26 Christmas Casserole Recipes to Make in Your 13x9 Pan (2024)

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26 Christmas Casserole Recipes to Make in Your 13x9 Pan (1)Christine RukavenaUpdated: Oct. 20, 2023

    Fresh from the oven, these Christmas casserole recipes are hearty, warm and ready to share.

    1/26

    Italian Pasta Bake

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

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    2/26

    Taste of Home

    New England Lamb Bake

    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

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    Here are more Christmas dinner ideas perfect for frosty weather.

    3/26

    TMB Studio

    Green Bean Casserole

    This green bean casserole is so easy to put together and is one of my all-time favorite dishes! You can make it before any guests arrive and keep it refrigerated until baking time. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington

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    Serve this holiday-ready casserole alongside other vegetarian recipes for Christmas dinner.

    4/26

    This recipe was inspired by a mushroom mac and cheese I had at a local restaurant. I incorporated the fall flavor of a pumpkin ale, and it turned out better than the original. —Laura Davis, Chincoteague, Virginia

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    5/26

    Reuben and Rye Strata

    This make-ahead dish is so easy to prepare. It's wonderful for brunch, lunch or supper, or as a potluck meal. If you prefer it, substitute turkey pastrami for the corned beef. —Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia

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    6/26

    Taste of Home

    Artichoke Spinach Casserole

    Although he isn’t a fan of spinach, my husband loves this casserole recipe. The combination of ingredients may sound unusual, but the flavors meld well. It’s an excellent side vegetable for a formal dinner. —Judy Johnson, Missoula, Montana

    7/26

    Dive fork-first into oodles of noodles baked to bubbly perfection and coated with a to-die-for sharp cheddar cheese sauce in this cavatappi, a grown-up version of mac and cheese. Hot sauce lends mild heat that’s delectable with the smoky topping. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida

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    8/26

    Taste of Home

    Potluck Sausage Casserole

    Whenever my husband digs in to this pasta casserole full of Italian sausage and veggies, he gets a big smile on his face. I love that! —Jane Davis, Marion, Indiana

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    9/26

    Prosciutto, Egg and Spinach Strata

    This egg spinach strata recipe is one of my favorite things to make for Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas morning! It’s a wonderful savory dish that incorporates elements of the cuisine I grew up enjoying. Plus, you can prepare it the night before and just throw it in the oven in the morning for a delicious Christmas brunch. —Danielle Pfanstiehl, Andover, Connecticut

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    10/26

    Christmas Cauliflower Casserole

    This creamy casserole is filled with tender cauliflower and topped with a sprinkling of crispy herb stuffing. It's become one of our favorite Christmas casseroles that appeals to both kids and adults in our family. —Carol Rex, Ocala, Florida

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    11/26

    Taste of Home

    This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina

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    12/26

    Taste of Home

    Maple Winter Squash Casserole

    This scrumptious casserole combines pumpkin and two other kinds of squash in a creamy, savory mix. The recipe also would work with other squash combos, or just one type instead of three. Have fun with it—you really can't go wrong! —Joanne Iovino, Kings Park, New York

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    13/26

    Taste of Home

    Bacon Potato Bake

    This cheesy potato casserole is always popular. It's a nice change from mashed potatoes and with a bread crumb and crumbled bacon topping, it looks as good as it tastes. —Helen Haro, Yucaipa, California

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    14/26

    Christmas Day Chicken

    I've been fixing this delicious chicken for Christmas dinner for over 10 years. It's convenient since you refrigerate it overnight, then simply coat with crumbs and bake. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. —Marcia Larson, Batavia, Illinois

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    15/26

    Warm Chicken Tortellini Au Gratin

    I have a number of easy, planned leftover recipes in my arsenal, which are especially useful when I'm busy. This is one of my favorites: pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. When paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that's fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland

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    16/26

    Eggs Benedict Bake with Bearnaise Sauce

    I've made this recipe for my family every Christmas morning for 10 years—it's a food tradition that we look forward to every year. Part of what makes this dish special is the croissants that make the egg bake extra light and fluffy. —Susan Triplett, Citrus Heights, California

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    17/26

    Apples and dried cherries add a sweet-tart flavor to my homemade stuffing. It makes a holiday dinner memorable. —Connie Boll, Chilton, Wisconsin

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    18/26

    Taste of Home

    Easy Scalloped Potatoes

    We all loved my mom's super-rich scalloped potatoes. I tweaked her recipe to keep all the flavor, but cut the fat. The cheese blend is the clincher. It's all about experimenting. —Diane Bramlett, Manteca, California

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    19/26

    Taste of Home

    Hearty Sausage and Cheese Lasagna

    During the holidays, it's nice to welcome friends and family into your home for a hearty meal of lasagna. Every bite is packed with cheese, sausage and sauce. —Gay Barker, Chanute, Kansas

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    20/26

    Oyster Fricassee

    I oversee the gardens at Colonial Williamsburg. We've learned that the colonists had a ready source of oysters from Chesapeake Bay. I enjoy this rich, creamy casserole, a special dish from this area's holiday recipe collection. —Susan Dippre, Williamsburg, Virginia

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    21/26

    Taste of Home

    Seafood Casserole

    A family favorite, this rice casserole is filled with plenty of seafood and veggies. It's hearty, homey and so easy to make. —Nancy Billups, Princeton, Iowa

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    22/26

    Taste of Home

    Pearl Onion Broccoli Bake

    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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    23/26

    Taste of Home

    Christmas Brunch Casserole

    No one leaves the table hungry when I serve this savory casserole. In fact, folks rave about it! What I like as much as the taste is that I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Eckler, Louisville, Kentucky

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    24/26

    Traditional Lasagna

    My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

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    25/26

    Chicken Tamale Bake

    When I serve this Mexican-style casserole, everyone scrapes the plate clean. Offer fresh toppings like green onions, tomatoes and avocado. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri

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    26/26

    Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

    Friends of ours served this homey dish when we visited them in Maryland. We just had to get the recipe, and we have since added a few ingredients to make it even tastier. —Carole Rago, Altoona, Pennsylvania

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    Originally Published: December 21, 2021

    26 Christmas Casserole Recipes to Make in Your 13x9 Pan (27)

    Christine Rukavena

    Christine loves to read, curate, sample and develop new recipes as a senior book editor at Taste of Home. A CIA alumna with honors, she creates cookbooks and food-related content. A favorite part of the job is taste-testing dishes. Previous positions include pastry chef at a AAA Five Diamond property. Christine moonlights at a boutique wine shop, where she edits marketing pieces and samples wine far higher than her pay grade.

    26 Christmas Casserole Recipes to Make in Your 13x9 Pan (2024)

    FAQs

    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

    Should casseroles be covered when baking? ›

    Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

    What does the binder of a casserole do? ›

    The binder, a liquid that holds the other ingredients together. – Fat-free milk, broth, fruit juice, soup, eggs, or a thickened Béchamel/White sauce.

    What binds a casserole together? ›

    The key to a good casserole is the sauce or broth that binds those ingredients together as they bubble in the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together into a harmonious, comforting meal. This can be something as simple as the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix used in this tasty Hamburger Casserole dish.

    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 are 5 components of a casserole? ›

    Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

    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.

    What is the purpose of using a water bath when baking? ›

    The hot water helps keep the temperature surrounding the food more consistent. This is particularly useful for recipes containing eggs, which can be quite temperamental in unmoderated temperatures. Delicate bakes using a custard or something similar (like cheesecake) will benefit greatly from the use of a water bath.

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

    It's not necessary in every case. There's a couple slow cooker stew recipes I've used where I think they just boost the aromatics and soy sauce to make up for any lost flavor from the skipped maillard process. Browning meat adds flavor. There is very rarely a recipe where you wouldn't want it.

    What goes first in a casserole? ›

    Meat know how

    If you coat it too early, the moisture in the meat absorbs the flour and spoils the texture of the casserole. Begin by browning the meat or chicken, separately, before adding vegetables, liquids and herbs. This seals in the juices and adds flavour.

    What are the essential ingredients of 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 the 3 main parts of a casserole? ›

    Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

    How can I improve my casserole flavor? ›

    Balance Flavors

    Casseroles can really shine when they achieve a harmonious balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, spicy, and acidic elements should blend well and complement each other. Add ingredients like caramelized onions, olives, or lemon zest to give your casserole a depth of flavor.

    Do you cook meat before putting it in a 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

    Why is the meat in my casserole tough? ›

    Now if your meat is tough after the stewing process, then there's a few things that might have gone wrong. Two options really, either it is really a poor cut of beef, or more likely it hasn't been cooked for long enough. Usually 3 hours in the oven in a casserole dish at 180C/350F should make any cut of beef tender.

    What are the key components of 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 the basics of a casserole? ›

    There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole.

    What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

    Top tips for casseroles
    1. Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. ...
    2. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish. ...
    3. Avoid adding flour after cooking or the raw flour taste will remain.

    What are the 4 parts of a casserole? ›

    Not every single casserole has all of them, but as a rule of thumb, here's what to look for: a starch, a binding agent or sauce, and a protein or vegetable. Many casseroles also have both vegetables and proteins, as well as a crunchy element to give some textural contrast, and cheese.

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