Casseroles Collection

Casserole Recipes: Comfort Classics & Holiday Sides

8 tested recipes

Casserole recipes are one-pan oven bakes that pair a filling with a sauce and often a crunchy topping, and they run from Thanksgiving sides like green bean casserole to weeknight dinners like tater tot casserole. This hub explains how casseroles work and gathers the classic recipes in the collection.

How casseroles work: dish size, sauce, and topping

A casserole has three parts: a filling, a binder such as a cream sauce or eggs, and a topping that browns in the oven. A 9x13 inch dish holds about 3 quarts, while a 2-quart dish gives a deeper, saucier bake, so match the pan to the recipe to keep the layers from drying out.

Most baked casseroles cook at 350 degrees F (175 C). That moderate heat sets the filling before the top scorches and gives the sauce time to thicken and bubble.

Thanksgiving casseroles and holiday side dishes

The holiday table leans on sides that can be made ahead and slid into the oven at the last minute. Green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and funeral potatoes are the three that show up most often, and each one is built to serve a crowd.

For a potato-forward holiday spread, scalloped potatoes rounds out the plate with a creamy au gratin-style bake. All of them can be assembled a day early and baked the day of.

Weeknight dinner casseroles the family will eat

Dinner casseroles trade the long bake for a full meal in one dish. Tater tot casserole layers seasoned ground beef and cheese under a crispy potato top, while broccoli casserole and squash casserole lean on vegetables bound with a creamy sauce and a buttery cracker crust.

Scalloped potatoes and ham turns leftover holiday ham into a second dinner with almost no extra shopping.

How to tell when a casserole is done

Doneness is a look and a feel, not just a timer. The sauce should be bubbling around the edges, the center should be set rather than loose when you nudge the dish, and the topping should be golden.

This scalloped potatoes and ham recipe turns leftover holiday ham into a creamy, cheesy one-dish dinner with a golden...

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Casseroles FAQ

What is the difference between a casserole and a hotdish?

They are the same idea. Hotdish is the Upper Midwest name for a one-dish bake, usually built on a creamy soup, a starch, and a meat. Casserole is the broader term used everywhere else.

Can I make casseroles ahead of time?

Yes. Most casseroles can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated up to a day ahead. Add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the covered bake time if the dish goes into the oven cold, and wait to add crispy toppings until the final few minutes.

What size baking dish do I need for a casserole?

A 9x13 inch dish holds about 3 quarts and works for most family-sized recipes, while a 2-quart dish is better for smaller bakes and deeper, saucier fillings. Use the size the recipe lists so the filling depth and bake time stay accurate.

Can you freeze a casserole?

Many freeze well for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly, especially those built on potatoes, rice, or a cream sauce. Dairy-heavy casseroles can separate slightly on thawing, so reheat them gently and stir before serving.