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.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Qt Programmable Cook and Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target)

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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.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($75, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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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 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.

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.

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 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.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Fresh herbs or citrus zest can also punch up flavors with a bit of welcome brightness for a long-cooked dish, as can adding some heat in the form of a dash of hot sauce, a generous pinch of minced or sliced fresh chili pepper, or a shake of red pepper flakes.

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

Reach for metal when you're: making quick-roasted meals, browning food or braising meats. Skip metal when you're: making casseroles you want to stay warm in the pan or cooking acidic foods (like fruit cobblers or anything tomato-based).

What temperature do you bake a casserole? ›

Again, any recipe will give you the oven temperature and baking time, but if you are making up your own casserole, don't cook it lower than 300 or higher than 400 degrees F. Casseroles generally do best at a moderately hot heat, especially if the ingredients are already cooked.

What rack should you bake a casserole on? ›

The middle zone is a go-to for many of your baking needs, and is typically a safe bet for casseroles and baked goods. The bottom zone of the oven is often good for roasting and baking crusty bread or pizza, while the top is ideal for broiling and toasting.

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.

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

Do you have to brown meat before casserole? ›

Our answer. Browning cubes of meat before stewing them can add some colour and flavour to a stew. However it needs to be done at a fairly high heat and the meat needs to be browned in small batches. If the meat it too tightly packed in the pan then juices run out and start to steam the meat rather than browning it.

How long should a refrigerated casserole sit out before baking? ›

How long does it take a refrigerated casserole to come to room temp? Depending on the size of the dish and the density of its contents, it takes about an hour for to come up to room temperature. Add more time for a larger pan or one with dense contents.

Should I grease my casserole dish? ›

My rule of thumb would be to very lightly grease the pan, no matter what kind it is. If you're making anything with caramel or is very sticky, you will definitely need to grease your pan.

What are the basics of a casserole? ›

There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole. It isn't going to be the most flavorful part of the dish, but it is what will make the casserole filling and satisfying.

What is the best oven setting for casseroles? ›

Slow Cook

Another of the newer settings on electric ovens, this is characterised by a pot or casserole pot symbol. This symbol is designed to run on low consumption for low heat and very long cooking times. This is perfect for stews, casseroles and even some large meat BBQ like ribs and steaks.

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