These small casserole recipes won't leave you with a ton of unwanted leftovers!
By: Natalie Taylor, Editor, AllFreeCasseroleRecipes.com
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When there are only two of you to feed, it's nice to have recipes that fit your needs. Though leftovers allow you to take a night off from cooking, eating the same thing for days can get boring.
We've created this collection,Just the Two of Us: 28 Casserole Recipes for Twoso you can make the perfect portion for you and your plus one. That being said, these recipes aren't just for couples! If you'recooking for just one, you'll have enough left over to enjoy the next day.
With the help of our recipe collection, you canplan your meals perfectly. Gone are the days of eating endless leftovers just because you don't want to be wasteful. There's enough variation in our collection below that you could cook your way through these recipes and not get tired of them. Try our favorite small-batch recipes for mac and cheese,tater tot casserole, apple crisp, and much, much more.
Whether you're an empty-nester who wants to make smaller meals, you are just learning how to cook for the first time, or you just want to freshen up your recipe repertoire, these our recipe collection will get you off to a great start.
Table of Contents
Cooking for Two: Tips and Tricks from an Expert
Since it can be a challenge to learn how to cook for two, we askedChristina Lane fromDessert for Twofor her best tips:
What types of bakeware do you recommend for making casseroles for two?
Christina Lane: "When it comes to baking for two, there are a couple dishes I use the most: two 10-ounce ramekins are great for small batches of baked macaroni and cheese, and a standard 9-inch bread loaf pan is great forlasagna. In some cases, I just cut a 9 x 13 casserole recipe in half and bake it in a 8-inch square brownie pan. I usually get 4-6 servings, which is still more than 2 but a lot less than 10 servings!"
Do you have a go-to recipe for two?
CL: "My go-to casserole recipe for two is a small batch ofenchiladas!"
What tips do you have for stocking a kitchen for making meals for two?
CL: "My best tip for stocking a kitchen for two is to only buy what you need. It's tempting when 5 pounds of ground meat is on sale to buy all of it, but unless you know you will divide it up and freeze it, it might go to waste. I also love to shop at farmer's markets and utilizeCSAsto receive smaller portions of protein, which helps with the waste."
Breakfast Casserole Recipes for Two
These casseroles for two are perfect for those times when you crave a filling breakfast, but you don't want tons of leftovers. We've included a mix of sweet and savory recipes, so there's something to choose from no matter your mood. Find everything from egg casserole to baked oatmeal, and even Pineapple Breakfast Casserole below.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Casserole
This bacon and egg casserole makes an individual serving, so it's great for one person but could also be doubled to make enough for two.
Pineapple Breakfast Casserole
Pineapple, breadcrumbs, and Cheddar cheese might sound like an unusual combination, but this sweet and savory recipe would be a delicious choice for any meal.
Ham and Potato Breakfast Casserole for Two
Seasoned diced potatoes from the freezer aisle and ham add the perfect amount of flavor to this easy egg casserole. It makes two generous portions, so there's enough to share!
Cherry Vanilla Baked Oatmeal
Dried cherries, pecans, and a vanilla bean makes this recipe more special than standard baked oatmeal recipes. Plus, you can even brulee some sugar on top for a fancy touch!
Tiramisu Oatmeal Bake For Two
This tiramisu oatmeal is truly something special! Sliced bananas are coated in cocoa powder and baked in the oven. Top each bowl of oatmeal with the bananas for an incredible breakfast.
Chicken Casserole Recipes for Two
If you are trying to get used to cooking for two, but still miss your go-to chicken casseroles, these recipes are great stepping stones.
We've included a classic comfort food recipe, Chicken Pot Pie for Two, that you'll want to put into yourweekly rotation. If you'd like to try recipes that are quick to make but are lightened up a bit, try Chicken and Veggie Risotto Bake or Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with Quinoa. Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas for Two is a recipe that seems like it would be complicated to make, but it's actually very easy. If you are a vegetarian who loves Mexican food, you can easily substitute the chicken for canned pinto beans instead!
Chicken Pot Pie for Two
For a healthier twist on pot pie, look no further than this veggie-loaded recipe. This recipe isn't made with cream or potatoes, but is still topped with puff pastry for a nod to the classic recipe.
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with Quinoa
This easy chicken broccoli casserole is made with cream of chicken soup and Greek yogurt so it is loaded with protein! If you're looking for a guilt-free meal, turn to this casserole.
Chicken and Veggie Risotto Bake
Pre-packaged veggie risotto and chicken creates this tasty casserole. Breadcrumbs and a few different types of cheese make this recipe even more delicious.
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas for Two
These chicken enchiladas are so easy to make, especially if you already have cooked chicken! The creamy sauce is made from a simple combination of jarred salsa verde and sour cream.
Beef Casseroles for Two
When you think of casseroles with beef, you probably think of big-batch recipes that can feed a crowd. These recipes will prove you wrong! Flank Steak Pie is a creative way to use up leftover steak. Crescent Roll Casserole is a savory ground beef casserole that will leave enough leftovers for lunch the next day. Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole for Two and Cozy Tater Tot Casserole for Two each use a half pound of ground beef, so you could try both recipes to use up the whole pound.
Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole for Two
Indulge your craving for comfort food with this tater tot casserole for two. Even though this uses a partial can of cream of mushroom soup, the leftover soup can be frozen in a freezer bag.
Crescent Roll Casserole for Two
If you're looking for a new way to use ground beef and crescent rolls, this is a great choice. Salsa and chili powder adds Tex-Mex flavor to this casserole for two.
Cozy Tater Tot Casserole for Two
While this recipe includes instructions for homemade cream of mushroom soup, you can use canned cream of mushroom soup if you are short on time.
Comfort Food for Two
Comfort food is always a good idea. However, if you're only cooking for a few, the dread of having too many leftovers can prevent you from enjoying a hearty meal. These casseroles for two are the perfect solution to your comfort food conundrum.
Keep this collection ofcasseroles for twohandy and you'll have the perfect rotation of meals. Whether you're cooking for two or just cooking for one, you will be able to make a wonderful meal and have the perfect amount of leftovers. However, you might find that these casseroles are so delicious you won't have any leftovers at all!
Tuna Noodle Casserole for Two
Sometimes you crave tuna noodle casserole but don't want to get stuck with a ton of leftovers. Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs add the perfect amount of crunch to the tops.
Best Ever Bacon Mac and Cheese for Two
If you're looking for a mac and cheese recipe that's really special, go for this one! Gruyere, Cheddar, and bacon give this recipe incredible flavor and cheesy goodness.
20 Minute Baked Mac and Cheese
Cooked pasta is combined with a rich cheese sauce before it's baked in a casserole pan. The next time you need a quick mac and cheese recipe, look no further than this recipe!
Small-Batch Turkey Shepherd's Pie
After a holiday meal, this is a great way to use up turkey and mashed potatoes. You could also make this recipe with shredded chicken, if that is more readily available.
This creamy casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Bacon, homemade garlic cream sauce, and toasted bread crumbs make up this tasty recipe.
Cheesy Broccoli Casserole for Two
Chicken and/or broccoli can be used as add-ins in this satisfying broccoli casserole. This recipe also includes a recipe for homemade cream of mushroom soup!
Healthy Casseroles for Dinner
Cooking for two doesn't mean just eating smaller versions of comfort food casseroles. You can still eat healthy while cooking casseroles for two!
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna for Two is a great option if you're a vegetarian or you just don't want to spend monkey on meat. One-Pan Baked Tilapia is light and guilt-free meal that is still satisfying. Skillet Paleo Casserole for Two is arecipe that follows the Paleo dietand can be on the table in just 30 minutes. Sweet Potato Surprise is a unique casserole that is vegan and can also be gluten-free!
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna for Two
Roasted vegeables are layered with lasagna noodles and creamy cheese sauce. This casserole is so satisfying that you won't even miss the meat!
Skillet Paleo Casserole for Two
Ground turkey, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, and mushrooms create this simple and healthy skillet meal. This is a great way to use up produce you have in the fridge, too!
One-Pan Baked Tilapia for Two
Fish filets, red potatoes, and arugula bake together in this simple casserole. This is a great recipe to keep in your weekly rotation, yet is special enough for a romantic dinner.
Sweet Potato Surprise
This vegan and gluten-free pasta bake features a sweet potato sauce. This unique recipe would be a hit even with those who don't follow vegan or gluten-free diets.
Dessert Casseroles for Two
The perfect way to end a homemade meal is with a simple dessert recipe. Just like breakfast and dinner recipes, leftovers are also a problem for desserts. It can be overwhelming to make a full-sized dessert recipe only to find that there's no way you can finish it by yourself.
No matter your dessert craving, we have sweet solutions below. For those who love fruit desserts, we've included recipes with blackberries, apples, and mixed berries. You'll also find a small-batchbread pudding recipeand even a skillet oatmeal cookie recipe!
Easy Bread Pudding for Two
This easy bread pudding recipe is a wonderful way to use leftover bread. Plus, it bakes in mugs or ramekins and can be customized with your favorite type of chocolate!
Autumn Apple Crisp Recipe for Two
This apple crisp recipe uses healthier ingredient swaps, for example: coconut oil instead of butter, which makes it a guilt-free recipe.
Summer Berry Crumble
While this recipe uses strawberries and blueberries, you could easily substitute fruit that is in season in your area. The simple crumble topping takes this dessert to the next level.
Perfect Blackberry Crisp for Two
This recipe is gluten-free thanks to a few simple swaps in the ingredient list. This recipe makes enough for four, so you can share it with more people or look forward to leftovers.
Skillet Oatmeal Cookies for Two
You can either bake this dough in two 5-inch pans or one 9-inch pan, depending on the presentation you want. The cinnamon chips make these cookies irresistible!
BONUS! Casseroles for One
If you are only cooking for one and don't want the leftovers you would get from a meal for two, try these casseroles for one.
We've included breakfast casseroles, dinner recipes, and even dessert below. These recipes are just as satisfying and delicious a classic casserole that would serve ten.
Plus, check out some additional resources on cooking for one.
Eggplant Parmesan for One
Now you don't have to wait for a dinner party to make eggplant Parmesan!
Baked Mac and Cheese for One
If you're not crazy about leftover mac and cheese, this recipe is a great solution to that problem.
Pasta and Bean Casserole for One
White beans, spinach, Canadian bacon, and cheese make this pasta recipe into a complete meal.
Potato Bacon Breakfast Casserole for One
Potatoes, bacon, and cheese are always a good combination! When you are craving potatoes, this is a great recipe for one.
One Minute Blueberry Cobbler
If a dessert craving hits out of nowhere, you'll want to keep this recipe handy. This recipe uses blueberries, but another fruit could easily be used.
Coffee Cake in a Mug
Applesauce, cinnamon, and a few other common baking ingredients make up this simple coffee cake. You'll want to make this all the time!
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