31 Easy Casserole Recipes For The Holiday Season

Few dishes scream the holidays like a casserole. These one-dish wonders are the perfect comfort food for any menu, sweet or savory. They are often quick to assemble, easy, cost-effective, and convenient to transport. They are also a fantastic way to feed a crowd without too much fuss. And many of them can be prepared ahead of time, taking some of the stress off of entertaining the day of. The best part is that leftovers reheat beautifully and often taste better the next day.

The best casserole recipes incorporate multiple flavors and textures, developing unexpected complexity to tickle every one of your taste buds. Some of these recipes are variations on classics; others are exciting and innovative twists on dishes traditionally made on the stovetop, like gumbo. A few of these even use the Instant Pot to speed things up even more. You will find the perfect casserole recipe here to fit any holiday entertaining needs, regardless of the menu you are planning.

The origins of the tater tot casserole, or hot dish, date back to a 1930 Minnesotan church cookbook. Hungry dinner guests in all fifty states will gobble up this variation of the classic. This meaty, cheesy delight is topped with frozen tater tots lined up like soldiers for a stunning presentation.

Though the recipe calls for beef, you could easily use ground pork, turkey, chicken, lamb, or game meat for something different. Don't skip draining off any excess fat from the cooked ground meat. Not doing so will make your casserole greasy and fall apart.

Recipe: Cheesy Tater Tots Casserole

If you like tacos and pie, this attractive casserole dish is for you. It comes together quickly and is incredibly versatile. Yet again, you can substitute ground beef for any meat you prefer. You could even turn it into a vegetarian delight by swapping black or pinto beans for the meat. And for a colorful twist on the crust, try using spinach tortillas. The green color will give this quite a festive look.

To serve, garnish this pie with a dollop of sour cream, a hint of guacamole, and some freshly chopped cilantro. Ideal side dishes would include Spanish rice and Mexican elotes. 

Recipe: Taco Pie Casserole

This one-dish chicken parmesan spinoff has all the flavors of the classic with none of the time-consuming labor. Though the recipe calls for cooking raw chicken breasts, you could easily use leftover chicken in this dish. You can change things by swapping the spaghetti with any other pasta you like. And to add some depth of flavor, opt for a different tomato-based sauce, like a spicy arrabbiata.

The best accompaniment to this casserole would be a green salad. Consider a classic Caesar or spinach salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, artichoke hearts, olives, and goat cheese.

Recipe: Parm-Style Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This savory spin on a bread pudding is rife with complexity and could be served for breakfast or as a side dish. Incorporating two kinds of bread, one sweet and the other not, helps to balance out the spiciness of the chorizo. Mushrooms lend a rich, umami flavor, and the goat cheese creates a creaminess that pulls the whole thing together.

To make this dish ahead, you can assemble all the ingredients, transfer them to your baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. Remove the dish from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you bake it to bring it to room temperature.

Recipe: Chorizo Bread Pudding

A strata is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to serve brunch to a crowd. This recipe incorporates classic holiday flavors with pumpkin, toasted pepitas, and nutmeg. You can assemble this the night before to save time and store it in the refrigerator. Doing so will enable the bread to absorb all the flavors from the custard batter. Be sure to bring the dish to room temperature before baking.

This dish would be lovely served with a fruit salad. You might also consider whipping up some festive mimosas, one with orange juice and the other with cranberry.

Recipe: Pumpkin and Sausage Strata With Toasted Pepitas

The hot, melted, gooey ham, cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between two slices of crunchy bread of a classic Cuban satisfies even the pickiest eater. This casserole uses these ingredients and converts them into a novel dish for a crowd. The key is to allow the egg batter to absorb into the bread overnight. And don't skimp on the crushed cornflake topping, creating the illusion of the mouthfeel of biting into crunchy bread.

If you serve this for dinner, consider pairing it with a side salad. For those wanting to use this as a brunch dish, you can pair it with fresh fruit and strong Cuban coffee.

Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole

This dish comes together in a flash with your Instant Pot. If you don't have one, you can still make this recipe. Sauté the beef mixture in a skillet on the stovetop. Assemble the ingredients in a baking dish as instructed. To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Your Instant Pot typically cooks in less time than a dish would in the oven. This dish should take roughly 15 to 20 minutes to bake in the oven. You can top the casserole with the shredded cheese before baking to melt it atop your enchiladas and then garnish with sour cream.

Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Enchilada Casserole

This simple baked ziti casserole is almost a cross between a classic spaghetti bake and lasagna. While you could stir all the ingredients together and transfer them to your baking dish, alternating layers of tomatoes, pasta, and cheese give this a distinct texture and more visual appeal.

Take a hint from a classic lasagna and add some thawed frozen spinach to incorporate some vegetables into this dish. Make sure you squeeze out any excess liquid from the spinach before adding, or you will drown your noodles. Before serving, allow this casserole to rest for 10 minutes to make it easier to plate.

Recipe: Vegetarian Baked Ziti Casserole

It might sound corny, but this pudding is a side dish that will perk up the ears of your diners when they hear the dish hit the dining room table at your next holiday event. It is a dreamy, custardy delight that is easy to make and has a hint of heat to perk you up.

There are myriad ways of doctoring this recipe to add some textural intrigue. Incorporate chopped roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or marinated artichoke hearts. And if you'd like to amp up the gooey factor, top this with some melted shredded cheese in the last 20 minutes of baking.

Recipe: Chipotle Corn Pudding

If you like your baked potato loaded with the works, this casserole is for you. It uses leftover mashed potatoes and blends it with tangy cream cheese and sour cream before topping it with melty cheese and crispy bacon.

Consider layering the potatoes with some leftover turkey, chicken, or ham before topping them with cheese and bacon for more main dish action. You may also want to substitute the mashed potatoes with sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet spin. Garnish with finely chopped green onions for a pop of color and bright flavor.

Recipe: Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

No holiday is complete without the classic green bean casserole. This is a sophisticated grown-up spin using fresh green beans, a homemade mushroom cream sauce, and from scratch fried shallots. It may take a bit longer to prepare than the canned iteration, but it is well worth it. Just be sure you do not overcook your green beans, or they will lose their verdant hue.

For some depth of flavor, consider adding freshly grated nutmeg and some Italian seasoning to the mushrooms. You can also incorporate just a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a burst of umami richness.

Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

The holidays are all about comfort foods, but sometimes, we want to lighten things with a bright vegetable side dish. This casserole does just that without sacrificing the feel-good creaminess or crunchiness. It uses frozen broccoli florets, which are easier to prepare than fresh and can be equally nutritious.

While Ritz crackers have a great buttery flavor, you can use several other crunchy toppings, from potato chips to chopped nuts to crushed cornflakes. You could also substitute any other cream soup for the classic mushroom. Consider a cream of chicken, potato, or onion for a twist.

Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Biscuits and gravy are a quintessential Southern brunch classic. In this one-dish wonder, the recipe is re-imagined to feed a crowd using store-bought biscuits and a healthy dose of shredded cheese to top things off. The key is the perfect homemade gravy that is smooth and creamy without lumps.

Try using a spicy Italian bulk sausage for some heat, and consider popping some freshly grated nutmeg into your gravy for complexity. Serve this dish with fresh fruit and a pitcher of a spicy bloody mary for the ultimate celebratory holiday brunch.

Recipe: Cheesy Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

This recipe is more of a frittata than a casserole that comes together in the Instant Pot. Its combination of spices and vegetables has a bit of an exotic flair that gives it visual appeal and textural complexity.

For those who do not have an Instant Pot, the recipe can be made by sautéeing the vegetables on the stovetop and then transferring the ingredients into a greased 8x8 baking dish. It should take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the eggs are set. Serve this for brunch with a slice of banana or pumpkin bread.

Recipe: Instant Pot Bacon Casserole

This casserole recipe has rich umami flavors from the dehydrated mushroom, a brilliant chewy texture from the red rice, and the earthiness of kale. It also pays homage to a classic North African and Middle Eastern dish known as shakshuka by cracking two eggs into the casserole and cooking them until the whites are set and the runny yolks can be stirred into the rice and vegetables to create an almost cheesy texture.

Consider doubling the eggs to feed a larger crowd so everyone gets some of the yolk to dip in. Serve this dish with some pita, naan, or crunchy baguette to scoop up all that deliciousness.

Recipe: Mushroom and Red Rice Casserole

Pasta salad can be delicious. Pasta bake can be even better. This casserole combines broccoli with fusilli and a creamy sauce before topping it with cheese to create a gooey delight. While the recipe calls for garnishing with the crispy onions, you might consider adding them in the last 10 minutes of cooking so they can crisp up in the oven and heat through.

For some extra color, add other vegetables to the blend. Chopped red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and frozen edamame would be great additions. And if you'd like to convert this into an entrée, toss in some leftover chopped turkey, chicken, or ham.

Recipe: Fusilli and Broccoli Casserole

This casserole has Mexican Hamburger Helper vibes but uses a store-bought cornbread mix rather than pasta. The result is a one-dish dinner with meat, starch, and vegetables that can feed a family of six quickly and affordably. You could extend the dish and give it a festive holiday color by adding a green vegetable, like frozen broccoli, edamame, or green beans.

This recipe would also be great with leftover turkey, chicken, or ham instead of ground beef. Serve this dish with a simple side salad, some guacamole, and a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe: Mexican Cornbread Casserole

If you plan to entertain vegan guests or those with a dairy allergy this holiday season and want to serve a creamy facsimile of the classic green bean casserole, look no further than this recipe. It ingeniously takes advantage of the versatility of tofu to produce a kind of cream base for the umami-rich cremini mushrooms. Just be sure to purchase medium-firm tofu to obtain the appropriate texture.

For more depth of flavor, consider using a combination of mushrooms, like chanterelles, porcini, and cremini. They will help build that savory mouthfeel and flavor you would expect from dairy.

Recipe: Creamy Green Bean and Tofu Vegan Casserole

The sweet potato casserole is a holiday fixture on the dining room table. This recipe cleverly incorporates the Instant Pot to make quick work of the process of cooking the potatoes. If you do not have one, cook them in a saucepan filled with cold water on the stovetop.

To finish the recipe, transfer the mashed sweet potatoes to a baking dish and top with the pecan mixture before baking it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. If you are missing the marshmallows, top the sweet potatoes with marshmallows and then add the pecan mixture before baking.

Recipe: Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

This turkey noodle bake combines the best of several worlds and uses those leftovers. It marries the notion of a tuna noodle casserole with a Mexican queso dip for a festive delight your guests will want to dive right into. While you could use any pasta, the egg noodles lend a richness and a specific texture that is hard to replicate.

Serve this dish with all the toppings you usually see on a taco bar, including shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. You could also whip up some spicy black beans with cumin and chili powder to liven things up.

Recipe: Southwestern Turkey Noodle Bake

Speaking of leftovers, this is the ultimate mashup of practically everything that appeared on your Thanksgiving dinner table. And because it uses so many different leftovers, the complex flavors and textures are a one-dish meal that will satisfy everyone. For the person who has done the yeoman's share of the cooking, it comes together in a flash, feeding your whole family without effort.

The only thing missing in this dish is a green vegetable. To round out the meal, whip up a simple salad of spinach, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, goat cheese, and a light balsamic vinaigrette.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Casserole

This is yet another all-in-one dish that is sure to please a crowd. While the recipe, as written, uses raw chicken, you could easily repurpose leftover chicken, turkey, or ham. Add the cooked meat to your vegetables after sautéeing them.

You can purchase a Mexican spice blend if you do not want to create your own. Just note that these often have salt added. You may need to reduce the salt you incorporate into your rice and vegetables by half to offset this, or the dish will turn out too salty. Remember, you can always add more salt but can't remove it.

Recipe: Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole

While this recipe calls for making mashed potatoes from scratch, you can easily repurpose leftover ones. Reheat them in the microwave or gently in a saucepan on the stovetop until they are warm, then add the Dijon mustard, cheese, and scallions.

This recipe provides instructions for pre-assembling it. Refrigerate it until it is ready to bake. You should bring the whole thing to room temperature 30 minutes before baking, or the top will brown while the center may remain cold. You can use any good melting cheese, like Asiago, Colby, or Monterey Jack.

Recipe: Bacon Gruyere Mashed Potato Casserole

This simple recipe is almost like a cross between a savory bread pudding and a breakfast strata. The base ingredient is browned pork breakfast sausage, although you could easily use leftover turkey, chicken, or ham. You could also add other vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or broccoli for color.

While you could use any bread variety, a good brioche or challah works best for these casseroles. It will absorb the butter more readily, and the whole thing will stay moist. Serve this dish with a nice fruit salad and a combination of orange and cranberry juice for a festive holiday brunch.

Recipe: Country Breakfast Casserole

The beauty of this breakfast or brunch casserole is that you can assemble it the night before you intend to have guests over. Don't forget to remove it from the refrigerator in the morning and bring it to room temperature before you bake it for an elegant one-dish entrée.

Consider adding raisins, nuts, or chocolate chips to doctor this recipe. You could also incorporate classic pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and ginger for even more of a festive, warm holiday vibe. Be sure to serve this with plenty of crispy bacon for a savory contrast.

Recipe: Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole

Fish can be a quick and sophisticated choice for entertaining. Tilapia is a flaky white fish that cooks quickly. If you'd like to switch things up in this recipe, opt for an alternative tender-fleshed and mild-flavored fish, like grouper, cod, halibut, or bass. You can change the vegetables to whatever you prefer or is in season.

Since this casserole includes vegetables, wild rice or pilaf would be a suitable side dish. You might also serve a simple green salad and a rustic apple crumble for dessert to impress your dinner guests.

Recipe: Tilapia and Vegetable Casserole

A simple and elegant recipe, this frittata-like dish can be made for any holiday meal. You could add meat by tossing some cubed ham into the egg batter. For color, try throwing in half a diced red pepper or a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes with the shallots, asparagus, and mushrooms.

If you plan to serve this for lunch or dinner, the ideal accompaniment would be a nice green salad with spinach, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, fresh goat cheese, and a Dijon red wine vinaigrette. A good beverage choice would be a peach bellini.

Recipe: Asparagus Mushroom Swiss Egg Bake

Gumbo can be a notoriously fussy, time, and labor-intensive dish. While this recipe may not have all those slow-cooked flavors, it captures the essence of a New Orleans-style gumbo in just over 30 minutes.

This one-dish meal doesn't need much more than perhaps some braised collard greens as a side dish to round out the meal. For dessert, stick with the New Orleans theme by whipping up some beignets or flaming bananas foster. For libations, consider making a classic Sazerac cocktail. Your guests will think you spent all day pulling this gourmet meal together.

Recipe: Gumbo Casserole

Stuffed peppers get a festive makeover with this casserole. The classic recipe combines ground beef with corn and stuffing before loading up savory green peppers. If green peppers are too bitter, consider substituting red or yellow ones. They tend to be sweeter and have a milder flavor.

To serve these epic stuffed peppers, pair them with creamy mashed potatoes and a vegetable, like maple-roasted brussels sprouts or asparagus. While pie is classic for the holidays, in keeping with the Eastern European heritage of stuffed peppers, make apple strudel for dessert and top it with plenty of rich vanilla ice cream.

Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

The best feature of this festive casserole is its visual appeal. It looks like a pie, with the sweet potatoes being the crust and the turkey soup blend being the filling. If you prefer, you could use white potatoes and substitute the turkey with ham.

An alternative topping to the nuts and parsley would be crushed cornflakes, crackers, or potato chips. Add these during the last 10 minutes of baking to provide a crispy contrast in texture. Serve this dish with a green vegetable, like sautéed spinach or green beans almondine. For dessert, a classic pecan pie is in order.

Recipe: Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole

This play on the classic Southern comfort dish is so easy you almost won't believe it. It utilizes frozen popcorn chicken to mimic hunks of fried chicken and toaster waffles to create a French toast-like iteration of this dish. The egg batter will soak into the waffles, creating a marvelous custard-like texture.

Serve this for your next Christmas brunch to serve a crowd. Make sure you provide plenty of chicory coffee and a sweet potato pie for something sweet to get everyone in the mood for opening presents.

Recipe: Chicken and Waffle Breakfast Casserole