a bit of time to assemble, the no-boil noodles make this recipe much easier than traditional lasagna. As one of our home cooks noted, “I like to prep all my veggies the day before, so putting it together is a breeze when I’m ready to bake.”
When it’s time to eat, serve it with a crisp green salad and some crusty garlic bread. It’s even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or when you’re planning ahead for company. Mangiamo!
Hearty Sardine Noodle Casserole
Ingredients:
- 500g pasta of choice
- 240g canned sardines
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 5g stock cube or 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- Salt, to taste
Total Time: 25-40 minutes
This sardine noodle casserole is filling, comforting, and budget-friendly. Flaky pieces of sardines and al dente pasta are baked in a savory tomato sauce with aromatic onions, garlic, and Italian herbs, creating a perfect balance of seafood and Mediterranean flavors.
It’s an excellent option for busy weeknights, and makes great leftovers that taste even better the next day.
Juicy Bruschetta Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken breast pieces, cut into small chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper, for seasoning
- 1 package (8 ounces) chicken stuffing mix
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) italian-style diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette, split
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons italian seasoning blend
- 1/3 cup chopped basil leaves (optional)
Total Time: 55-75 minutes
This juicy bruschetta chicken casserole combines classic Italian flavors in a comforting, family-style dish. Tender chunks of chicken and melted mozzarella cheese are layered with seasoned stuffing and fresh tomatoes, all brought together by a savory mix of garlic, herbs, and balsamic vinaigrette.
It’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners, and the leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch.
Juicy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
- 1 pound prepared chicken (shredded or chopped)
- 2 teaspoons italian herbs mix
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (used in parts)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded (used in parts)
- 1 1/2 jars spaghetti or marinara sauce (48 ounces in total)
- Optional: chopped basil for topping
Total Time: 55-70 minutes
Get ready to make a cozy, family-style chicken parmesan casserole that comes together in one dish. Layer your favorite pasta with tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and two kinds of melted cheese for a dinner that tastes like it’s from an Italian restaurant. The Italian herbs give it that classic flavor, and you can use rotisserie chicken to save time. Top it with fresh basil from the garden if you’re feeling fancy, or keep it simple – it’s good either way.