My Kids Fight Over Leftovers From 29 Casseroles

Leftovers rarely get this kind of attention, but it seems to have that effect. With 29 casseroles on the list, it’s not just about filling a plate; it’s about defending it from whoever gets to the fridge first. The funny part is how these meals somehow taste even better the next day, which only makes the arguing louder.

A spoonful of stuffed pepper casserole with ground meat, red and green bell peppers, cheese, and rice, garnished with herbs.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Hamburger Casserole

A close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of hamburger casserole, showcasing baked macaroni and cheese layered with ground meat and topped with lettuce and creamy sauce.
Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Feeding a crowd can be a challenge, especially with picky eaters, but Hamburger Casserole gets everyone excited for dinner. With its layers of comforting ingredients, it’s hearty enough to leave everyone satisfied. It’s the kind of dish that always gets kids coming back for more, even eyeing leftovers for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Casserole

French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs.
French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Making something the whole family loves is easy when you serve French Onion Casserole. It’s not every day you find a dish that delivers this kind of flavor in every bite. The kids might argue over who gets the last spoonful, and you’ll be asked to make it again soon. Even leftovers disappear quickly when this is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Vegan French Toast Casserole

Close-up of baked French toast with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with syrup in a baking dish.
Vegan French Toast Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Kids don’t miss out on flavor when you whip up Vegan French Toast Casserole. The texture and sweetness keep them excited for every bite, even when they hear it’s vegan. It’s always impressive to see how fast a tray disappears after breakfast. If there’s anything left, you might have a hard time convincing them to share.
Get the Recipe: Vegan French Toast Casserole

Cabbage Casserole

A close-up of a baked casserole dish filled with creamy cabbage gratin, topped with a golden breadcrumb crust, with a serving spoon partially visible.
Cabbage Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

This is one of those meals that surprises everyone at the table. Cabbage Casserole has a way of winning hearts by blending simple ingredients perfectly together. It ends up being so popular that kids often call dibs on the leftovers. It might not seem like a “kid-favorite” at first glance, but just wait until they try it.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

Someone serving broccoli casserole.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

It’s hard to believe how much kids love Broccoli Casserole once they try it. They don’t even complain about eating broccoli with a dish this good. Arguments over leftover servings prove just how in-demand this one becomes. The combination of flavors ensures it never stays in the fridge for long.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Easy Cornbread Casserole

A portion of a cheesy, golden-brown savory cornbread casserole is being lifted from the dish, showing its flaky crust and gooey cheese filling.
Easy Cornbread Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Family meals get a little more interesting with Easy Cornbread Casserole on the table. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and flavor, and everyone seems to want seconds. Kids especially start negotiations early when it comes to who gets the leftovers. You’ll love how something so simple can create so much mealtime excitement.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cornbread Casserole

French Toast Casserole

A person taking a portion of French toast casserole.
French Toast Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Weekend mornings get better with French Toast Casserole coming out of the oven. There’s something about its texture and warmth that everyone loves. You might find the kids hovering in the kitchen, hoping to grab seconds before it’s all gone. Leftovers rarely stay uneaten with this one, but those who get them feel pretty lucky.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Casserole

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Close-up of a savory biscuit with a creamy ham filling, looking like a gourmet twist on a Biscuits and Gravy Casserole, served elegantly on a plate.
Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Breakfast doesn’t get more crowd-pleasing than Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. Once it’s served, kids rush to fill their plates, knowing this is always a favorite. It’s one of those dishes where leftovers feel like a prize to whoever gets them. Don’t be surprised if there’s plenty of negotiating for the last scoop.
Get the Recipe: Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Close-up of a chicken and dumpling casserole dish filled with vegetables, including peas, carrots, and chunks of biscuit mixed with tender pieces of meat in a creamy sauce.
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bringing Chicken and Dumpling Casserole to the table guarantees empty plates. Its cozy, layered flavors make it a regular favorite, especially with kids. The leftovers rarely stay untouched because everyone loves them reheated just as much. It’s no wonder this dish keeps getting added to the weekly menu rotation.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Close-up of a tater tot breakfast casserole topped with melted cheese, sliced green onions, and chopped herbs.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mornings feel like a celebration when Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is on the table. It’s a perfect mix of flavors and textures that kids can’t stop talking about. Leftover slices are always claimed quickly because they taste just as good later. Even the pickiest eaters have a hard time saying no to this one.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Sausage Casserole

A baked dish containing sliced sausages, potatoes, and green beans in a white casserole dish with a serving spoon.
Sausage Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

No one ever complains when Sausage Casserole is served for breakfast or dinner. It’s hearty and leaves everyone asking for seconds before the platter is even half empty. Leftovers don’t last long because they’re just as good reheated as fresh out of the oven. You’ll want to make another batch soon after seeing how fast it’s devoured.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Casserole

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

A close-up of a spoonful of chicken stuffing, showcasing croutons, shredded chicken, peas, carrots, and sprinkled herbs.
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Comforting dinners don’t get much better than Chicken and Stuffing Casserole. Each bite feels warm, familiar, and just right for any night of the week. Arguments over who gets the leftovers prove this dish leaves a lasting impression. Once you try this one, it’s hard not to make it a family staple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Pancake Casserole

A baked French toast casserole topped with powdered sugar, sliced strawberries, and blueberries in a white dish.
Pancake Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Mornings get sweeter when families start their day with Pancake Casserole. Kids love the idea of pancakes in casserole form, and it becomes an instant classic. Leftovers never seem to make it past lunchtime because it’s impossible not to sneak “just one more bite.” Don’t be surprised if they keep asking for this one on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Pancake Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

A person scooping a sweet potato casserole out of a baking dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When it comes to dessert-like sides, nothing beats Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows. It’s a crowd favorite that kids especially can’t get enough of. Leftovers spark serious debates about who should get the last bite. Sweet and comforting, this one disappears every single time.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Fork lifting a serving of cheesy cheeseburger casserole garnished with parsley.
The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

It’s surprising how this brings kids together over leftovers. The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole layers so many familiar flavors that it feels like dinner and lunch get an upgrade. Even picky eaters seem drawn to how it combines family favorites into one dish. Kids will love claiming the leftovers for meals the next day.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Cheeseburger Casserole

Ham and Potato Casserole

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of cheesy casserole with chunks of ham and potatoes from a baking dish.
Ham and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

No one expects such simple ingredients to cause a stir, but somehow they do. Ham and Potato Casserole manages to blend textures and flavors just right for everyone at the table to want more. Breaking it down for lunch leftovers becomes a fight in a family with hearty eaters. There’s something so comforting about sharing heated-up portions later.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole

Cowboy Casserole

Close-up of a cowboy casserole in a white dish, showing layers of ground meat and vegetables topped with a golden-brown mashed potato crust, garnished with chopped parsley.
Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sometimes it’s the hearty dishes that stick around for late-night snacks or lunch the next day. Cowboy Casserole has this way of being filling yet tempting for even the smallest portions left over. It becomes the leftover that older siblings tend to hide from themselves. No one remembers it being this good the first time it was served.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple casserole in a casserole dish with a serving spoon in it.
Pineapple Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Combining something sweet with a dish doesn’t often set off a scramble for seconds, but here it does. Pineapple Casserole surprises everyone with how satisfying it is. What’s most fun is finding the sweet-tooth sibling who hoards the leftovers. Families tend to remember this one because of how fast it goes, even in cold weather.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

Taco Casserole

A bowl of taco casserole topped with melted cheese, black olives, tomatoes, and green onions, with a creamy dip in the background.
Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Tacos are always a favorite, but turning them into a shareable dish makes everything easier. Taco Casserole quickly turns into the leftovers kids call dibs on days after it’s served. That layered flavor ensures everyone recalls it when they need a quick leftover snack meal. It doesn’t take much to bring the pan back out of the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Close-up of a chicken noodle casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with chopped herbs.
Chicken Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Combining a warm, familiar classic with a casserole brings surprising results. Chicken Noodle Casserole is one of those meals that always leaves empty bowls at the end of dinner. It doesn’t surprise anyone when a battle for any leftovers starts the next day. Everyone wants it because it’s just as tasty reheated as it is when prepared fresh.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Best Tuna Casserole

Tuna casserole in a white baking dish.
Best Tuna Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Tuna in a casserole format isn’t always the most popular idea at first. Best Tuna Casserole wins families over because it just works, especially with leftovers to spare. The creamy texture becomes the kind of thing everyone seems to crave the day after. Each forkful keeps everyone coming back for “just one more bite.”
Get the Recipe: Best Tuna Casserole

Easy Chicken Casserole

A fork lifting a cheesy bite from a bowl of chicken casserole topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.
Easy Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Whoever said simple can’t be satisfying hasn’t tried this. Easy Chicken Casserole turns into the kind of dish that leaves everyone checking to see how much is left. A second round for lunch or dinner feels like a given in most families. No one is surprised when it’s heated up and gone within a day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Casserole

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Corn doesn’t always seem like it would work like this, yet it does here. Corn Casserole turns into one of those dishes families quietly hope there’s extra of. The way the ingredients come together makes leftovers a heated topic. It’s fun to see how fast everyone claims it once a second round comes up.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Easy Walking Taco Casserole

A freshly baked taco casserole garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.
Easy Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A twist on something portable makes this fun to enjoy and hard to share. Easy Walking Taco Casserole feels just like its inspiration but is even easier to split. Leftovers become a favorite for grabbing and reheating on the go. No one is shocked when it’s the first dish kids check for after school or practices.
Get the Recipe: Easy Walking Taco Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

A casserole dish filled with green bean casserole with a spoon in it.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Something simple like green beans doesn’t scream “must have,” but this dish flips that idea around. Green Bean Casserole makes an ordinary ingredient into something worth arguing over. Parents might even find themselves hoping for leftovers once the kids call dibs. It’s fun seeing how a little creativity turns into a family fridge favorite.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Easy Tater Tot Casserole

A serving of tater tot casserole on a spoon.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Tater tots make everything feel a bit more fun, even leftovers. Easy Tater Tot Casserole becomes surprisingly addictive when it’s still good the second or third day. The fridge battle is real with this one as kids try to snag pieces for themselves. Leftovers disappear even faster than the original servings on the dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tater Tot Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A serving of creamy chicken pot pie casserole with vegetables, lifted on a fork, with a flaky crust and garnished with herbs.
Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pot pie in casserole form feels like such a cozy choice that no one sees leftovers coming. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole always feels like home, especially sitting in the fridge for the next day. Reheated portions somehow make kids fight to get the first scoop. Finding this dish disappearing happens faster than with most casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole

A baking dish filled with golden-brown baked tuna noodle casserole, topped with breadcrumbs and garnished with chopped parsley.
Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Mixing tuna with noodles and turning it into a casserole turns basic into memorable. Tuna Noodle Casserole has this way of being even better a day or two in. Packing it for school lunches turns into a quiet contest no one expected. Some dishes just belong with the title “leftover favorite,” and this fits the bill.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A spoonful of stuffed pepper casserole with ground meat, red and green bell peppers, cheese, and rice, garnished with herbs.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bell peppers aren’t every kid’s favorite, but somehow this works. Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines flavors in a way that has leftover-haters reconsidering their stance. It becomes the dish everyone quietly hopes comes back out of the fridge for a quick meal. Sharing it rarely becomes the next day’s plan once it gets reheated again.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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