"I have plenty of time on my hands, so let’s really stretch out the dinner-making process," said no busy parent ever. That’s why this list of all-in-one dinners will change your approach to mealtime. Each casserole includes protein and veggies, so there’s no need to make a meal with multiple components. (And if you’re worried about picky eaters who may not like the look of certain items come 6 o’clock, a bowl of crunchy raw veggies and dip is an instant side almost everyone enjoys every time.)

Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole with Cauliflower (pictured above)

With egg noodles, mushrooms, chicken breasts and a whole head of cauliflower, this creamy casserole already sounds like a winner. But it’s got one more beloved feature up its sleeve: a crispy panko crust.

The beauty of this veggie-rich casserole is its versatility: Shred the zucchini or leave it in long strips, depending on your crowd’s willingness to indulge.

All the flavors of the world’s most-satisfying soup, in one hearty casserole. Tip: Make this a more nutritious one-pot meal by adding a few extra carrots and celery stalks to the recipe.

No standing in front of the stove here — just a big pot of perfectly baked risotto, dotted with salty bacon, Parmesan and sweet peas.

This recipe from Food Network Magazine is one of those simple casseroles that are more about assembling than baking. Start with rotisserie chicken, add rice, broccoli and one plum tomato … and you’ll have a delicious dinner fresh from the oven in under 25 minutes.

Noodle or squash? That’s what the kids will be asking as thin strands of squash tumble together with tomato sauce, pasta and cheese. Tip: Use angel hair pasta if this is an undercover mission.

Giada De Laurentiis showcases tomatoes, unsung heroes of the casserole world, which are bursting not only with flavor but with vitamin C, too.

Here the veggies fly a bit under the radar. Make no mistake: There are a lot of carrots here, but they’re mixed in with so much cheddar cheese that kids can’t help themselves. They just love it.

You know that kids like tacos, so you can be sure that little ones will enjoy this hearty baked combo of juicy ground beef, crispy tortilla chips and a blanket of gooey cheese.

Charity Curley Mathews is a mom of four small kids, a contributor to InStyle, eHow Food and the founder of Foodlets.com. Foodlets is about making only one dinner. About fresh food. About teaching kids to love good food. And enjoying all that food together. Most of the time. Follow Foodlets on Facebook and you’ll never miss a recipe or tip.