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

08of 26

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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25 Classic Recipes Made Casserole-Style (10)

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.

13of 26

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!

18of 26

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.

19of 26

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."

20of 26

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

23of 26

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 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, ...

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!

How many different types of casseroles are there? ›

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

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 is a fancy word for casserole? ›

Sense: Food

Synonyms: one-dish meal, covered dish, loaf , gratin, hot pot, hotchpotch, cassoulet, timbale, terrine, meat pie, lasagna, lasagne, moussaka, tagine, hash , stew , bake , pie , one-pot dish, food.

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 is the Midwest term for casserole? ›

A hotdish or hot dish is a casserole dish that typically contains a starch, a meat, and a canned or frozen vegetable mixed with canned soup.

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.

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.

What is the French version of casserole? ›

And just to muddy the waters, I should mention that the French sometimes use the term gratin to refer to what we'd call a casserole; however, these are generally baked in gratin dishes—that is, shallow baking dishes—versus the more deep-sided dishes in which Americans often bake casseroles.

What makes a meal a casserole? ›

A casserole is a one-dish meal that's baked and served from a sturdy baking dish that's itself known as a casserole. Casseroles can be main courses or side dishes like gratins or the famous Thanksgiving green bean casserole.

Who made 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.”

What do they call a casserole in Minnesota? ›

Casseroles were used as a means to stretch a leftover meal, which was especially important during the Great Depression and World War II. The term “hot dish” first appeared in a cookbook in 1930 by a Mankato, Minnesota church group called Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid.

What year were casseroles invented? ›

*The oldest “recipe” for casserole appears to be a form of macaroni and cheese that was written down in Latin. The recipe was called “de lasnis”, which called for pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese (probably parmesan) and mild spices. This was clear back around the year 1250!

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