Our Best Casserole Recipes for Comforting Family Meals (2024)

Make one of these hearty casserole recipes ahead of time to reheat for a quick and easy weeknight meal, or serve one for Sunday dinner with friends and family. With recipes like gooey macaroni and cheese, classic chicken casseroles, bubbly breakfast casseroles, and more, there's a casserole recipe for every occasion.

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Smoky Cheesy Chicken-Potato Casserole

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Frozen hash browns and cream of chicken soup keep your prep time at just 20 minutes, making this a perfect casserole recipe for busy weeknight dinners. Utilize deli-smoked chicken to give your dish the signature smoky flavor.

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Eight-Layer Casserole

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Whether you need a potluck recipe or dinner tonight, this easy comfort food casserole is a perfect fit. Complete with layers of ground beef, noodles, and veggies, the cheese-topped casserole is about to become a family staple.

7 Casserole Dishes Our Editors Can't Live Without

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Chile Verde Breakfast Lasagna

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Say hello to your new favorite food mash-up. This veggie-packed, Mexican-inspired casserole meal layers eggs, sausage, veggies, cheese, and salsa verde between corn tortillas. It's a delicious gluten-free brunch option everyone will love.

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Salmon Pot Pie Casserole

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What's better than serving a rich, savory casserole with a side of tender cornmeal biscuits? Putting them right on top. This seafood take on pot pie incorporates broccoli and leeks for a pop of green and added nutrients.

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Brussels Sprouts Casserole with Pancetta and Asiago Cheese

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Flavorful pancetta and Brussels sprouts come together in this cheesy top-rated casserole with a crunchy topper. Serve it alongside crusty bread for an easy and comforting dinner idea. Prep the Brussels sprouts and carrots ahead and keep them in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance to get dinner ready quickly.

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Mashed Potato-Egg Casserole

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Mashed potatoes and eggs are a surprising, yet perfect food combo. This totally delish make-ahead casserole gets an indulgent upgrade with Asiago cheese and arugula. Serve with a side salad for an easy vegetarian dinner.

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Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

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This classic casserole is one of our top-pinned recipes, and it's no wonder why. With cheesy rice piled onto the creamy chicken, the bubbly dish makes it easy for even the pickiest of eaters to polish off their plates. It's a one-dish chicken dinner you'll get requests for all the time.

Healthy Chicken Casserole Recipes That Taste Too Delicious to Be Good for You (But Are!)

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Pizza Margherita Quinoa Casserole

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Get your daily whole grain intake—and enjoy it!—with this ultimate casserole recipe that comes together in one pot. It's full of melty cheese, fragrant basil, and tangy tomatoes for a healthier take on pizza both the kids and adults will enjoy.

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Italian Barley and Sausage Casserole

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Barley is a healthy whole grain that adds fiber to your diet. Here it works wonderfully in an Italian-inspired casserole recipe complete with sausage, tomato sauce, olives, and mozzarella. Don't forget fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and herby finish.

27 Healthy Italian Recipes That Don't Skimp on Flavor

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King Ranch Crunch Chicken Casserole

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King ranch chicken casserole is the go-to comfort food in Texas that includes cream cheese, salsa, shredded cheese, green chiles, and tortilla chips. Our Test Kitchen turned it into a slow cooker casserole recipe for the ultimate indulgent dump-and-cook dinner.

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Cajun Shrimp and Corn Bread Casserole

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Just the mouthwatering photo should tell you this is a 5-star casserole recipe to add to the menu. And while it looks fancy, the casserole is ready in under an hour. No matter where you live, this delicious dumpling-topped shrimp casserole brings a taste of New Orleans right to your kitchen.

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Tuscan Tuna Mac Casserole

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Fanciful flavors from around the globe combine to create a full-flavored dish. Our Tuscan herb blend includes rosemary, thyme, fennel, garlic, and marjoram that is delicious in more than just this casserole recipe. Serve the casserole at your next get-together, and give guests a new flavor that will have them coming back for seconds.

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Cheesy Pasta-Stuffed Shells

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Save this indulgent spin on classic macaroni and cheese for a special occasion. With Gruyère, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses, it's packed with creamy deliciousness. To lighten your meal, serve it with a fresh garden salad.

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Gluten-Free Asparagus-Tuna Casserole

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With the help of gluten-free pasta, everyone can enjoy this retro delight. To keep the vintage casserole recipe fresh, our Test Kitchen added nutty provolone cheese, fresh asparagus, and shredded lemon peel. Canned tuna packed in garlic olive oil makes the casserole extra tasty, but if you can't find it just add a couple of cloves of minced garlic to the tuna you found.

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Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole

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It doesn't get much better than this savory breakfast casserole recipe. Packed with potatoes, broccoli, and tomato, the colorful bacon bake features ingredients that are easy to alter according to season.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

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Corn pudding might be one of the best vintage casserole recipes out there. Here we've upgraded the mix with a blend of shredded zucchini, corn, and cheese. There's plenty of flavor in this irresistible holiday side to go around.

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Alfredo-Bacon Tot Casserole

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Chock-full of bacon, potato nuggets, chicken, and Alfredo sauce, this is is one seriously delicious casserole recipe. To keep your meal prep time to a minimum, try using leftover rotisserie chicken.

Dump and Bake Casseroles That Need Virtually Zero Prep Time

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Baked Cajun Seafood and Rice

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Take a trip South with this fantastic Cajun casserole recipe. The party-worthy dish features shrimp, bacon, kale, cheesy veggies, and delicate crabmeat. One reader suggests serving it with hot sauce for an added kick.

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Blueberry-Pecan French Toast Casserole

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For a lovely brunch casserole recipe, soak Italian bread slices overnight in a nutmeg- and vanilla-spiked egg mixture. Once baked, the decadent French toast casserole is topped with powdered sugar, blueberries, maple syrup, and pecans.

Breakfast Casserole Recipes for a Delicious Start to Your Morning

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Chicken Taco Casserole

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Taco night gets a healthy twist with this low-calorie pepper- and spinach-packed casserole meal. Let the family garnish it with favorite Tex-Mex toppings, such as avocados, cherry tomatoes, and tortilla chips.

Fast and Healthy Taco Recipes Worthy of a Fiesta

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Tuna and Green Bean Casserole

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Can't decide between tuna casserole and green bean casserole? Have them both with our warm and comforting tuna green bean bake. The dinner favorite features classic casserole ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, plus a fun cracker topper.

19 Canned Salmon and Tuna Recipes You'll Actually Be Excited to Eat

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Twice Baked Potato Dump Casserole

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Baked until golden brown and bubbly, this ultra-comforting potato casserole comes together in a flash thanks to purchased mashed potatoes—though you can definitely make your own, if you prefer. Complete with bacon and cheese, this dump casserole will make a delicious addition to your next steak dinner.

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Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

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With more than 200 ratings, this is one of our best casserole recipes to add to your cooking bucket list. A mix of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs tops this hearty supper. The chicken casserole features Monterey Jack cheese, tangy artichokes, and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper.

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Mexicali Hamburger Casserole

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Ground beef and pantry-ready ingredients such as salsa and canned corn make this one-dish dinner nice and easy. A corn bread topper adds a homey touch.

Ground Beef Recipes Your Family Will Request Again and Again

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Spicy Green Bean Casserole

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Bring on the heat! This vintage casserole gets a spicy upgrade from chili powder and fresh serrano chiles, making it a delicious new way to enjoy the dish on days other than Thanksgiving. Be careful cutting those peppers—the oils can burn your skin.

17 Spicy Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout

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Sausage Casserole with Hidden Stuffing

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The secret to this irresistible casserole recipe is in the stuffing. Herb-seasoned stuffing mix is a budget buy that really bulks up the dish while keeping the ingredient list short. The entire casserole calls for just 7 ingredients total—and that's including nonstick spray and butter—so prep is done in 25 minutes.

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Indian-Spiced Chicken Casserole

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Zippy spices mingle with tender chicken and creamy tomatoes in this Indian-inspired chicken casserole recipe. A special garlic-ginger paste makes things extra savory, while lemon juice adds a splash of freshness.

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Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie

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Enjoy this comforting pot pie in half the time by making it in a casserole dish with pizza dough. This quick casserole recipe makes great use of frozen veggies and jarred Alfredo sauce. Seek pizza dough from an Italian market for authenticity or use refrigerated piecrust in a pinch.

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Zucchini-Fontina Strata

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Put your slow cooker to work and have dinner ready and waiting with this easy-to-assemble casserole meal. The tender vegetable bakes with garlic focaccia, eggs, and fresh thyme for a perfect Italian-seasoned strata.

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Huevos Rancheros Tater Tot Casserole

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Transform a classic tot casserole into a Mexican-style masterpiece with chili powder, cumin, and your favorite taco toppings. Our easy huevos rancheros casserole can be served for Sunday brunch with family or a weeknight dinner.

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Spinach and Feta Casserole

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Spinach and feta is a classic combination that takes genius form in this vegetarian casserole recipe. A full two cups of cottage cheese bulk up the dish while providing mild cheesy flavor and extra calcium. Serve as a hearty side dish or as a vegetarian main dish.

Our Best Casserole Recipes for Comforting Family Meals (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 benefits to making casseroles for a family? ›

Why You Should Be Cooking More Casseroles
  • They're versatile. For every set of tastebuds, there's a casserole to match. ...
  • They can be nutritious. ...
  • They're easy, from prep through cleanup. ...
  • They feed a crowd. ...
  • They're transportable and gift-able.

Is it better to bake a casserole covered or uncovered? ›

In general, you'll want to bake a casserole covered with aluminum foil for most of the cooking time. Covering the casserole helps lock in moisture and prevents it from drying out. If you don't cover the casserole or uncover it too soon, the casserole will dry out.

Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What is the most popular casserole dish size? ›

"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a casserole dish, it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size.

How do you make dishes appealing for families? ›

Make Foods Appealing
  1. Consider food temperature. Most children do not like very hot or very cold foods.
  2. Consider food texture. ...
  3. Consider food color. ...
  4. Serve foods of different shapes. ...
  5. Balance food flavors. ...
  6. Include some well-liked foods in every meal. ...
  7. Introduce new foods with familiar foods. ...
  8. Serve a new food several times.
Aug 15, 2019

What are five basic components of most casseroles? ›

According to food blog High Heeled Homemaker, your basic casserole requires five ingredients: a protein, starch, vegetable, sauce, and cheese. If you have those five ingredients in your casserole dish, congratulations; you just made a casserole, whether it's a beloved recipe or a concoction of your own creation.

How cooking can make family happy? ›

Cooking together as a family does much more than put food on the table. It offers a “time to talk, listen and build family relationships,” says Angela Ginn in ScienceDaily. When we cook with family, it can be a very rewarding experience and helps to increase feelings of connection.

Why do casseroles have to sit overnight? ›

Casseroles are at their best when the ingredients are able to meld, which is why they often taste even better the second day.

Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

A common issue with casseroles is soggy overcooked pasta or vegetable components. "Partially cooking these ingredients is the only way to make a casserole with a satisfying texture," says LaClair.

Is it better to bake a casserole in glass or metal? ›

What Should I Bake In a Metal Baking Pan? We hate to say it – we've got nothing against glass, we promise! – but metal does an overall better job than glass of baking almost everything except for acidic desserts. It bakes evenly because it heats up so quickly.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

How long should a casserole be in the oven? ›

The time a casserole takes to cook will vary from 2-2½ hours for chuck, blade and thick flank, up to 4 hours for shin, leg and neck. Pork cuts for braising and casseroling normally take 1½ hours, and lamb much the same.

What is the best material for casserole dishes? ›

"I love baking pastas in a casserole dish," he says. "It's the best of both worlds when you get that crispy exterior and creamy saucy interior." In his experience, he's found that cast-iron is the best material for casserole pans because of the way it holds and conducts heat.

Which material is good for casserole? ›

Stainless Steel Casseroles are generally considered better than Ceramic Casseroles in terms of durability, as they are highly resistant to stains, corrosion, and rust, and will last longer with proper care. Pros: Durable and long-lasting. Resistant to corrosion, stains, and rust.

Is glass or ceramic better for lasagna? ›

Ceramic Bakeware

Thanks to its coating, it won't leave any lingering flavors after washing. It also retains heat well, so your lasagna will stay bubbly hot on the counter. While glass and ceramic perform similarly and require similar care, you might want to choose ceramic dishes for their looks.

How do I choose a casserole? ›

The material is the most important criterion, while then follow the size, the type of lid and the design. There are many options for materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or non-stick coating.

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