The Ultimate Comfort Food
Casseroles have a way of bringing comfort to the table, but so many classic recipes lean on a can of condensed soup. While that shortcut definitely works, it often leaves things tasting a little flat or overly salty. But have no fear - you can make delicious, creamy, and satisfying casseroles from scratch without needing to stock up on cans. These recipes are hearty, easy to make, and guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
This popular dish is easily made without a can being involved! Cook egg noodles and toss them with sautéed onions, peas, a simple homemade cream sauce, and flaked tuna. Top with buttery breadcrumbs and bake until golden. It’s great for kids, as tuna helps developing brains, and it tastes so good.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake
This fall-inspired casserole combines pasta with a silky pumpkin cream sauce made with milk, garlic, and Parmesan. Toss in healthy spinach or hearty sausage if you’d like, then bake until bubbly under a cheesy topping. Why not bring it out for a Halloween party? It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Mexican Casserole
Instead of using a can of soup, whip up a quick tomato-chili sauce and layer it with tortillas, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and salsa. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly. It’s like enchiladas in casserole form – perfect if you’ve always loved the unforgettable zing of Mexican food.
Broccoli Casserole
Skip the canned cream of mushroom and instead whip up a quick cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, and sharp cheddar. Toss it with steamed broccoli, a sprinkle of breadcrumbs, and more cheese on top. The result? A bubbly, golden casserole that’s healthy as well!
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit Casserole
These foodstuffs are not just for breakfast! This foodie favorite layers fluffy biscuit pieces with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and plenty of melty cheese. Instead of canned soup, use a simple egg-and-milk mixture to hold it all together. It bakes into a hearty dish that the whole family will love.
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Think chicken noodle soup in cozy casserole form – it’s perfect for when you have a cold. Use cooked chicken, egg noodles, sautéed veggies, and a homemade white sauce. Bake it with a cheesy topping until bubbly, wait for it to cool, and then savor every bite.
Taco Casserole
For this one, layer seasoned ground beef or turkey with sautéed onions, black beans, corn, and a homemade tomato-cheese sauce. Top with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese, then bake until bubbly. It’s all the flavor of tacos in a cozy, cheesy casserole form.
Green Bean Casserole
Instead of canned mushroom soup (which is loaded with preservatives) this green bean casserole uses a homemade mushroom cream sauce and fresh green beans. Yes, it takes a little longer, but it’s worth it. Toss them together, top with crunchy fried onions, and bake until golden. It’s deliciously creamy and a great way of getting kids to eat their greens.
Hash Brown Casserole
Obsessed with hash browns for breakfast? Try this! Bake up shredded hash browns with sour cream, butter, and freshly made cheese sauce instead of canned soup. Add onions, seasonings, and lots of cheddar to land firmly in your comfort food era.
Skillet Tater Tot Casserole
This one skips the condensed soup and uses ground beef, onions, and a quick cheese sauce built right in the skillet. Top it with tater tots and bake until golden and crispy. It’s quick and easy and you only have to clean up one pan!
Mushroom Rice Casserole
Healthy mushrooms, brown rice, and a selection of veggies get baked together in a creamy sauce made with plant-based milk and nutritional yeast. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until golden. It’s rich, filling, and perfect if you happen to be a vegan.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
This tasty dish doesn’t use the soup shortcut, it uses a homemade sauce with chicken stock, cream, peppers, and spices. Layer it with shredded chicken, tortillas, and plenty of cheese for that Tex-Mex goodness. A perfect lunchtime meal for kids.
Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole
Classic chicken and rice is boring! Give the stuff an upgrade with a creamy homemade sauce made from broth and milk instead of canned soup. Add in sautéed onions, garlic, and carrots for flavor. Everything bakes together in one dish until the chicken is juicy, the rice is tender, and the whole thing smells amazing.
Baked Cheesy Potato Casserole
This one is so nice and easy, and who doesn’t love a lot of cheese? Just layer thinly sliced potatoes with onions and smother them in a homemade cheese sauce, then bake everything until bubbling and golden. The top gets crispy while the inside stays creamy and comforting.
Ham Tetrazzini
This cozy casserole has no need of soup, just tasty spaghetti tossed in a creamy white sauce with ham, peas, and Parmesan. Top with breadcrumbs and bake until bubbly. It’s a great way to use leftover ham and thus reduce food waste, and everyone loves spaghetti.
Beef Burrito Casserole
This Tex-Mex favorite layers seasoned ground beef with tortillas, refried beans, and cheese. A homemade enchilada-style sauce keeps it moist and flavorful. Once baked, it’s melty, cheesy, and ready for toppings like sour cream, salsa, or avocado.
Chicken Spaghetti
Skip the cans of soup (don’t forget, buying them eats into your grocery budget) and make this comfort food the fresh way. Toss spaghetti with cooked chicken, peppers, and a creamy homemade cheese sauce, then bake it until bubbly.
Cordon Bleu Casserole
This gives you and your family all the flavors of chicken cordon bleu in an easy bake. Layer cooked chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese, then cover with a creamy homemade white sauce. Top with buttery breadcrumbs and bake until golden. No soup required!
Squash Casserole
Another great Fall recipe. Fresh yellow squash bakes into a cheesy, golden casserole without any need for soup. A quick sauce of eggs, milk, and shredded cheese keeps it creamy, and then you can crumble a cracker over it for the topping.
Creamed Spinach Casserole
This casserole takes the steakhouse classic and turns it into a baked dish. Mix fresh spinach into a homemade creamy cheese sauce, then top it with breadcrumbs and more cheese. Bake until done and enjoy – and don’t forget, spinach is considered a superfood, so the more of it you eat the better!
Creamy Sausage Potato Bake
Browned sausage, thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and a very easy to make cheese sauce come together in this delicious dish. No canned soups need apply! It’s rich, satisfying, and perfect for a chilly winter’s night when you need warming up.
Turkey Noodle Casserole
To make this dish, turkey, egg noodles, and veggies need to be tossed in a homemade cream sauce and baked until bubbly with a cheesy topping. It’s a great way to use up leftover turkey, it only takes one pot, and it’s great for Thanksgiving.
