50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (2024)

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (1)

Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food, but today's new casserole recipes go far beyond the basic tuna casseroles your mom used to make. There are now creative breakfast casseroles (hello, chicken and waffles in casserole form) and even delicious casserole versions of your favorite sandwiches (yes, we’re talking about meatball subs).

Not only do casseroles make an easy weeknight meal for the whole family, but they’re also a great dish to make ahead and freeze, or bring to family and friends who need an arsenal of one-pan meals to heat up and serve. While some casseroles are best to accompany the main component of the meal, like a delicious green bean casserole as a holiday side dish, others have everything you need to fill up on — protein, carbs and veggies in every bite. The best part is that when you toss everything into one dish and bake, there’s only one dish to clean up at the end. That means you get to save yourself some time and effort while still making something decadent and delicious.

Whether your schedule is best suited to prep dinner ahead of time or you just appreciate the simplicity of a casserole, these easy, hearty meals will help you spice up that revolving door of go-to weeknight dinners. There are options to satisfy the whole spectrum of food preferences, from meaty to vegetarian, Mexican to Greek, seafood to squash and healthy to indulgent. Trust us, these are some of the best casserole recipes for when you need a warm, comforting and easy meal.

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1

Shrimp Enchiladas with Zucchini and Corn

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (2)

The quick homemade enchilada sauce takes this one-dish shrimp recipe to the next level.

Get the recipe for Shrimp Enchiladas with Zucchini and Corn »

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2

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (3)

The fresh baguette crumbs take this classic and rich family favorite to the next level.

Get the recipe for Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole »

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3

Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (4)

No need to wake up early to serve an impressive breakfast — throw this casserole together the night before and pop in the oven come morning.

Get the recipe for Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Casserole »

RELATED: 31 Best Make-Ahead Meals to Fill up Your Fridge and Freezer

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4

Ham, Cheddar, and Red Onion Bread Pudding

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (5)

Use your leftover ham in a delicious savory bread pudding for Christmas brunch.

Get the recipe for Ham, Cheddar, and Red Onion Bread Pudding »

RELATED: 32 Easy Leftover Ham Recipes to Give Your Christmas Dinner a Second Life

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5

Tex-Mex Tortilla Casserole

Love chilaquiles? Try this easier Mexican-inspired dish instead.

Get the recipe for Tex-Mex Tortilla Casserole »

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6

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (7)

Make this ham and cheese bake up to 24 hours ahead so you can sleep in and still deliver an amazing brunch.

Get the recipe for Ham and Cheese Breakfast Bake »

RELATED: 36 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Your Busiest Mornings

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7

Cherry Tomato Casserole with White Beans and Basil

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (8)

Not all casseroles require gobs (and gobs) of cheese. If you're looking for something on the lighter side, this cherry tomato casserole will fill you up without weighing you down.

Get the recipe for Cherry Tomato Casserole with White Beans and Basil »

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8

Spinach and Gruyère Potato Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (10)

Avoid the winter blues with this toasty, cheesy potato dish. If you're looking for more flavor, sprinkle fresh basil and parsley on top of this ooey gooey delight.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Gruyère Potato Casserole »

RELATED: 58 Easy Potato Recipes For Weeknight Dinners, Thanksgiving and More

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9

Spinach and Artichoke Squash Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (12)

What happens when you combine your favorite spinach and artichoke dip with spaghetti squash? A sophisticated dish that's totally picture-worthy.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Artichoke Squash Casserole »

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10

Sausage and Green Bean Casserole

Give traditional green bean casserole a run for its money. Zesty sausage and polenta beef up this classic dish.

Get the recipe for Sausage and Green Bean Casserole »

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11

Spaghetti Pie

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (16)

Give this spaghetti-casserole fusion a try on your family's next pasta night. Loaded with cheese and bacon, this pasta pie will appeal to just about everyone.

Get the recipe for Spaghetti Pie »

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12

Fiesta Nacho Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (18)

In these Tex-Mex nachos, white-meat chicken replaces beef so you can snag all the benefits of protein without the added fat.

Get the recipe for Fiesta Nacho Casserole »

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13

Spicy Chicken Casserole

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Simplify taco night without sacrificing flavor. This chicken casserole combines traditional taco ingredients in one dish.

Get the recipe for Spicy Chicken Casserole »

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14

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (21)

Even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy this veggie-packed twist on traditional mac 'n' cheese. The head of cauliflower and four carrots hiding in the sauce will be our little secret.

Get the recipe for Cauliflower Mac and Cheese »

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15

Salmon Noodle Bake

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (22)

Fresher than traditional tuna noodle casserole, this veggie-packed version is loaded with chunks of seafood-counter salmon and flavored with leeks, mushrooms and herbs.

Get the recipe for Salmon Noodle Bake »

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16

Green Bean and Asparagus Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (23)

With bright veggies and garlicky goodness, you can't go wrong serving this alongside any protein.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

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17

Cheesy Baked Spinach and Feta Casserole

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (24)

Layers of matzo make this cheesy casserole light and unique.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

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18

Mock Tuna Casserole

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If the tuna casseroles of the 50s don't float your boat, try this vegetarian version with mushrooms and homemade cream sauce.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

RELATED: The 10 Best Meat Substitutes for Vegetarian and Vegan Dishes

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19

Spiced Beef Hot Pot

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (26)

All of the warm and comforting flavors of beef stew are baked into this hearty casserole.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

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20

Chorizo Chilaquiles

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (27)

Chorizo makes everything better, including this mouth-watering Mexican-style casserole.

Get the recipe from Woman's Day »

RELATED: 38 Best Mexican Dinner Recipes to Make Tonight

50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

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 a casserole not soggy? ›

To prevent a soggy top and a firm or crunchy bottom, it's important to use a shallow baking dish, to cook the casserole at the correct oven temperature and for the appropriate amount of time, and to be mindful of the amount of liquid used in the recipe.

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.

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

Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

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.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

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

How many people will a 9x13 casserole feed? ›

Starchy side dishes and casseroles: a 9 X 13 pan makes about 12 one cup servings. A 2 quart casserole will make 6 to 8 cups. A typical serving size for potatoes, stuffing, and yams is 1 cup.

What do Americans class as a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

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 are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

Why add egg to casserole? ›

Casseroles need a textural component that helps the fillings stick together, even after you plop a slice on your plate. By themselves, eggs do a decent job of holding everything in, but a little dairy definitely improves the overall stickiness and texture of any egg casserole.

How do you make a casserole less rich? ›

If your food is too rich...

Add an acid such as lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar, or pickled vegetables (such as jalapeños).

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

Why is the meat in my casserole tough? ›

Now if your meat is tough after the stewing process, then there's a few things that might have gone wrong. Two options really, either it is really a poor cut of beef, or more likely it hasn't been cooked for long enough. Usually 3 hours in the oven in a casserole dish at 180C/350F should make any cut of beef tender.

What are the key components of a casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

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.

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