8  Make-Ahead Casserole Recipes For Easy Weeknight Dinners

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

A hearty mix of lentils and vegetables makes a delicious filling for this meat-free shepherd's pie; prep ahead by making the filling and potato topping separately, then assemble and bake.

Mexican-Style Lasagna

This Mexican casserole layered with tortillas is easy to assemble, combining ingredients with fresh greens like cilantro and spinach for layers of flavor; assemble ahead and refrigerate, then bake.

Eggplant Parmesan

A crowd-pleasing dish that can be made in advance; assemble ahead or follow the recipe for freezing up to three months for a convenient meal.

Mild Curried Lamb Casserole With Almonds

A riff on the South African dish bobotie, made with ground lamb and fragrant spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger, creating a lively, non-creamy, non-cheesy casserole.

Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin

Assemble this elegant gratin the night before and bake for dinner; the combination of honeynut squash and brie is unexpected and delicious.

Chicken-and-Polenta Puttanesca Melts

A super-fast casserole-like dish using precooked polenta and quick-cooking chicken cutlets for a comforting dinner with minimal prep time.

Summer Beef-and-Rice Casserole

A quick-cooking casserole needing only 20 minutes to bake; prepare the meat sauce ahead or prep the entire dish the night before for a speedy weeknight meal.

Cheddar-Topped Shepherd's Pie

A hearty dish that's easy to put together; make the meat filling and mashed potatoes a day ahead, refrigerate separately, then assemble while the oven heats.