There is a reason casseroles never went out of style down here! One dish feeds a crowd, most of them can be made ahead, and the leftovers are somehow better the next day.
These are the classics: chicken and stuffing, green bean casserole, scalloped potatoes and ham, and all the other recipes that have earned a permanent spot on a Southern table.
The nicest thing about a casserole is how little it asks of you. Most of these can be put together the night before, baked straight from the refrigerator with a few extra minutes, and carried to a potluck in the very same dish you cooked them in.
Not sure where to start? Go with the chicken and stuffing casserole or the green bean casserole. Both are just about impossible to get wrong, and both will have somebody asking you for the recipe before the night is over!
⭢ Chicken Casseroles We All Know
Chicken casseroles are the heart of Southern comfort cooking, and these are the ones folks ask for by name. If you are short on time, start with the chicken and stuffing casserole. It has never once let me down!
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
This is the one everybody asks for by name. Tender chicken and buttery stuffing baked together into the coziest supper you can imagine.
Chicken Cornbread Casserole
A creamy, cheesy chicken filling tucked under a sweet cornbread top. It tastes like something your grandmother would have pulled from her oven.
Chicken Divan with Curry
The classic chicken and broccoli bake with a warm hint of curry. Fifteen minutes of prep gets you an old church-supper favorite that never goes out of style.
Chicken and Biscuits
A creamy chicken and vegetable filling baked under cheesy Bisquick drop biscuits. It is the kind of Southern comfort meal that fills the whole kitchen with warmth.
Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole
Creamy chicken and rice come together in one dish with just ten minutes of hands-on work. A simple, satisfying supper that never lets you down.
Chicken Noodle Casserole
All the comfort of chicken and noodles, made from scratch with no canned soup. Wholesome, homemade, and every bit as cozy as you remember.
Amish Chicken and Corn Casserole
A wholesome, made-from-scratch chicken casserole with sweet corn and simple pantry staples. Plain, honest cooking that tastes like a farmhouse Sunday.
Ritz Chicken Casserole
Creamy, cheesy chicken crowned with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. This is the potluck casserole that always comes home with an empty dish.
Poppy Seed Chicken
Creamy chicken and a crunchy poppy seed cracker topping bake with just ten minutes of prep. An old-fashioned favorite that folks never seem to tire of!
King Ranch Chicken
Layers of zesty chicken, cheese, and corn tortillas in one cozy Texas classic. Rich, a little bit spicy, and made for feeding a hungry table.
Hot Chicken Salad
A warm, creamy baked chicken salad with celery, almonds, and a crisp potato chip topping. An old Southern luncheon dish worth bringing back to your table!
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Cheesy, saucy, and full of tender chicken and spaghetti in every bite. This crowd-pleaser has earned its place at family dinners for good reason.
⭢ Beef, Pork, Ham, & More
These are the stick-to-your-ribs casseroles built on ground beef, ham, and whatever is left in the fridge. Many started as a smart way to stretch Sunday’s roast or the holiday ham, and they are all the better for it.
Pork Chop & Rice Casserole
Tender pork chops nestled over creamy rice that you never have to peek at while it bakes. Set it, forget it, and let the oven do the work.
Cornbread Casserole with Ground Beef
A hearty, seasoned beef filling baked under golden cornbread. It is humble, filling, and exactly the kind of supper that keeps everybody coming back.
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Thin-sliced potatoes and ham layered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This is the dish that turns Sunday’s leftover ham into Monday’s best meal.
Ham and Noodle Casserole
Creamy noodles and ham baked until bubbly and golden on top. A thrifty, old-fashioned supper that stretches a little bit of ham a long way.
Pulled Pork Cornbread Casserole
Saucy pulled pork, peppers, and corn tucked under a cheesy cornbread crust. A little bit smoky, a little bit sweet, and all comfort food!
Leftover Turkey Casserole
Aunt Bee’s answer to a fridge full of holiday turkey, baked cozy and creamy. This is the casserole that makes leftovers feel like a brand new meal.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
The creamy, comforting tuna and noodle bake that so many of us grew up on. A true pantry-staple supper that has stood the test of time.
Hamburger Casserole
Ground beef, noodles, and cheese layered into a simple, filling family dinner. Plain and hearty in the very best farmhouse tradition.
Johnny Marzetti
A potluck classic with beef, noodles, tomato, and plenty of cheese. Old-school, budget-friendly, and always good for feeding a crowd.
Shipwreck Casserole
Layers of beef, potatoes, rice, and beans baked into one humble old-timer. A thrifty supper with a funny name and real staying power!
Tamale Pie
A zesty ground beef filling under a golden cornbread crust, all in one cast iron skillet. It’s Southern comfort food with a little Tex-Mex flavor.
⭢ Cheesy Vegetable Casseroles & Sides
No Southern spread is complete without a cheesy vegetable casserole or two on the side. These are the covered dishes that travel to every potluck and holiday table, and a few are good enough to eat as a meal on their own.
Green Bean Casserole
The creamy, crispy-topped green bean casserole no holiday table is complete without. Made easy with frozen green beans and pure nostalgia in every bite.
Jiffy Corn Casserole
Sweet, custardy corn pudding ready for the oven in just five minutes. This is the crowd-pleasing side that disappears first at every gathering.
Broccoli Casserole
Tender broccoli in a cheesy, creamy sauce with a buttery cracker topping. A simple side that even the broccoli skeptics come back around for.
Easy Potato Casserole
Aunt Bee’s cheesy potato casserole with just three ingredients and make-ahead ease. The classic that belongs at every potluck.
Southern Squash Casserole
Tender yellow squash baked creamy and cheesy with a crisp cracker top. A true Southern summer staple that earns a spot at any supper.
Homemade Mac and Cheese
Rich, creamy, made-from-scratch mac and cheese baked until golden and bubbly. The kind of dish that quiets a whole table at first bite.
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
Cheesy, creamy hashbrown casserole with a crunchy topping and cozy familiarity. A brunch and potluck favorite that always earns seconds.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
Silky sweet potatoes under a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. It walks the line between side dish and dessert, and nobody minds one bit.
Old-Fashioned Scalloped Corn
Creamy baked corn with a buttery cracker crust, just like the old church cookbooks. A humble, nearly forgotten side worth setting back out.
Southern Pineapple Casserole
Sweet pineapple, sharp cheddar, and buttery Ritz crumbs in one surprising Southern classic. Odd on paper, beloved at every covered-dish supper!
The best casseroles get handed down, scribbled on index cards, and carried from one kitchen to the next. I hope one of these ends up on a card in your own recipe box!
Bookmark the collection so it is easy to find when you need it!
A Few Casserole Notes
Casseroles are forgiving by nature, but a handful of small things make them turn out better every time. Here is what I have learned after making these for years.
⇢ Put it together the night before. Nearly all of these can be assembled, covered, and refrigerated a day ahead. Just let the dish sit on the counter while the oven preheats, or add ten to fifteen minutes to the baking time if it goes in cold.
⇢ Know what freezes and what does not. Most casseroles freeze beautifully, especially unbaked. The exception is anything with a made-from-scratch cream sauce, since dairy tends to separate once it thaws. Rice and pasta soften a bit too, so those are best eaten fresh.
⇢ Save the crunchy topping for last. Cracker crumbs, French fried onions, and crushed chips go on during the final stretch of baking. Add them at the start and they turn soft long before the middle is hot.
⇢ Cover it, then uncover it. A lid or a sheet of foil keeps everything moist while it heats through. Pull it off for the last few minutes so the top browns and bubbles the way it should.
⇢ If you are carrying it somewhere, bake it in a disposable pan and wrap the whole thing in a kitchen towel. It will stay hot most of the way there, and nobody has to remember to return your dish.
