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Casseroles are a simple and easy way to bring a delicious home-cooked meal to the table! They are so versatile and I have picked out some of my favorite options. I am sure that you will find one that you and your family will love!!
The options of casseroles are endless and the hardest part is picking and choosing which one to make! They are all so incredible and I love that my favorite tastes are made up into something hot that sizzles right as it comes out of the oven! A few that I think will get you to love casseroles are Incredible Parmesan Zucchini Gratin, Overnight French Toast, and Best Ever Baked Rigatoni.
Why Casseroles are the BEST!
Have you ever been sick or had a bad week and a neighbor or friend brings you a delicious home-cooked meal? I have and guess what? It is usually a piping hot casserole! Casseroles are one of the fastest and smartest ways to make a meal that is healthy and filling to your dinner table! They remind me of my childhood dinners and also those days when someone was thinking of me! I love how you can always find a casserole for just the occasion that you are looking for!
Casseroles have basically every option from tacos to eggs to noodles and everything in between. They can be cooked for breakfast, lunch, and dinner which makes it an easy YES for any meal! And, if you store it right, then you will have a solution for dinner for the next few days! It doesn’t get much better than that! The best part is, I usually have a lot of the ingredients in my kitchen waiting to be made into something delicious! There are so many tried and true options that are so yummy!!
Casserole Cooking Tips
Casseroles are an absolutely perfect option for so many meals! In order for them to turn out the best that they can, I have come up with a few important tips! There are helpful to read through before cooking and they will help you achieve that perfect, bubbly, and hot casserole!
- Use fresh vegetables: I know its tempting to pop in a bag of frozen vegetables instead of cutting up some fresh ones. But this is a mistake that often results in a soggy casserole. If you have the option (and the recipe doesn’t call for frozen) then go for fresh ingredients!
- Dried herbs: Fresh herbs don’t last very long so most of us are using dried herbs from our spice drawer! This is a great option, especially in casseroles that have a cooking time of 1-2 hours. The dried herbs can better withstand the prolonged heat!
- Cut uniformly: Make sure that the ingredients you are cutting up are all about the same size. This will ensure that everything cooks through evenly!
- Brown the meat: If you brown the meat first, you will lock in all of its delicious juices! Your casserole will have more depth to its flavor.
- Don’t fully cook the pasta: When using pasta in a casserole dish, you should undercook the pasta. Follow the “Al Dente” instructions on your pasta packaging. Cooking it this way lets your noodles still cook while the casserole is baking. This helps so your pasta isn’t too soggy by the time its done!
- Go for the crisp: To make the top layer crispy, you can cook your casserole uncovered. Or, after the casserole is fully cooked, you can remove the cover and broil it for a few minutes. Be careful to watch closely while broiling– it goes fast!
How to Store Casseroles or Make them Ahead
One of the best parts about casseroles is how delicious they are as leftovers! Here is how you should store them so that you can have a meal ready to heat up and go for the next couple of days! Or, You can also make a casserole ahead and freeze it! This is a great way to have some extra meals on hand for those extra busy days.
- Refrigerate: Before placing it in the fridge, you will need to wait until your casserole is fully cooled. Then, you can cover it with foil or put it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days!
- Freeze: Bake your casserole in a container that can be taken straight from freezer to oven. (I love to use those disposable tin pans.) Once your casserole is baked, let it cool. Cover it with foil until it is airtight and write the date on it. Your meal can last in the freezer for up to 4 months!
- Thaw: If you froze your meal, take it out and thaw overnight in your fridge.
- Reheat: Cook your casserole at the baking temperature listed on the recipe for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
Cowboy Casserole
Cowboy casserole is a family favorite made with seasoned ground beef in a creamy sauce, corn, cheese, and topped with crispy tater tots. It's irresistible!
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salt, pepper, frozen corn, grated cheddar cheese, tater tots
5 Ingredient Corn Casserole
5 Ingredient Corn Casserole in the oven in less than five minutes, it’s the perfect side dish for the holidays with almost no effort at all!
Ingredients: box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix, whole kernel corn, creamed corn, sour cream, melted butter
Sausage and Biscuit Casserole
Hearty, savory, and super satisfying, Super Easy Sausage and Biscuit Casserole is the perfect morning meal. This is a quick favorite and when you see how effortless it is you'll make it all the time.
Ingredients: all-purpose flour, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, breakfast sausage casings removed, unsalted butter, whole milk, whipping cream, container Pillsbury Grand Biscuits*
Tuna Noodle Casserole
This tuna noodle casserole is a family favorite that is filled with thick noodles, vegetables and tender chunks of tuna fish. All baked together in one pan in 30 minutes!
Ingredients: wide egg noodles, Olive Oil, small onion, celery, mushrooms, butter, flour, chicken broth, whole milk, salt and pepper, cans tuna fish, frozen peas, shredded cheddar cheese, grated parmesan, Italian breadcrumbs, butter
Taco Casserole
Taco Casserole recipe ready in just 30 minutes! Seasoned ground beef loaded with crunchy chips, melted cheese, and your choice of toppings.
Ingredients: olive oil, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, lean ground beef, smoked paprika, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, coriander, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, all-purpose flour, water, corn kernels, black beans, chips, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Monterey jack cheese
The Best Breakfast Casserole
The Best Breakfast Casserole is a thick and creamy egg base with shredded potatoes, chunks of ham and flavorful cheese blends that bakes up in no time. Make ahead or enjoy the morning of during the holidays!
Ingredients: frozen shredded potatoes, salt and pepper, eggs, half and half, season salt, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, chopped ham
Turkey Mediterranean Casserole
This Turkey Mediterranean Casserole features artichokes, fusilli pasta, sun dried tomatoes and Lindsay® Kalamata Olives baked in a red tomato sauce and topped with Lindsay® Chopped Black Olives. Simple, delicious ingredients in 30 minutes!
Ingredients: fusilli pasta, turkey, sun dried tomatoes, 14 ounce can artichokes drained, 7 ounce jar Lindsay pitted. Kalamata olives, roughly chopped, Fresh Parsley chopped, fresh basil chopped, salt and pepper to taste, marinara sauce, 4.25 ounce can Lindsay black chopped olives, mozzarella cheese
Turkey Mediterranean Casserole
This Turkey Mediterranean Casserole features artichokes, fusilli pasta, sun dried tomatoes and Lindsay® Kalamata Olives baked in a red tomato sauce and topped with Lindsay® Chopped Black Olives. Simple, delicious ingredients in 30 minutes!
Ingredients: fusilli pasta, turkey, sun dried tomatoes, 14 ounce can artichokes drained, 7 ounce jar Lindsay pitted. Kalamata olives, roughly chopped, Fresh Parsley chopped, fresh basil chopped, salt and pepper to taste, marinara sauce, 4.25 ounce can Lindsay black chopped olives, mozzarella cheese
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli Casserole. This cheesy, casserole is loaded up with fresh tender broccoli florets and baked in a homemade creamy cheese sauce, and topped with crispy buttered Panko crumbs. This casserole is sure to be a highlight!
Ingredients: broccoli florets, butter (unsalted), all purpose flour, salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, milk , cheddar cheese, shredded, panko bread crumbs, butter
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole is layered with smooth and creamy mashed sweet potatoes sprinkled with brown sugar and a pecan mixture making these irresistible. This is a MUST have, MUST make for the holidays!
Ingredients: mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk, melted butter, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, chopped pecans
Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is a classic, savory side dish that is favored by all! Filled with fresh mushrooms, garlic, parmesan and baked in a creamy sauce, there won’t be a green bean left with this freshly made casserole.
Ingredients: butter, garlic, onion, package button mushrooms, fresh green beans, low-sodium chicken broth, can low-sodium cream of mushroom soup, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, homemade crispy onion strings
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
All of the goodness of chicken parmesan packed into a delicious cheesy casserole! Crispy chicken, marinara sauce, penne pasta, and cheese come together in this easy to make dish!
Ingredients: package uncooked penne pasta, boneless, vegetable oil for frying, flour, eggs, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, chopped basil for garnish
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is a simple casserole made with the best homemade teriyaki sauce filled with vegetable stir fry, rice and baked to perfection. A savory dish everyone loves!
Ingredients: soy sauce, sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic cloves, ginger, pepper, cornstarch, water, chicken breasts, rice, vegetable stir fry mix
Squash Casserole
An easy recipe for creamy squash casserole with a buttery crisp cracker topping!
Ingredients: butter, yellow squash, yellow onion, sour cream, eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Salt and pepper, sleeves Ritz crackers, butter
Caramel Apple Overnight French Toast Casserole
Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole is a sweet and savory breakfast with thick chunks of cinnamon swirl bread, warm apples and caramel drizzle that brings comfort to your family in one morning!
Ingredients: LUCKY LEAF® Premium Caramel Apple Fruit Filling & Topping, pecans, chopped, caramel sweetened condensed milk*, thick sliced cinnamon swirl bread, cubed, eggs, vanilla extract
No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole is full of comfort and tender, fall apart chicken overtopping a flavorful rice that makes this meal a family favorite! Baking to perfection with the warm, steam cooking the chicken and rice to perfection.
Ingredients: long grain rice, cream of mushroom soup , cream of chicken soup, chicken broth , chicken breasts , salt and pepper , onion soup mix
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
This Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole is an easy casserole, packed with flavor and perfect for breakfast or even dinner! Packed with eggs, sausage, peppers, spinach, cheese and topped with a layer of tater tots.
Ingredients: breakfast sausage links, bell pepper, fresh spinach, green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, salt, dried parsley, black pepper, tater tots, seasoning salt
The Very Best Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Poppyseed Chicken Casserole is such a classic dish that is incredibly easy to make! A creamy chicken casserole topped with a buttery ritz topping. This will be the best you ever make!
Ingredients: cooked chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, shredded parmesan cheese, poppy seeds, sleeve buttery round crackers, butter melted
Easy Sausage and Rice Casserole
Easy Sausage and Rice Casserole is simple to make and big on flavor! Sausage, rice, celery, and onions all baked in a creamy sauce and the result will wow the entire family!
Ingredients: sausage, small onion, stalks celery, garlic cloves, chicken broth, cream of celery soup*, uncooked rice, slivered almonds
Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole
Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes, garlic and cheddar. The flavor is incredible and they can even be made the night before!
Ingredients: potatoes, cream cheese softened, butter, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Cache Valley® Mild Cheddar Cheese, bacon, chives
Chicken Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Creamy alfredo sauce with chicken, pasta, artichokes, and spinach come together in this incredible casserole! This will be one that the entire family is going to love!
Ingredients: package, cubed chicken, 8 ounces shredded Italian cheese blend, divided, fresh baby spinach, 8 ounce cans quartered artichoke, drained, butter, heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, minced garlic, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, grated parmesan cheese
Loaded Stacked Chicken Enchilada Casserole
All of the goodness of an enchilada stacked into a casserole. This is loaded with cheese, olives, black beans, corn, chicken and is quick and easy!
Ingredients: enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, black beans, drained and rinsed, corn, olives, chicken, colby jack cheese, Optional toppings:
Hominy Casserole
Easy, creamy and cheesy Hominy Casserole is a side dish that is sure to impress. This is not your average dish, it takes hominy to a whole new level.
Ingredients: hominy, rinsed and drained, sour cream, diced green chilis, monterey jack cheese, Parmesan Cheese