Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole)
Don't let the name confuse you; they just might sound like death, but they’re actually the life of the party. Cheesy, creamy, and crowned with buttery cornflakes, this hashbrown bake is the centerpiece of any midwestern gathering and is to die for… in the best possible way.
Green Bean Casserole
The holidays, or any weeknight, for that matter, wouldn't be complete without this spectacular classic that somehow turns humble green beans into a creamy, savory delight. Oh, and the addictive crunch of the crispy fried onion topping! Irresistible!
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Will people ever get enough of the Sloppy Joe? Depends. Will pigs ever fly? Unlikely. Taking the messy-but-beloved sandwich and turning it into a neat, sliceable, and deeply satisfying bake is pure culinary genius; everything you love about the sandwich, baked under a cheesy crust.
Grandma's recipe box is full of winners, and this next one's a showstopper!
Grandma's recipe box is full of winners, and this next one's a showstopper!
Ham and Potato Casserole
There was no way anyone got through Easter or Christmas without having this beauty. Diced ham, potatoes, cream, and a generous blanket of cheese bubbling into a hearty, smoky bake that made you appreciate leftovers.
Pineapple-Chicken Casserole
Yeah, we know what you’re thinking. Pineapple? And chicken? Well, the unique combination of tender seasoned chicken, sweet juicy pineapple chunks, and a crunchy, buttery topping creates a uniquely sweet-and-savory comfort food experience. Don't knock it till you've tried it!
Cheesy Corn Casserole (Corn Pudding)
For those who prefer their sides slightly sweet, this creamy, custard-like corn bake is a must-have, whether you call it a casserole or a pudding. Sweet corn, creamed corn, eggs, and butter baked into a rich, custardy side that should not logically taste as good as it does.
Can't get enough of that creamy corn goodness? Neither can we!
Can't get enough of that creamy corn goodness? Neither can we!
Scalloped Corn Casserole
Similar to corn pudding, this version emphasizes the cream and often includes crushed crackers or breadcrumbs for a lighter, breadier texture that's absolutely divine. Don't be surprised if it upstages the turkey at your holiday table. It's just that good!
Tuna Noodle Casserole
That humble can of tuna couldn’t have asked for a better use. Egg noodles tangled in a creamy mushroom sauce with green peas and a crunchy breadcrumb top was Grandma’s cheeky way of turning ordinary pantry staples into extraordinary food. Just a bite still gets the nostalgia going.
Scalloped Potatoes
Basic, soft, full of love. Yet delicious! Simple layers of thinly sliced, fork-tender potatoes swimming in a rich, velvety cream sauce, baked until golden on top and tender beneath. Sometimes it really is the simple things in life…
It’s time to fill your kitchen with nostalgic aromas!
It’s time to fill your kitchen with nostalgic aromas!
Johnny Marzetti
Ohio’s famous claim to casserole fame! Elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and more than an unhealthy amount of gooey melted cheese all baked into a bubbling, hearty pan. For Grandma, it was just something she made. For you, it was your week’s highlight.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
When you need a reliable, cozy weeknight dinner, this is the back-pocket recipe you turn to for immediate satisfaction. Chunks of juicy chicken bake slowly into fluffy, seasoned rice and a creamy base, creating a tender, flavorful meal the whole family devours.
American Goulash Casserole
If you’re looking to feed a crowd, this is your hero. Just get some ground beef, elbow noodles, and tomato sauce, simmer together, top with a mountain of cheese, and bake until bubbly. One spoonful of this delicacy and you’re transported back to your childhood dinner table.
Thought goulash was good? Wait till you remember those tater tots!
Thought goulash was good? Wait till you remember those tater tots!
Tater Tot Hotdish
If you grew up anywhere near Minnesota, this was dinner royalty and the ultimate cozy meal. Crispy tater tots crowning a creamy mix of ground beef, veggies, and mushroom soup. It was carb-loaded perfection and the kind of one-pan magic that kept families fed through winters.
Sausage and Peppers Rice Casserole
This casserole is a complete meal that does all the cleanup for you since everyone makes sure to get every last bit! Savory sausage, sweet peppers, and rice baked together in a single dish. It’s so easy, you’ll almost feel guilty. Almost.
Chili Cornbread Casserole
The perfect blend of two cold-weather champions, this casserole features a thick, hearty chili that is topped with cornbread batter and baked until the crust is puffed and browned. It’s two comfort foods in one dish, best served with a spoon and a chilly evening.
Let’s focus on something sweet as well!
Let’s focus on something sweet as well!
Bacon and Egg Casserole
This baked bacon and egg casserole brings back cozy mornings at Grandma’s house. The smell of sizzling bacon, warm eggs, and melted cheese filled the table with warmth, aroma, and comfort. A hug from the past, served on a plate.
Chicken Divan
Think of this as a chicken and broccoli casserole, but with a fancy suit. It's basically the same cozy, cheesy goodness you love; it just calls itself "Divan." And don’t worry, the broccoli is just there to make you feel virtuous about the entire pound of cheese.
Tamale Pie
A hearty, savory casserole with a flavorful chili-spiced ground beef on the bottom and a soft, sweet cornbread layer on top; the perfect representation of a Midwest Southwest fusion. It’s warm, wholesome, and just the perfect amount of zesty.
Speaking of hearty pies, this next one's a meat-and-potatoes masterpiece!
Speaking of hearty pies, this next one's a meat-and-potatoes masterpiece!
Shepherd’s Pie (Cottage Pie)
If you’re looking to forget your worries and dive into a rustic classic, look no further. Savory ground lamb or beef simmer in a rich gravy, gently tucked beneath a fluffy, golden crown of mashed potatoes. The definition of stick-to-your-ribs wholesome goodness!
Baked Ziti (Midwestern Pasta Bake)
Italian by name, but Midwestern by heart, this pasta bake is a perpetual family favorite. When you combine ziti noodles with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and a generous amount of yummy, melted cheese, you’re bound to get a reliably hearty and crowd-feeding masterpiece.
Tuna Hotdish
More rustic than its Noodle Casserole cousin, this hotdish often leans on canned vegetables and a simple cream sauce. It’s not exactly filled with flair and style, but it is an inexpensive, reliable, and deeply satisfying meal that feels like a throwback to simpler times.
Who knew ham could hit you in all the right spots?
Who knew ham could hit you in all the right spots?
Ham & Bean Hotdish
This one smells like Saturday at Grandma’s after church cleanup. Leftover ham, baked beans, maybe a little ketchup if she was feeling fancy. It’s sweet, smoky, and somehow even better the next day (like all good Midwest food that accidentally turns into breakfast.)
Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole
The weekend breakfast of champions! This savory bake mixes hashbrowns with eggs, sausage (or bacon), and a rich blend of creamy cheese, baking into a thick, golden sliceable delight. For all those people who say casseroles are just for dinner, this dish begs to differ.
Chicken Tetrazzini
Grab some spaghetti or linguine and toss it in a decadent sauce made with cream, Parmesan, and wine, and mix with tender mushrooms and chicken. Bake to bubbly perfection and you’ve got comfort food that still tastes like Grandma made it!
The next one’s a shipwreck… literally!
The next one’s a shipwreck… literally!
Shipwreck Casserole
Layers of ground beef, onions, potatoes, and canned tomato soup baked into a miracle of Midwestern engineering. No one knows why it’s called Shipwreck, but one bite of this cheesy goodness and you’d gladly go down with this one. Maybe that’s why…
Taco Bake (Nacho-Style Casserole)
Everything you love about taco night, layered into one ridiculously satisfying pan. Seasoned ground beef, beans, and corn covered in crunchy tortilla chips and sharp cheddar. The result? A cheesy, hearty fiesta that nobody can get enough of!
Calico Bean Casserole
Beans, beans, and more beans, each one dressed for a different mood. Grandma would toss in whatever she had: kidney, baked, lima, even a rebel butter bean. And somehow it all worked. Proof that beans can, in fact, steal the show.
How much cheese is too much cheese?
How much cheese is too much cheese?
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
The glorious, golden-brown standard against which all other comfort foods are measured! The top layer of pasta gets delightfully crispy while the inside stays perfectly gooey and creates a sauce so good you might forget your own name.
Cheesy Hashbrown and Ham Bake
This bake is deeply savory and is the perfect brunch or dinner combination. The sharp bite of cheddar and creamy base surrounds chunks of salty ham, all set over a tender hashbrown foundation. It’s the breakfast of champions, or rather, the dinner of people who really love breakfast.
Beef Stroganoff Casserole
Think all the rich, wonderfully creamy flavor of the classic stovetop dish and transform that into a simple, easily bakeable format! Tender egg noodles and savory beef generously smothered in that iconic, luxurious mushroom and sour cream sauce that begs to be tasted again and again.
Every great meal deserves a sweet ending, and this next one's absolutely worth it!
Every great meal deserves a sweet ending, and this next one's absolutely worth it!
Apple Crisp Casserole
Imagine all the cozy, cinnamon-spiced flavors of classic apple crisp, beautifully baked into a warm, wonderfully spoonable dessert version. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it absolutely irresistible!
Hashbrown Shipwreck Casserole
Basically, Shipwreck’s potato-loving cousin; it has all the chaos of a shipwreck, none of the tragedy. Shredded hashbrowns, ground beef, and creamy soup all baked into something accidentally brilliant. If you’re hoping for leftovers with this one, don’t.
Ranch Chicken and Potato Casserole
If you’re someone who drizzles ranch over snacks, veggies, and pretty much anything else you can find, you’ll love this. It has all those tender chicken pieces and hearty potato chunks generously coated in that iconic, herby ranch seasoning and then baked until perfectly tender and golden.
Craving something creamy and comforting?
Craving something creamy and comforting?
Turkey Tetrazzini
The ultimate day-after-Thanksgiving comfort food that turns leftover turkey into an elegant meal. Diced turkey and tender noodles baked in a rich, mushroom-filled cream sauce for a decadent and deeply comforting second-day feast that tastes better than the first.
Rice and Bean Casserole
What better way to conclude a list than with a wonderfully simple and wholesome casserole? Get some fluffy rice and beans and bake them with zesty tomatoes and loads of melted cheese for a flavorful dinner that is surely going to take you back in time to your Grandma’s house.
