25 Classic Recipes Made Casserole-Style  (2024)

What defines a casserole, exactly? It's a simple combination of ingredients baked in the oven to create a meal that's more than the sum of its parts. Aside from that, a casserole can be anything you want it to be. In fact, all your favorite recipes can be transformed into a casserole with a little creativity, including spaghetti, pizza, and even French toast. Here we've curated a collection of classic recipes transformed into one-dish wonders for easy, weeknight dinners.

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White Chicken Enchilada Slow-Cooker Casserole

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25 Classic Recipes Made Casserole-Style (1)

You'll want to add this easy, creamy enchilada casserole to your regular dinner rotation. "Slow cooking gently melds together the flavors of chicken thigh meat, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and green chiles," says recipe creator TRISTA5.

02of 26

Easy French Toast Casserole

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Making French toast for a crowd has never been easier: Assemble this casserole ahead of time and pop it in the oven just before serving.

  • 11 Baked French Toast Casseroles That Make Brunch Easy

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Mexican Quesadilla Casserole

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A seasoned ground beef mixture is layered with tortillas and cheese in this easy, one-dish take on quesadillas. Reviewer Michele Etling says, "Very good and fast and doesn't dirty up a ton of pans!"

  • 16 Mexican-Inspired Casseroles for Family-Pleasing Dinners

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Baked Spaghetti

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Part lasagna, part spaghetti, this easy casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Serve with a crusty, homemade garlic bread.

05of 26

Reuben Casserole

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In this casserole version of the classic deli sandwich, sauerkraut, corned beef, Swiss cheese, rye bread crumbs, and Russian-style salad dressing are layered and baked. Reviewer JANNASMOMMMY says, "This recipe is so easy and much less messy than traditional Reuben sandwiches."

06of 26

Pizza Casserole

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This recipe takes all the traditional pizza components — pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell pepper, etc. — and combines it with egg noodles to create an easy-to-serve casserole.

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

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"I got this recipe at a church potluck," says recipe creator Angela. "All the flavors blend really well. I've made it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So far every time I've served it, I haven't had any leftovers."

  • 6 Southern Gravy Recipes Made for Biscuits

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Emily's Excellent Taco Casserole

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Shake up Taco Tuesday with this layered casserole. Tortilla chips, chili, Cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and sour cream combine to mimic the flavor of this Mexican dish.

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Eggs Benedict Casserole

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This recipe combines the flavors and ingredients of classic eggs Benedict in casserole form. Plus, the whole thing is assembled the night before so all you have to do in the morning is bake.

10of 26

Beef Nacho Casserole

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Kids will love this easy casserole that's way less mess than traditional nachos. "Layers of seasoned ground beef, corn, tortilla chips, and cheese are baked under a layer of Colby cheese," says recipe creator LUNCH*LADY.

11of 26

Chili Dog Casserole II

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This casserole is the best way to serve chili dogs at potlucks or cookouts: "It is loved by young and old alike!" says recipe creator deleteduser.

12of 26

Burrito Pie

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In this Mexican-inspired casserole, classic burrito components are layered lasagna-style. "Make sure you like spicy foods before trying this one. It's hot!" warns recipe creator KATHIMC.

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Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

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This approachable version of the classic French dish is great for anyone looking for the flavors of chicken cordon bleu without the hassle.

14of 26

Quick and Easy Cinnamon Roll Casserole

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Packaged, refrigerated cinnamon roll dough makes this cinnamon roll casserole a cinch, especially when serving a crowd!

15of 26

Italian Meatball Sandwich Casserole

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All the classic meatball sub ingredients — Italian bread, meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella cheese — are assembled in a new way. To cut down on prep time, reviewers suggest using frozen meatballs.

16of 26

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

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This five-ingredient casserole is hands down the easiest way to make and serve chicken Parmesan.

17of 26

Easy Chili Cornbread Bake

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Chili and cornbread were meant for each other, so why not bake them together? Here's to cooking smarter, not harder!

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Creamy Chicken Florentine Pasta

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Chicken Florentine is traditionally made by pan-frying chicken in a spinach and wine cream sauce. This recipe uses the same ingredients, but bakes them with a toasty bread crumb topping for a comforting, simplified version of the classic Italian dish.

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Easy Overnight Pancake Casserole with Streusel Topping

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"The pancakes absorb the custardy mixture, resulting in a bread pudding-like consistency," says recipe creator NicoleMcmom. "The crunchy streusel topping is a nice contrast. Serve with plenty of warm maple syrup and hot coffee or cold milk."

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Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

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These baked mashed potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and baked shortly before serving.

21of 26

Huevos Rancheros Brunch Casserole with Ham and Cheese

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"This casserole layers corn tortillas, black beans, ham, cheese, and eggs for a delicious brunch inspired by huevos rancheros," says recipe creator NicoleMcmom.

22of 26

Zucchini Pizza Bake

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Seasoned ground beef, sauce, bell pepper, mushrooms, black olives, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack cheese are layered on a zucchini "crust" — it's a great way to use up that summer bumper crop!

  • 15 Easy and Delicious Zucchini Recipes

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Hot Dog Casserole

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Four simple ingredients — hot dogs, green beans, stewed tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese — make up this easy, kid-friendly casserole.

24of 26

Lasagna Toss

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While lasagna is technically a casserole in itself, this modified version is way faster to make: "This is a quick, and EASY, alternative to lasagna when you don't have much time, it's great for a weeknight meal! Serve with side salad and garlic bread and you have a quick and yummy meal!" says recipe creator jbabb.

  • Our 15 Best Lasagna Recipes of All Time Give You Layers and Layers to Love

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Maria's Chicken Tamale Casserole

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Here's a great way to repurpose leftover tamales: Chicken tamales are layered over a bed of spinach recipe with a creamy tomatillo sauce and topped with a blend of Mexican cheeses.

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More Casserole Recipes:

25 Classic Recipes Made Casserole-Style (26)

  • Pictured: Mamaw's Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • 30 Easy Casseroles You'll Want to Make Forever
  • 15 of Grandma's Best Casserole Recipes
  • Browse our entire collection of Casserole Recipes.
25 Classic Recipes Made Casserole-Style  (2024)

FAQs

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

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

What are the different types of casseroles? ›

Casseroles
  • Rice Casserole.
  • Noodle Casserole.
  • Vegetable Casserole.
  • Healthy Casseroles.
  • Seafood Casserole.
  • Beef Casserole.
  • Chicken Casserole.
  • Pork Casserole.

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 does Anna always make chicken casserole? ›

Anna brings a casserole to dinner at Neil and Emma's house, uses a casserole to lure murder details out of Neil's late wife's sister, distracts the police with casserole, and even brings a casserole to Elizabeth's grave (with her mysteriously changing headstone epitaphs) on what would have been her birthday.

Why is it called a John Wayne casserole? ›

John Wayne first wrote the casserole recipe, but it looks a little different today. John Wayne Casserole was first popularized by the 1979 cookbook, "Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends," a collection of different celebrities' favorite dishes.

What is the oldest dish we still eat? ›

The World's 10 Oldest Dishes And Where They Are Today
  • Indian curry, circa 2200-2500 B.C. ...
  • Pancakes, circa 11650 B.C. ...
  • Linzer Torte, circa 1653. ...
  • Tamales, circa 5000 B.C. ...
  • Burgers, circa 100 century A.D. ...
  • Mesopotamian Stew, circa 2140 B.C., and bone broth, circa 400 B.C. ...
  • Rice dishes, circa 4530 B.C. ...
  • Beer, circa 3500 B.C.
Sep 2, 2023

What was the original casserole? ›

Casserole history

Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

What do they call casseroles in England? ›

' In the UK, the terms casserole and stew tend to be used interchangeably, although some distinguish them by saying stews are cooked on a stovetop while casseroles are cooked in an oven.

What is the French version of casserole? ›

In France, un casserole refers specifically to a saucepan, and nothing else. However, une cassolette—a baked dish that's akin to what Americans call a casserole—is somewhat popular in French home cooking.

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

What is a 9 by 13 casserole dish? ›

The average 9x13 rectangular baking dish holds 3.5 to 4 quarts. However, the number of quarts varies based on how deep the dish is—some of our deeper recommendations hold up to 5 quarts. Recipes that cook in a 3-quart dish or Dutch oven can be cooked interchangeably in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Are casseroles a southern thing? ›

Few dishes have a closer link to Southern home-cooking traditions than the casserole. Recipes, ingredients, and methods vary from kitchen to kitchen, but the idea of mixing different food items, baking in a deep and sturdy dish, and serving to friends and family is near and dear to many Southerners' hearts.

Why do Southerners love casseroles? ›

It also reminds me of the South, and though I'm not from there, Lisa Cericola, Deputy Editor at Southern Living agrees, "Southerners love casseroles because no gathering is complete without food, and they are the ultimate make-and-take dish.”

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.

What thickens chicken casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

Who invented the first casserole? ›

And a piece by Langdon Reid in a Staunton, Virginia, newspaper says: “History tells us that a French Canadian immigrant Elmire Jolicour is credited with inventing the casserole, this wonderful dish of culinary breakthrough, in Berlin, New Hampshire, in 1866.”

Who made the first recipe? ›

The earliest known written recipes date to 1730 BC and were recorded on cuneiform tablets found in Mesopotamia. Other early written recipes date from approximately 1600 BC and come from an Akkadian tablet from southern Babylonia. There are also works in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting the preparation of food.

When did people start making casseroles? ›

Baked dishes have existed for thousands of years. Early casserole recipes consisted of rice that was pounded, pressed, and filled with a savoury mixture of meats such as chicken or sweetbread. Sometime around the 1870s the casserole seems to have taken on its current definition.

What do they call a casserole in Minnesota? ›

The term “hot dish” first appeared in a cookbook in 1930 by a Mankato, Minnesota church group called Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. Also, a fun fact, in the 1950s, Ore-Ida needed a way to use leftover potato scraps, and thus behold came the tator tot. They marketed them as a topping for casseroles and they really took off.

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