12 Easy Summer Casseroles for Those Last Few Weeks Before School Starts
Your August dinner dilemma is solved.
Summer always flies by! One minute, you’re packing lunches for camp, planning pool days, and soaking up every bit of sunshine—and the next, you’re staring at the calendar wondering how the school year could already be starting so soon. That little stretch between summer activities winding down and busy routines kicking back in can be one of the trickiest times to come up with family meal ideas.
Try a good old’ fashioned casserole. These comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes are exactly what busy families need right now: easy to prep, packed with flavor, and hearty enough to satisfy everyone around the table. Plus, they’re a great way to use up all those fresh summer vegetables, from zucchini and squash to sweet corn and juicy tomatoes, before the season ends.
Some of these casseroles are cheesy, some are veggie-packed, and some are the cozy classics your family will ask you to make again and again. Regardless, all you need is a baking dish, a hungry family, and maybe a little extra time to enjoy those final summer nights. Enjoy it now, ‘cause before you know it, you’ll be planning those back-to-school dinners next!
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Between busy summer days and the return of school routines, this casserole is exactly what you need. Rotisserie chicken, a rich sour cream sauce, and crunchy buttery potato chips come together in one dish.
Get Ree’s Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole recipe.
Sweet Onion Casserole
This casserole transforms a humble vegetable (onions!) into something truly special. It’s packed with tender sweet onions, creamy cheese, and a buttery cracker topping. it’s sure to disappear fast.
Get the Sweet Onion Casserole recipe.
Spinach, Feta, and Sun-Dried Tomato Strata
How about breakfast for dinner? Layers of crusty bread, two types of cheese, and veggies go into this make-ahead dish. Simply prep it ahead, pop it in the oven, and enjoy!
Get Ree’s Spinach, Feta, and Sun-Dried Tomato Strata recipe.
Zucchini Gratin
This cheesy gratin is one of the most delicious ways to put zucchini to good use. Slices are layered with a rich Gruyère cheese sauce, topped with buttery parmesan-panko breadcrumbs, and baked until golden and bubbly.
Get the Zucchini Gratin recipe.
Pineapple Casserole
End summer on a sweet note with this nostalgic casserole. The easy-to-make dish combines bright pineapple flavor with rich cheddar and a crisp cracker topping for a side that’s surprisingly irresistible.
Get Ree’s Pineapple Casserole recipe.
Asparagus Casserole
Anytime of year, this cheesy casserole is a great reason to keep asparagus stocked in the fridge. With a creamy homemade sauce, bright lemony flavor, and a golden crunchy topping, it’s pure comfort.
Get the Asparagus Casserole recipe.
Zucchini Lasagna
Love lasagna but looking for a lighter summer twist? This zucchini version delivers all the cheesy, saucy goodness you crave—just with tender roasted zucchini taking the place of traditional noodles.
Get Ree’s Zucchini Lasagna recipe.
Squash Casserole
Now, here’s a side dish that will disappear fast. Sweet yellow squash is baked with a creamy, cheesy filling, then topped with buttery cracker crumbs and parmesan for the perfect golden crunch.
Get the Squash Casserole recipe.
Corn Soufflé
Nothing says summer quite like fresh corn and this soufflé is one of the best ways to showcase it. It’s three times the corn (sweet corn kernels, creamed corn, and a fluffy, golden finish with corn muffin mix) so it’s perfect for using it up.
Get the Corn Soufflé recipe.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Everything you love about the classic dinner—without the extra work. Instead of filling each pepper by hand, everything bakes together in one dish: fresh bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, ground beef, rice, and melty pepper jack cheese.
Get Ree’s Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe.
Spinach Casserole
Take a classic veggie side dish and make it extra special for summer. Fresh spinach is baked in a rich, cheesy cream sauce and topped with crispy fried onions and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy.
Get the Spinach Casserole recipe.
Baked Oatmeal with Berries
Breakfast or dessert, this keeps the kids happy! Packed with fresh blueberries and raspberries, it bakes into a golden, sliceable dish that you’ll want to make for ever morning between now and the first day of school.
Get the Baked Oatmeal with Berries recipe.
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