30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (2024)

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30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (1)Sue StetzelUpdated: Jan. 30, 2024

    These delicious holiday casseroles will keep your family happy all season. Make two and give the gift of a comforting meal.

    New England Lamb Bake

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    Taste of Home

    This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine

    Spinach-Parm Casserole

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    For those who ignore Popeye and won’t eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

    I know dried cranberries may seem like an odd ingredient to include in this dish, but they add just a hint of sweetness that makes an easy Christmas casserole so special. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

    Cordon Bleu Casserole

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    I often roast a turkey just to have leftovers for this creamy cordon bleu casserole. It makes for a pretty presentation at potluck dinners.—Joyce Paul, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan

    Mostaccioli

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    Even though we're not Italian, this rich, cheesy pasta dish is a family tradition for holidays and other special occasions. It tastes just like lasagna without the layering work. —Nancy Mundhenke, Kinsley, Kansas

    Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

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    My husband is a meat and potatoes guy, so I try new combinations for variety. In this dish, twice-baked potatoes and potato skins make a scrumptious casserole. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

    Pearl Onion Broccoli Bake

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    With its creamy white cheese sauce and buttery crumb topping, this dish is great comfort food. If you’re looking for a mild way to dress up broccoli, this is the recipe. —Charles Keating, Manchester, Maryland

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    Taste of Home

    My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

    Apple-Stuffed French Toast Bake

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    This is baked stuffed french toast casserole a great breakfast dish to make ahead for holidays or Sunday brunch. I run a bed and breakfast and tea room cafe, and this recipe is often requested by customers. —Kay Clark, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

    Fiesta Breakfast Bake

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    Taste of Home

    I get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family's favorite southwestern flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe.—Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri

    Savory Roasted Carrots with Mushrooms

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    Taste of Home

    You’ll need only 10 minutes to get these savory veggies ready for the oven. Then just stir them a few times during roasting, and you’re done. It’s a busy cook’s dream!—Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

    Classic Cabbage Rolls

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    I've always enjoyed cabbage rolls but didn't make them since most methods were too complicated. This recipe is fairly simple and results in the best cabbage rolls. My husband, Sid, requests them often. They're terrific to share at gatherings with our children and grandchildren. —Beverly Zehner, McMinnville, Oregon

    Italian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    My mother and I made a few small changes to a recipe we found in a cookbook to create this comforting side dish. We increased the vegetable count and tossed in some seasonings to take the flavor up a notch. It's definitely not your average green bean casserole. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana

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    This savory dish is the perfect excuse to have bread pudding as the main meal, not merely afterward as dessert. — Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia

    Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast

    My friend makes this French toast bake with blueberries, but I make mine with cranberry sauce. Either way, it’s divine. It makes a great brunch dish for Christmas morning. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

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    My family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana

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    This time of year, I can't resist butternut squash, with its bright color and fall flavor. It helps make this casserole a guaranteed hit at potlucks. —Craig Simpson, Savannah, Georgia

    Hash Brown Pancetta Casserole

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    Eggs, hash browns, cheese, spinach, pancetta and fabulous flavor—this casserole has everything! You could also substitute provolone or Swiss cheese for the fontina. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

    Eggnog Sweet Potato Bake

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    I love eggnog so I am always looking for new ways to use it. When I added it to mashed sweet potatoes I knew I had a winner. You can make this the night before and refrigerate it unbaked; the next day, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. It’s an easy Christmas eve recipe idea. —Katie Wollgast, Florissant, Missouri

    Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing

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    Taste of Home

    This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. The sweet-tart flavor of the dried cranberries really complements the dish's turkey sausage. —Corinne Portteus, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Italian Pasta Bake

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    I love to make this pasta bake whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.—Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana

    Elegant Green Beans

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    Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to the ordinary green bean casserole. Every time I make it for friends, I'm asked to share the recipe. —Linda Poe, Sandstone, Minnesota

    Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Vodka Sauce

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    I originally invented this scrumptious dish to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday, and it has since become a quick and easy family favorite. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas

    Colorful Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

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    When we have houseguests, we make broccoli and cheese strata the night before so in the morning we can relax and visit while it bubbles in the oven. —Gale Lalmond, Deering, New Hampshire

    Mixed Berry French Toast Bake

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    I love this recipe! It's perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or laid-back company—utterly delicious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine

    Brussels Sprouts au Gratin

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    In our house, Brussels sprouts have always been sought after. When I topped them with a creamy sauce, Swiss cheese and bread crumbs, it became a new holiday dinner tradition. —Gwen Gregory, Rio Oso, California

    Vegetable Barley Bake

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    Taste of Home

    Forget the potatoes and rice, and consider this change-of-pace dinner accompaniment. Wholesome barley makes for a heart-smart dish that complements just about any main course and other sides, too. —Shirley Doyle, Mount Prospect, Illinois

    Pasta fa*gioli al Forno

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    The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

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    When my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight. I couldn't conveniently fry eggs for that many people, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work, too. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

    Originally Published: November 17, 2017

    30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (30)

    Sue Stetzel

    Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.

    30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    Is it better to bake a casserole covered or uncovered? ›

    In general, you'll want to bake a casserole covered with aluminum foil for most of the cooking time. Covering the casserole helps lock in moisture and prevents it from drying out. If you don't cover the casserole or uncover it too soon, the casserole will dry out.

    Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

    Make-ahead meals (especially baked casseroles) are terrific because you can completely assemble them in advance and bake them just before serving. They're the ultimate comfort food as they come bubbling hot and delicious straight from the oven to the table to the delight of family and friends.

    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

    Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

    Soft vegetables like broccoli can be quickly par-cooked (aka blanched). If you are using hard vegetables like potatoes or carrots or other hardy root vegetables, you'll want to par-cook for longer. Often a quick 2-5 minutes in the microwave will just give them that great head-start.

    How long should a casserole be cooked for? ›

    The time a casserole takes to cook will vary from 2-2½ hours for chuck, blade and thick flank, up to 4 hours for shin, leg and neck. Pork cuts for braising and casseroling normally take 1½ hours, and lamb much the same.

    Is it better to bake a casserole in glass or metal? ›

    What Should I Bake In a Metal Baking Pan? We hate to say it – we've got nothing against glass, we promise! – but metal does an overall better job than glass of baking almost everything except for acidic desserts. It bakes evenly because it heats up so quickly.

    What temperature do you bake a casserole at? ›

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fill a large pot with water; bring to a boil. Cook chicken in boiling water until no longer pink inside, 20 to 30 minutes.

    Do you have to brown meat before making a casserole? ›

    You don't have to brown the meat, but you should do it anyway. However, you don't have to brown all of the meat. Browning is done to fully develop the meaty flavours, and if you put too much meat into the pan it will release too much moisture and not brown at all.

    What is the best temperature for a casserole? ›

    An oven temperature of 350 degrees F and a cooking time of 20-30 minutes is suitable for reheating most casseroles, but you'll want to make sure that your internal temperature reaches 165, just like when you first prepared it.

    What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

    So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

    What is the main ingredient in 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 three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

    Top tips for casseroles

    Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Add any ingredients that cook quickly, such as broad beans, towards the end of cooking. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish.

    Should you cook onions before putting in casserole? ›

    recipes ask that you sauté onions before adding other ingredients when making soups, stews, or other dishes that contain lots of liquid (as opposed to something like a stir fry).

    Should you cook meat before putting in casserole? ›

    With this in mind, be sure to choose a dish that is the correct size for your ingredients.
    1. Par Cook Pasta and Vegetables. A common issue with casseroles is soggy overcooked pasta or vegetable components. ...
    2. Always Cook Meat Before Adding. Don't add raw meat to a casserole. ...
    3. Let It Rest.
    Mar 2, 2023

    How do you thicken a casserole? ›

    The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

    Do you cover a casserole with foil when baking? ›

    The short answer is both. Covering a casserole traps heat and steam and gets the casserole cooking. However, you also have to take the cover off to get a crunchy, browned top.

    Does covering a casserole make it cook faster? ›

    The primary reason for covering a casserole as it bakes is to trap moisture inside the dish. This will not only keep the casserole itself moist, but it will also help get the casserole up to cooking temperature.

    What does covering a casserole with foil do? ›

    Covering dishes with aluminum foil during a bake helps lock in moisture. Loosely placing or tenting a sheet of foil over a dish can prevent the top from browning while the rest of your dish continues to bake.

    How do you keep a casserole from drying out? ›

    For best results, bring the it up to room temperature before reheating. Add a ¼ cup of water or milk to the top before you put it in the oven to reheat. The added moisture will do wonders in preventing the it from drying out. The best way to is to cover it and put it into a cold oven.

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