Hearty casserole recipes

Votes: 4

Nothing beats a classic casserole—hot, cozy, and filling. These recipes are sure to delight, from traditional dishes like tuna noodles to new twists like chicken casserole with spinach and artichokes.

Chicken and Corn Tortilla Casserole

The key to this hearty Mexican-inspired casserole from Trisha is the simple base of chicken and sauce.

Recipe: Chicken and Corn Tortilla Casserole

Ramen Noodle Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli

This easy recipe turns ramen noodles (a favorite college food) into a delicious and filling casserole for a large crowd.

Recipe: Ramen Noodle Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli

Meat casserole with cheddar cheese

Try a new take on the casserole—a versatile one-pot meal. This recipe combines hearty ground beef with cheddar and egg noodles.

Recipe: Meat casserole with cheddar cheese

Tetrazzini with chicken and cauliflower

This tender casserole of mushrooms, boiled chicken and cauliflower requires only a little pre-cooking the day before serving.

Recipe: Tetrazzini with chicken and cauliflower

Breakfast Bagel Casserole

This popular dish contains everything you love about a traditional bagel sandwich breakfast, but in a casserole that you can make the night before.

Recipe: Breakfast Bagel Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna, peas, fresh mushrooms and plenty of cheese: Sunny prepares an updated version of a casserole for a large crowd.

Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Vegetable gratin

Giada's colorful potato, yam, bell pepper, and zucchini casserole is a perfect accompaniment to grilled steak. Its Parmesan and breadcrumb crust makes it hearty enough for a vegetarian main course.

Recipe: Vegetable gratin

Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Spaghetti and meatballs are now ready to be eaten by the slice. Each bite of this casserole is packed with tiny meatballs and gooey cheese. You can also add leftover cooked Italian sausage.

Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Cauliflower casserole with cheese, green onions and bacon

Cauliflower goes the way of stuffed potatoes: you'll find all your favorite ingredients in a cheesy, low-carb casserole with a rich flavor.

Recipe: Cauliflower casserole with cheese, green onions and bacon

Casserole with chicken and tortillas

All your favorite Tex-Mex flavors combined into a cozy casserole that's quick and easy to make.

Recipe: Casserole with chicken and tortillas

Egg Noodle and Tuna Casserole

This delicate egg noodle dish is made entirely in one baking dish. It tastes just like the casseroles of your childhood, but requires fewer dishes (and cleanup is easier). Instead of a classic cream of mushroom soup, we use a combination of cheese, broth, heavy cream, and sour cream, which creates the same velvety texture.

Recipe: Egg Noodle and Tuna Casserole

Portioned casserole with chicken, spinach and artichokes

Molly's tender, cozy, and delicious casserole is the perfect dish for making ahead. She keeps the recipe in the freezer and pops it in the oven for just 30 minutes for a quick lunch.

Recipe: Portioned casserole with chicken, spinach and artichokes

Shrimp Alfredo Casserole

Place the pasta, a package of shrimp, and a few pantry ingredients into a baking dish and bake. Just before serving, stir in some heavy cream, sprinkle with grated cheese, and fresh parsley for a quick, filling weeknight dinner.

Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo Casserole

Casserole with grated potatoes

This hash brown-like dish is a cozy side dish you'll want to make for both breakfast and dinner parties. We decided to forgo the canned soup and make a homemade cheese sauce. Ultimately, we're recreating a classic dish from the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain.

Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

The best green bean casserole ever

Alton gives a classic a fresh, modern twist. Instead of creamy soup and canned vegetables, he uses real mushrooms, a mixture of milk and cream, and fresh green beans.

Recipe: The best green bean casserole ever

French Toast Casserole with Coconut Almond Topping

The creamy coconut-almond crust makes this casserole truly special and balances the delicate, airy texture of the bread. It's best to assemble the dish a day in advance to allow the bread time to soak up the cream.

Recipe: French Toast Casserole with Coconut Almond Topping

Broccoli and Orzo Pasta Casserole

A mild Havarti cheese is perfect for this hearty casserole. This mild Danish cheese comes in a variety of flavors—try dill or caraway for a savory twist.

Recipe: Broccoli and Orzo Pasta Casserole

Baked pasta with fried vegetables

A vegetable lover's dream. Red pepper, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and peas: rich flavor in every bite.

Recipe: Baked pasta with fried vegetables

Mashed baked potatoes

Instead of filling individual potato boats, Ree makes twice-baked potatoes with cheese and bacon into a hearty casserole.

Recipe: Mashed baked potatoes

Classic Italian lasagna

To make Giada's traditional lasagna, make each of the layers separately and stack them on top of each other.

Recipe: Lasagne with spinach

Chicken, mushroom, and cheddar cheese pie

In this cozy dish, the chicken serves two purposes: the meat is added to the filling, and the bones enrich the store-bought broth. The cheddar cheese crust is well worth the time spent making it.

Recipe: Chicken, mushroom, and cheddar cheese pie

Sloppy Joe's Pasta and Meat Casserole

Try Rachel's modern take on the classic: Sloppy Joe's casserole. Just add macaroni, cheddar, and dill pickles.

Recipe: Sloppy Joe's Pasta and Meat Casserole

Paella in the oven

This paella is a lifesaver when you're short on time: simply assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate it the night before, then quickly bake it the day you're ready to serve.

Recipe: Paella in the oven

Italian Chicken Pasta Casserole

Giada's Chicken and Pasta Casserole will be on the table in less than half an hour.

Recipe: Italian Chicken Pasta Casserole

Spaghetti casserole with chicken

Ree's chicken and spaghetti casserole is pure soul food. To make the dish easier to eat, Ree breaks the spaghetti into pieces.

Recipe: Spaghetti casserole with chicken

Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole

This casserole, based on a favorite soup, will satisfy your craving for a comforting, hearty meal. Partially cooked egg noodles soak up the flavorful sauce without becoming too mushy.

Recipe: Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole

Black Bean Lasagna

Trisha's vegetable lasagna is anything but boring. Black beans, tofu ricotta, and roasted tomatoes combine for a flavorful, filling dinner that's meat- and dairy-free.

Recipe: Black Bean Lasagna

Oven-baked rice with cauliflower and chickpeas

For an easy lunch, you don't need to cook a pot of rice: just combine the ingredients in a baking dish. Basmati rice and chickpeas are infused with the wonderful flavors of ginger, garlic, curry powder, and coconut milk. Top this simple, filling dish with lime wedges, a drizzle of yogurt, and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro leaves.

Recipe: Oven-baked rice with cauliflower and chickpeas

Mexican Meat and Bean Casserole

We called this casserole a "smashed enchilada" because the soft bottom layer of baked tortilla chips resembles an enchilada. Best of all, it's much easier to make!

Recipe: Mexican Meat and Bean Casserole

The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Make a classic version of your favorite dish: creamy sweet potato puree and crunchy pecans on top.

Recipe: The Best Sweet Potato Casserole

Pork sausage casserole for breakfast

Trisha's meat casserole is great for both lunch and breakfast. For a more vibrant flavor, use ground sausage with sage.

Recipe: Pork sausage casserole for breakfast

Oven-baked spaghetti

This lasagna-spaghetti hybrid with meat sauce makes a great warming lunch. Using leftover cooked pasta and ready-made tomato sauce, this dish is incredibly quick to prepare. Assemble the ingredients ahead of time and bake just before serving.

Recipe: Oven-baked spaghetti

Layered Baked Chicken Enchiladas

Rachel's enchilada sauce is packed with poblano peppers, Mexican tomatoes, and cumin for just the right amount of heat and cheesy goodness.

Recipe: Layered Baked Chicken Enchiladas

Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

This colorful, hearty casserole can be prepared in advance and baked the next day—perfect for a brunch with company.

Recipe: Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Hot sandwich casserole with cheese and tomatoes

If your favorite comfort food is a hot cheese sandwich and tomato soup, then this casserole is for you. The toasts are cooked in the oven, not on the stovetop. Try this simplified method when making sandwiches for a group.

Recipe: Hot sandwich casserole with cheese and tomatoes

Lasagne with spinach and mushroom ragout

Assemble the lasagna the day before and refrigerate, then let it come to room temperature before baking.

Recipe: Lasagne with spinach and mushroom ragout

Pot pie with corn crab chowder

You'll be delighted with this single-serve dish, which combines a cozy chowder with a hearty pot pie.

Recipe: Pot pie with corn crab chowder

Lumberjack's Breakfast Casserole

Combine your favorite breakfast foods in one dish! You can use a different cheese if you like—try Pepper Jack for a spicier taste.

Recipe: Lumberjack's Breakfast Casserole

Banana Chocolate Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Enjoy pancakes with bananas and chocolate. Add a few sliced strawberries or a handful of raspberries for extra flavor and color!

Recipe: Banana Chocolate Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Meat casserole with beans

Trisha combines meat, beans, and barbecue sauce into a simple casserole for a crowd.

Recipe: Meat casserole with beans

Spaghetti casserole in a skillet

Place the cooked spaghetti into the egg mixture in the pan, then top with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan.

Recipe: Spaghetti casserole in a skillet

Butternut Squash, Bacon, and Apple Casserole

Molly says this dish embodies winter comfort. She makes homemade savory scones that are baked on top of bacon, apples, and butternut squash.

Recipe: Butternut Squash, Bacon, and Apple Casserole

Dumpling casserole

Instead of store-bought pierogi, try Michael's delicious casserole. He layers mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, bacon, and cheese on homemade dough for a truly comforting dish.

Recipe: Dumpling casserole

Slow Cooker Sausage Breakfast Casserole

If you love an American breakfast of hash browns, eggs, sausage, and peppers, then this recipe is for you! Besides being delicious, this casserole can be made overnight. Combine the ingredients in a slow cooker and set it to low, and a hearty breakfast awaits you and your guests in the morning.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Breakfast Casserole