Casserole recipes make for easy, satisfying dinners. They're versatile, creative, and cost-efficient. A variety of savory cheeses like Gruyère, Swiss, and white cheddar, as well as vegetables such as potatoes and broccoli, bring earthy, nutty flavors to these hearty baked dishes. Luckily, we have a stellar collection of recipes you can try. From Braised Brisket Potato Tot Casserole to Cheesy Baked Pasta with Radicchio, these casseroles are perfect when you're seeking simple yet comforting weeknight dinner ideas.
01of 22
Mirliton and Gulf Shrimp Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mirliton-Gulf-Shrimp-Casserole-FT-BLOG1021-37955b4f90a9466585f6341069162d63.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (1)")
Mirliton, or chayote squash, tastes like a blend of cucumber and crisp zucchini. Paired with warming Creole seasoning and savory andouille sausage, the tender squash and sweet shrimp bring balancing freshness to this hearty casserole.
02of 22
Braised Brisket Potato Tot Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/braised-brisket-tater-tot-casserole-FT-RECIPE0422-9a65e66efc154dec878c0f31ea902c0c.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (2)")
This homey dish from The Stray Dog in Minneapolis takes classic Minnesota hot dish to new levels. The tender brisket is braised in stout beer, while brown sugar helps caramelize the brussels sprouts. A creamy mushroom bechamel brings everything together, while the truffle-laced potato tots cap things off.
03of 22
Butternut Squash Casserole with Leeks, Prosciutto, and Thyme
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201109-xl-butternut-squash-casserole-with-leeks-prosciutto-and-thyme-2000-4c75c58e327c4d648d15db451632bdcf.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (3)")
This luscious squash-studded bread pudding is the ideal accompaniment to roasted meat and poultry. Or, cut it into large squares and serve as a main course with a green salad on the side.
04of 22
Cheesy Baked Pasta with Radicchio
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cheesy-baked-pasta-with-radicchio-FT-RECIPE0320-b280b279d6344567978e01ae2a53824b.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (4)")
A splash of red wine vinegar balances the richness of this cheesy pasta and magnifies the pink color of the onions and radicchio. Omit the prosciutto to make this a vegetarian main dish.
05of 22
Macaroni and Beef Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201109-xl-macaroni-and-beef-casserole-2000-009a49ee7e9342329aa0acedd26ad105.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (5)")
There's nothing quite like the nostalgia you get from eating a meal you loved growing up. This casserole from F&W culinary director at large Justin Chapple is a homemade version of the boxed pasta meals he enjoyed (and still enjoys) when he was a kid. Fresh vegetables, ground beef, crushed tomatoes, pasta, melted cheese, and more come together to form a satisfying, hearty dish that's ready in under an hour.
06of 22
Grilled Summer Squash Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/grilled-summer-squash-casserole-FT-RECIPE0819-664a374b6c3044d6afff7744fe09e643.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (6)")
Traditionally called malaiwala, "the one with cream," this casserole is a Punjabi twist on a ratatouille-style summer side. Garland chef-owner Cheetie Kumar suggests making this a main dish by adding firm, cubed paneer.
07of 22
Oyster Casserole with Cracker Crumbs
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oyster-casserole-with-cracker-crumbs-FT-RECIPE1121-1-edd70ee9b6e644a09efc5aa008ffd191.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (7)")
In this quick, simple recipe from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham, tender, juicy oysters are drizzled with a bit of cream and hot sauce, then baked in a sumptuous, buttery crumb mixture for a bit of crunch. Serve as an appetizer for a dinner party or as a side dish with ham or turkey.
08of 22
Kentucky Hot Brown Macaroni and Cheese
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KY-Hot-Brown-Mac-and-Cheese-FT-RECIPE0422-5467510221fe4dffa6be1c7b424aa6c6.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (8)")
The Kentucky Hot Brown is a classic open-faced sandwich beloved in that state. It was created by Fred Schmidt in 1926 at The Brown Hotel in Louisville and features thick Texas toast topped with slices of roast turkey, tomato, and bacon, all doused with Mornay sauce. Here, we took the essential components of a Hot Brown and combined them for an untraditional macaroni and cheese with the soul of the original.
09of 22
Creamy Tuna Noodle Cazuela
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201301-xl-creamy-tuna-noodle-cazuela-94f9500149eb4ca9b63739f13ebed2a8.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (9)")
Jarred piquillo peppers and imported canned tuna from Spain add an Iberian twist to the classic American tuna casserole, making it more elegant but keeping it as simple and quick as the original.
10of 22
Tater Tot Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tater-tot-casserole-XL-RECIPE2016-1c31ebd693db4290a2d9004398ea583d.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (10)")
The secret to this casserole is the layer of creamed spinach in the middle. It adds elegance to the dish, as well as a nice contrast to the crispy, crunchy Tater Tot top. Pork sausage imparts extra savoriness.
11of 22
Chicken Pot Pie with Leeks and Thyme
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-pot-pie-with-leeks-thyme-recipe-FT-BLOG1019-e54f6fc7248b4cc298cdcf009acccda7.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (11)")
This classic chicken pot pie comes together in just about an hour and uses only one skillet. Come for the patchwork of crispy, golden brown puff pastry, stay for the comforting, classic flavors of the filling. Leeks and thyme lend a cozy, traditional taste to this dish, while Dijon mustard adds a subtle, unexpected punch.
12of 22
Cornbread Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/corn-bread-casserole-XL-RECIPE2016-f46083eec47246af8880b9654a27e32a.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (12)")
Cornbread casseroles are a too-busy cook's dream. A handful of pantry staples — frozen and canned corn, corn muffin mix, butter, sour cream, and an egg — are baked into something delicious and comforting. We jazz ours up with shredded cheddar and sliced scallions. You can keep it classic and skip the mix-ins or add whatever you have on hand.
13of 22
Mushroom Pot Pie
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mushroom-pot-pie-FT-RECIPE0921-d5d60bf4c4a24f92bb01008803c3b781.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (13)")
The deep woodsy flavor of fresh mushrooms is reinforced with dried porcini mushrooms in this gorgeous meatless pot pie worthy of a celebration. The recipe calls for purchased puff pastry, which is not only a relief to those who get nervous by the prospect of having to make their own pastry, but it also cuts out a lot of prep time. Use whatever fresh mushrooms you can find, keeping in mind that a nice mixture will add more flavor and texture to the pie.
14of 22
Mashed Potato Casserole with Sage and Fontina
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mashed-potato-casserole-with-sage-and-fontina-XL-RECIPE1116-043f6067cdb14a658d8e7d83f79d518a.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (14)")
To take mashed potatoes up a few notches, cookbook author Melissa Clark mashes them with a creamy, tangy mix of crème fraîche, butter, parsley, and sage, then tops them with cheesy breadcrumbs and bakes until crisp.
15of 22
Picadillo Beef Casserole with Corn-Scallion Biscuit Topping
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201109-xl-cuban-beef-casserole-with-corn-scallion-biscuit-topping-2000-d7e809ae6caa40b79e24ad9d3e8d9b9d.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (15)")
Inspired by a Cuban picadillo, this recipe perfectly balances savory and sweet with warm aromatic spices, sweet raisins, and tangy green olives.
16of 22
Green Bean Casserole with Almost-Burnt Almonds
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Green-Bean-Casserole-with-almost-burnt-almonds-FT-RECIPE1120-93a079acf8d14335a5b823c560877622.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (16)")
This riff on the Thanksgiving classic features tender-crisp green beans in a silky vegetarian sauce. With incredible crunch and intense nutty flavor, almost-burnt almonds take this dish to the next level; carefully cut one almond in half after the initial bake to make sure it’s browned all the way through.
17of 22
Broccoli and Wild Mushroom Casserole
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/200702-r-xl-broccoli-and-wild-mushroom-casserole-83c9f861430848a4942e89bb347c0534.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (17)")
Photographer and Alabamian Robert Rausch grew up eating vegetable casseroles — he and his mother are both vegetarians. The broccoli casserole his family ate is a step up from the standard church cookbook recipe, which calls for adding canned mushroom soup: In place of that, he uses wild mushrooms. He still relies on Ritz crackers, though, for the crisp, buttery topping.
18of 22
Pasta ’Ncasciata (Sicilian Baked Pasta)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Pasta-Ncasciata-Sicilian-Baked-Pasta-FT-RECIPE0223-bd976e82ff09421fade1e1558761bb67.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (18)")
In Sicily, ’ncasciata has many variations. Chef Michael Gulotta’s version combines tender eggplant, buttery caciocavallo cheese, and crushed tomatoes with al dente rigatoni. Baking the eggplant rounds rather than frying them cuts down on the prep time.
19of 22
Creamy Swiss Chard Gratin with Crispy Gnocchi
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Creamy-Swiss-Chard-Gratin-With-Crispy-Gnocci-FT-2-RECIPE1121-8ed363a57c84499c8c2f9a5e1fdf5d91.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (19)")
A riff on creamed spinach, this cheesy gratin is studded with buttery toasted gnocchi. Swiss chard adds an earthy bite, while a duo of nutty Gruyère and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano brings richness and depth to the bechamel. Store-bought gnocchi help this gratin come together in a flash; toasting it in butter instead of boiling adds a compelling crunch.
20of 22
Lazy Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lazy-cassoulet-1-FT-RECIPE0320-66f04f87ca974b27a5460cc3e5de9d8d.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (20)")
Cookbook author Molly Stevens' quick take on cassoulet includes boneless, skinless chicken thighs, smoked sausage, and plenty of white beans. "Everything gets gently folded together, spread in a shallow dish (either a gratin or a heavy skillet), topped with breadcrumbs, and baked until bubbling hot on the inside and crunchy-golden on top," she says.
21of 22
Roasted Eggplant Moussaka with Lamb
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/roasted-eggplant-and-lamb-moussaka-FT-RECIPE0921-4f230b8126524791be7701453c01c7d3.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (21)")
Roasting eggplant until it's creamy and custardy makes it the perfect base for layering with a rich, meaty sauce in this take on moussaka, which is topped with a luscious layer of ricotta and mozzarella cheese in place of bechamel sauce.
22of 22
Chicken Tetrazzini
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chicken-tetrazzini-XL-RECIPE2016-de62b2d4faaf47bea9f34f007aa46db6.jpg "22 Homey, Hearty Casseroles (22)")
If you don’t want to poach chicken breasts for this slightly dressed-up chicken tetrazzini, you can use three to four cups of meat from a rotisserie chicken instead.
