Loaf Pan Dinners: 14 Cozy Small Casseroles for One or Two That Skip the Big 9×13 Dish

Loaf pan dinners are the smart answer when you are cooking for one or two. A 9×13 casserole feeds eight, and nobody wants to eat the same thing for a week. The 9×5 loaf pan already sitting in your cupboard holds about two to three servings, bakes faster and leaves almost nothing to waste. Small-batch loaf pan dinner videos are taking off on YouTube right now, with one passing 370,000 views in just three weeks. Below you will find cozy favorites sized down, from mini lasagna and baked ziti to pot pie, meatloaf and a little apple crisp for dessert. Every one is assemble and bake. Which one goes in your oven tonight..

Mini Lasagna, the Best of the Loaf Pan Dinners

A 9×13 casserole feeds eight. If there are only one or two of you, the loaf pan already in your cupboard is the right size, and it bakes faster too. Start with this mini lasagna. No-boil noodles fit a loaf pan almost perfectly, so there is nothing to cook first. Layer, bake and you have bubbling, cheesy lasagna with crispy edges for two, plus maybe one lunch. Is lasagna your go-to comfort food..

You will need: 6 no-boil lasagna noodles, 1/2 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (browned), 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, 3/4 cup ricotta, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Mix the ricotta, egg yolk, parmesan and seasoning. 3. Stir the meat into the sauce. 4. Spread a little sauce in a loaf pan, then layer 2 noodles, ricotta, sauce and mozzarella. 5. Repeat twice, ending with sauce and mozzarella. 6. Cover with foil, bake 30 minutes, uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, then rest 10 minutes.

Loaf Pan Chicken and Rice Bake

This is the classic dump-and-bake chicken and rice, scaled down for two. Uncooked rice, broth and a little cream of chicken soup go straight into the loaf pan, two chicken thighs sit on top, and the oven does the rest. The rice soaks up all the chicken juices as it bakes. Covering the pan tightly with foil is the key, as with most loaf pan dinners. Is this the one you would make on a Monday?

You will need: 1/2 cup long grain white rice, 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 can (5 oz) cream of chicken soup, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 2 boneless chicken thighs, salt, pepper, paprika, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar, chopped parsley.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan. 2. Stir the rice, broth, soup, garlic and onion powder in the pan. 3. Season the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika and lay it on top. 4. Cover tightly with foil and bake 50 to 55 minutes. 5. Uncover, add the cheese and bake 5 minutes more. 6. Check the chicken reaches 165 F (see the USDA safe temperature chart), rest 5 minutes and add parsley.

Mini Shepherd’s Pie for Two

A full shepherd’s pie feeds a crowd, but this one fits in a loaf pan and still has the golden, buttery potato top everyone fights over. Use half a pound of ground beef or lamb, a handful of frozen peas and carrots, and leftover or quick mashed potatoes. Rough up the top with a fork so it browns in little peaks. Beef or lamb in yours?

You will need: 1/2 lb ground beef or lamb, 1/2 small onion (diced), 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1 tsp flour, salt and pepper, 2 cups mashed potatoes, 2 tbsp shredded cheddar.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the meat and onion, then drain. 3. Stir in the flour, tomato paste, Worcestershire and broth and simmer 3 minutes. 4. Add the vegetables, season and spoon into a loaf pan. 5. Spread the potatoes on top, rough them with a fork and add cheese. 6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Loaf Pan Dinners: Baked Ziti for Two

Baked ziti is one of the most loved casseroles in America, and it scales down beautifully. Toss half a box of cooked ziti with marinara and a scoop of ricotta, layer it in a loaf pan with mozzarella and bake until the cheese bubbles. There is just enough for dinner tonight and maybe one lunch tomorrow. Do you like a crispy cheese top or soft and saucy?

You will need: 6 oz ziti or penne, 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/4 cup grated parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, optional 1/4 lb cooked Italian sausage.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package says and drain. 3. Mix the pasta with 1 cup sauce, the ricotta, parmesan, seasoning and sausage. 4. Spread a little sauce in a loaf pan and add half the pasta and half the mozzarella. 5. Repeat and top with the rest of the sauce and cheese. 6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly.

Enchilada Stack in a Loaf Pan

Rolling enchiladas takes time. Stacking them takes two minutes. Layer corn tortillas with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans and cheese like a lasagna, and bake until it is bubbly and melty. The loaf pan makes neat, tall slices, which is why this is one of the prettiest loaf pan dinners here. Top with sour cream, cilantro and avocado. Red sauce or green sauce at your house?

You will need: 5 small corn tortillas, 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup red or green enchilada sauce, 1/2 cup black beans (drained), 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, sour cream, cilantro, avocado.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Mix the chicken, beans, cumin and half the sauce. 3. Spread a little sauce in the loaf pan. 4. Layer tortilla (cut to fit), chicken mix and cheese, repeating 3 or 4 times. 5. Finish with tortillas, sauce and cheese. 6. Bake covered 15 minutes, then uncovered 10 minutes, and add toppings.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake for Two

Creamy, cheesy and ready in half an hour, this Alfredo bake is comfort food for a cold night. Stir cooked pasta into a quick homemade Alfredo sauce with chicken and a handful of broccoli, then bake until the top turns golden. A jar of Alfredo sauce works too if you are tired, and like all loaf pan dinners it is just the right size. Would you add broccoli or keep it simple?

You will need: 4 oz penne or rigatoni, 1 cup cooked chicken (diced), 1 cup small broccoli florets, 1 tbsp butter, 1 garlic clove, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cook the pasta with the broccoli for the last 2 minutes and drain. 3. Melt the butter with the garlic, add the cream and simmer 3 minutes. 4. Stir in the parmesan and season. 5. Toss with the pasta, broccoli and chicken and spoon into a loaf pan. 6. Top with mozzarella and bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Loaf Pan Dinners: Chicken Pot Pie With a Biscuit Top

Pot pie is the coziest dinner there is, and a loaf pan is the perfect size for two hungry people. Make a quick creamy chicken and vegetable filling on the stove, pour it into the pan and top with three or four refrigerated biscuits. They puff up golden while the filling bubbles underneath. Freeze the extra biscuits for next time. Biscuit top or pie crust top?

You will need: 1 tbsp butter, 1/4 onion (diced), 2 tbsp flour, 3/4 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken (diced), 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 1/4 tsp thyme, salt and pepper, 3 or 4 refrigerated biscuits.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cook the onion in butter 3 minutes. 3. Stir in the flour, then the broth and milk, and simmer until thick. 4. Add the chicken, vegetables, thyme, salt and pepper. 5. Pour into a loaf pan and top with the biscuits. 6. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until the biscuits are golden.

Loaf Pan Dinners: Mini Meatloaf With Potatoes Alongside

Why make a giant meatloaf when a half-pound one cooks in about 35 minutes? Shape it in one end of the loaf pan and tuck halved baby potatoes into the other end so the whole dinner bakes together. The sweet ketchup glaze turns sticky in the oven. It is a complete supper with only one pan to wash. Glaze or gravy at your house?

You will need: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg yolk, 2 tbsp milk, 2 tbsp minced onion, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper, 8 baby potatoes (halved), 1 tsp olive oil. Glaze: 3 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp mustard.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Mix the beef, breadcrumbs, yolk, milk, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 3. Shape into a small loaf at one end of the pan. 4. Toss the potatoes with oil and salt and add them to the other end. 5. Spread the glaze on the meatloaf. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until it reaches 160 F.

Tater Tot Hotdish for Two

Minnesota’s famous hotdish is all about the crispy tater tot top, and you can get that same crunch in a loaf pan. Ground beef, green beans and cream of mushroom soup make the creamy base, cheese goes on next, then a single layer of frozen tots. Bake until the tots are golden. Of all the loaf pan dinners here, kids usually pick this one. It is pure Midwest comfort. Have you ever had real hotdish?

You will need: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/4 onion (diced), 1/2 can (5 oz) cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup frozen green beans, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, about 20 frozen tater tots.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Brown the beef and onion and drain. 3. Stir in the soup, green beans, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 4. Spread in a loaf pan and top with the cheese. 5. Arrange the tots in a single layer on top. 6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until the tots are crisp and golden.

Sausage, Peppers and Potato Bake

This one is almost no work at all. Slice two Italian sausages, toss them with peppers, onion and little potato chunks, season with Italian herbs and roast everything together in the loaf pan. The sausage juices flavor the vegetables as they cook. It is proof that loaf pan dinners do not need a recipe card. Serve it on its own or pile it into hoagie rolls. Sweet or hot Italian sausage?

You will need: 2 Italian sausages (sliced), 1 bell pepper (sliced), 1/2 onion (sliced), 1 cup baby potatoes (quartered), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper, grated parmesan.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Toss everything except the parmesan in a bowl. 3. Spread in a loaf pan. 4. Roast uncovered 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway. 5. Check the sausage reaches 160 F and the potatoes are tender. 6. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

Loaf Pan Dinners: Baked Mac and Cheese for Two

Homemade baked mac and cheese does not have to mean a giant dish. Make a small, silky cheese sauce, stir in the pasta, spoon it into a loaf pan and top it with buttery breadcrumbs or crumbled bacon. The deep pan keeps the inside creamy while the top gets crisp. It works as a main dish or a side. Breadcrumbs or bacon on top?

You will need: 4 oz elbow macaroni, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp flour, 1 cup milk, 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1/4 tsp mustard powder, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp panko mixed with 1 tsp melted butter or 2 slices cooked bacon (crumbled).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cook the macaroni 2 minutes less than the package says. 3. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour, then the milk, and simmer until thick. 4. Stir in 1 cup cheese, mustard, salt and pepper. 5. Mix with the pasta and pour into a loaf pan. 6. Top with the rest of the cheese and panko or bacon and bake 20 minutes.

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake

All the flavor of chicken parmesan without frying anything. Lay frozen breaded chicken tenders or a sliced cutlet over penne in marinara, cover with mozzarella and bake. The loaf pan keeps everything snug and saucy, a big reason loaf pan dinners work so well. It tastes like a red sauce restaurant dinner for a fraction of the price. Thin cutlets or crispy tenders?

You will need: 4 oz penne, 1 cup marinara sauce, 3 or 4 frozen breaded chicken tenders (or 1 breaded cutlet, sliced), 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated parmesan, fresh basil.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Cook the penne 2 minutes less than the package says and drain. 3. Toss with 3/4 cup marinara and spread in a loaf pan. 4. Lay the chicken on top and spoon over the rest of the sauce. 5. Add both cheeses. 6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is hot (165 F) and the cheese bubbles, then add basil.

Loaf Pan Dinners: Overnight Breakfast Strata

Breakfast for dinner counts, and this strata is made the night before. Cubes of bread soak up a simple egg and milk custard with ham or sausage and cheese, then bake into a puffy, golden loaf. It is perfect for a slow weekend morning too. Slice it like bread and serve with fruit. Sweet or savory breakfast at your house?

You will need: 3 cups bread cubes (day-old), 1/2 cup diced ham or cooked sausage, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 tsp mustard powder, salt and pepper, 1 green onion (sliced).

How to make it: 1. Grease a loaf pan and add half the bread, the ham and half the cheese. 2. Add the rest of the bread. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper and pour over. 4. Top with the remaining cheese, cover and chill overnight. 5. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 40 to 45 minutes until puffed and set in the center. 6. Rest 5 minutes and add green onion.

Mini Apple Crisp for Dessert

Every small dinner deserves a small dessert, and this one finishes our loaf pan dinners on a sweet note. Slice two apples into the loaf pan, toss them with cinnamon and a little sugar, and cover them with a buttery oat crumble. It bakes while you eat. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Want to plan ahead? Make two of any dinner here and freeze the second pan, unbaked and wrapped well, for up to 3 months. Looking for more easy bakes? Try our dump and bake dinners for busy nights. Ice cream or whipped cream?

You will need: 2 large apples (peeled and sliced), 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp lemon juice. Topping: 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, 3 tbsp cold butter.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. 2. Toss the apples with sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice and spread in a loaf pan. 3. Mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. 4. Rub in the butter until crumbly. 5. Scatter over the apples. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until golden and bubbling.