# 4 Budget-Friendly Casseroles To Try

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/4-budget-friendly-casseroles-to-try/
- Published: 2026-10-19T18:07:41-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

There are a lot of things to love about [casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-how-to-make-the-best-taco-casserole/)
s.  They’re easy to make, hearty, often full of cheese, and usually produce a ton
of servings that can easily be packed up for meal prep.  But nothing tops how inexpensive
they can be.  Casseroles frequently call for cost-effective ingredients, like canned
or frozen vegetables and grains you might already have in your pantry.  In fact,
some casseroles are so budget-friendly that they end up costing less than $2 per
serving.

As we all know, life can be very busy!  There is never a wrong time for a great 
[casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-how-to-make-the-best-taco-casserole/)
with the kids’ activities, house management, and working!  These recipes come together
in just a few steps and can be prepped in the morning before you head out the door.
When you get home after a long day, all that’s left to do is pop dinner into the
oven!  Plus, they’re full of cheesy goodness with some snuck veggies!  Yum right?!

If you’re wondering where to find those recipes, look no further.  These 4 [casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-how-to-make-the-best-taco-casserole/)
will cost you only a little, and they are as delicious as they are affordable.  
The list below includes something for whatever you’re craving: tuna, broccoli, or
hamburger potato.  You can make one or two of them on Sunday, so you’ll have leftovers
to serve as quick meals all week long or stash some away in your freezer for later.

## 󠀁[Ground beef and Bean Potato Tot Casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-ground-beef-and-bean-potato-tot-casserole/)󠁿

This easy beef cottage pie will be a new family favorite topped with potato tots
and tasty cheese.

### Basic Recipe Information

#### Nutrition

 * 922 calories per serve

#### Prep time

 * 15 minutes

#### Cook time

 * 50 minutes

#### Total time

 * 1 hour 5 minutes

**Ingredients**

 * 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
 * 1 brown onion, finely chopped
 * 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 * 500g (1 pound) ground beef
 * 555g (1.25 pounds) can of baked beans in tomato sauce
 * 1 cup frozen peas, corn, and carrot
 * 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
 * 1 tbsp tomato sauce
 * 50g (1.7 ounces) Cheddar cheese, grated
 *  500g (18 ounces) frozen potato gems/tots
 * Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves to serve

### Preparation Directions

 * Preheat oven to 200C (400F) /180C (350F) convection ovens.
 * Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
 * Add onion.  Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion softens.
 * Add garlic.
 * Cook for 30 seconds.
 * Add ground beef and break up with a wooden spoon, for 8 minutes or until browned.
 * Add baked beans, vegetables, and sauces.
 * Stir to combine.
 * Bring to a simmer.
 * Season with salt and pepper.
 * Remove from heat.
 * Spoon the mixture into an 8-cup-capacity baking dish.
 * Sprinkle with half the cheese.
 * Top with potato gems/tots.
 * Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
 * Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.
 * Sprinkle with parsley leaves.
 * Serve.

### 󠀁[Broccoli Ham And Cheese Casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/the-broccoli-ham-and-cheese-casserole-a-delicious-and-nutritious-dinner-choice/)󠁿

This Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a family favorite!  Pasta, broccoli, and tender
ham are tossed in a quick and easy from-scratch cheese sauce.  This casserole is
then topped with breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly and golden.

### Basic Recipe Information

#### Nutrition

 * 270 calories per serve

#### Prep time

 * 20 minutes

#### Cook time

 * 20 minutes

#### Total time

 * 40 minutes

### Ingredients 

 * 12 ounces dry macaroni
 * ¼ cup butter
 * ¼ cup flour
 * 1 ½ cups milk
 * 1 cup light cream
 * ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
 * 1 teaspoon onion powder
 * ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
 * ½ teaspoon garlic powder
 * salt & pepper to taste
 * 2 cups sharp cheddar
 * 1 cup gruyere cheese
 * ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese
 * 3 cups broccoli florets
 * 2 cups cubed cooked ham

#### Topping

 * 1 cup bread crumbs
 * 1 tablespoon melted butter
 * ⅓ cup parmesan cheese

### Preparation Direction

 * Preheat oven to 200C (400F) /180C (350F) convection ovens.
 * Cook macaroni according to package directions.
 * Add broccoli in the last 2 minutes to cook it tender and crisp.
 * Drain and run under cold water.
 * Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan.
 * Whisk in flour and let cook for 2 minutes while stirring.  Slowly whisk in cream,
   milk, and seasonings.
 * Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.
 * Remove from heat and stir cheeses until melted.
 * Toss cheese sauce, pasta, broccoli, and ham together.
 * Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.
 * Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over macaroni.
 * Bake 20-25 minutes or just until hot.  Do not overcook.

## 󠀁[Hamburger Potato Casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-hamburger-potato-casserole/)󠁿

An easy casserole recipe with ground beef, cheese, and potatoes – think meaty potatoes
au gratin or cheesy scalloped potatoes with hamburger.

### Basic Recipe Information

#### nutrition

 * 235 calories per serve

#### Prep time

 * 15 minutes

#### Cook time

 * 1 hour 15 minutes

#### Total time

 * 1 hour 30 minutes

**Ingredients**

 * 1-pound lean ground beef
 * 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
 * 1 (10.75 ounces) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
 * ½ cup chopped onion
 * ¾ cup milk
 * salt to taste
 * freshly ground pepper, to taste
 * 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

### Preparation Direction

 * Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175C)/ 325 degrees F (160C).
 * In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain fat.
 * In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, onion, milk, salt, and
   pepper to taste.
 * Alternately layer the potatoes, soup mixture, and meat in an 11×7 inch (2 quart)
   baking dish.
 * Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until potatoes are tender.
 * Top with Cheddar cheese and continue baking until cheese is melted.

## 󠀁[Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole](https://lifeandwork.blog/recipe-easy-tuna-noodle-casserole/)󠁿

Break out a family favorite: tuna casserole.  Traditional comfort food is great 
for serving large groups.

### Basic Recipe Information

#### Nutrition

 * 595 calories per serve

#### Prep time

 * 35 minutes

#### Cook time

 * 1 hour

#### Total time

 * 1 hour 35 minutes

### Ingredients

 * 1(12 ounces) package of egg noodles
 * ¼ cup chopped onion
 * 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
 * 1 cup frozen green peas
 * 2 (5 ounces) cans tuna, drained
 * 2 (10.75 ounces) cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup
 * ½ (4.5 ounces) can of sliced mushrooms
 * 1 cup crushed potato chips

### Preparation Direction

 * Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
 * Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
 * Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C)/ 400 degrees F (200C )
 * Thoroughly mix noodles, onion, 1 cup cheese, peas, tuna, soup, and mushrooms 
   in a large bowl.
 * Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish, and top with potato chip crumbs and the 
   remaining 1 cup cheese.
 * Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the oven or until cheese is bubbly.

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