Not Your Grandma’s Casserole: 29 Modern Casserole Recipes (2024)

If you can fit it all in one dish, call it a casserole. The beloved retro dinner that touched the hearts of housewives across America is back in a big way. We have 29 revamped one-pot meals that will not only have your taste buds reeling for more, but they’ll save you time and effort too. Go ahead, put some lovin’ in your oven and dub yourself a casserole queen. All you need is a well-stocked pantry, a nifty casserole dish and hungry mouths to please.

1. Tuna Noodle Casserole: It’s the quintessential casserole that every grandma knows how to make. No need to check cream of mushroom soup off your shopping list, ’cause we’re classing things up with a porcini cheese sauce. But don’t despair, it’s still topped with crushed potato chips. (via NPR)

2. Bacon Topped Green Bean Casserole: Talk about an upgrade! Green bean casserole goes from classic to sophisticated, studded with cremini mushrooms, chopped bacon and fresh rosemary. (via BHG)

3. Truffled Mac and Cheese: As if macaroni and cheese wasn’t decadent enough, topping it all off with truffle oil makes this casserole fit for a king. (via Williams Sonoma)

4. Biscuit Pot Pie: Turn away from the frozen food section, grab your trusty casserole dish and create the ultimate in comfort food. (via Damn Delicious)

5. Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie: French lentils, meaty mushrooms and fresh veggies all blanketed under a pillow of mashed potatoes — really, who needs meat? (via Bon Appétit)

6. Creamy Caprese Quinoa Bake: We don’t think that Nonna would’ve come up with this caprese salad spin-off — but we’re sure she’d approve. (via Half Baked Harvest)

7. Tomato Cobbler With Blue Cheese Biscuits: Dessert for dinner? Not really. Here’s a savory cobbler made from garden fresh tomatoes and creamy blue cheese biscuits. (via 128 John St.)

8. Gumbo-laya: Check out this mashup: Gumbo meets jambalaya! Bold, spicy and fit for a casserole dish. (via The Cozy Apron)

9. Duck Confit Casserole: The legendary southern French casserole doesn’t have to take all day. Try this fuss-free but still pretty darn impressive feat of duck confit! (via Bon Appétit)

10. Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole: Can it get much better than this? We’re talkin’ buffalo wings, blue cheese and tater tots. No wet wipes or dipping sauce required! (via The Black Peppercorn)

11. Pierogi Lasagna: Italian lasagna is morphed into a Polish household staple. And it sure beats frying up numerous dumplings for a crowd. (via Parade)

12. Pepperoni Pizza Casserole: They had us at pizza. Ooey gooey cheese, tangy tomato sauce and spicy pepperoni all baked together = simply genius. (via The Chic Site)

13. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole: No toothpicks, rolling or pounding necessary, viola. (via Creole Contessa)

14. Reuben Casserole: Layers of corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and gooey Swiss cheese all piled up. Grab a fork. Dig in. (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)

15. Samosa Pie: Turn India’s renowned, fried, bite-sized, potato-y morsel into an entire pie, enclosed in a flaky crust. (via Foodess)

16. Cheesy Black Bean and Quinoa Bake: Who doesn’t love tacos? Shock taco lovers with a surprising twist: No meat (gasp!), just some awesome-ly kicked up quinoa. (via Half Baked Harvest)

17. Butternut Squash, Apple and Potato Gratin With Cheddar Crumb Topping: Spice up your traditional squash casserole with a powerhouse of fall flavors. Apples, cider and squash lend a hint of sweetness as a tasty contrast to savory potatoes, thyme and cheddar cheese. (via Tracy’s Culinary Adventures)

18. Pumpkin Maple Baked Bean Cornbread Casserole: Want to be the most popular person at the Thanksgiving dining table… or any table for that matter? Bring this! (via Oh She Glows)

19. Chilaquiles Casserole: Brunch fare with a Latin flair, it’s the ever popular combo of tortillas bathed in a tomatillo sauce and topped with plenty of cheese. Don’t forget to pass the salsa. (via Sweet Life)

20. French Toast Casserole With Maple Syrup: Whip up a crowd favorite and have plenty of napkins to pass around the brunch table. (via Food Network)

21. Eggs Benedict Casserole: No need to slave over a hot stove for all eight of your brunch guests, serve ’em Eggs Benedict, casserole style. (via Chew Out Loud)

22. Sun Dried Tomato, Basil and Goat Cheese Breakfast Casserole: Seriously, you could eat this morning, noon or night. (via Belle of the Kitchen)

23. Baked Blueberry and Banana Oatmeal: Bursting with plump blueberries and sweet bananas, there’s no need to mask this oatmeal in spoonfuls of brown sugar. (via Blissfully Delicious)

24. California Avocado Breakfast Casserole: Take your everyday hash browns and head westward, topping them with ripe avocados. (via Dine and Dish)

25. Pecan Peach Cobbler: There’s probably no need to mention that cobbler goes well with vanilla ice cream, but just in case… you are now in the know. (via My Recipes)

26. Nutella Bread Pudding: It’s so good you might cry over it. (via Dominick Costa)

27. S’more Cobbler: Yeah, basically you’re going to want some more of this dessert. (via Created by Diane)

28. The Best Apple Crisp: There should be a law against this, it’s that good. We’re talkin’ warm apples, melted brown butter, vanilla bean, a bite of bourbon and please, don’t forget to make this a la mode. (via Ambitious Kitchen)

29. Strawberry Pretzel Salad: Now here’s a blast from the past. They call it a salad but really it’s salty, sweet goodness in a casserole dish. (via Creative Culinary)

Okay casserole queens, give us the dish on what one-pot wonders you’re cooking in your kitchen in the comments below!

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Michelle Swift

Michelle Swift is a freelance writer and blogs on michelleswift.com. She has an affinity for running, culinary eats, travel and sparkly gold things. People and adventure light her up like a hot pink neon sign!

Not Your Grandma’s Casserole: 29 Modern Casserole Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is John Wayne casserole called that? ›

That's right, the iconic John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the actor himself. Typically, you'll find that most recipes call for refrigerated biscuits or Bisquick, onions, red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and Cheddar cheese.

What is the oldest known casserole? ›

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

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

What is Jackie Kennedy casserole? ›

A seemingly simple, tender noodle dish with plenty of cheesy, tangy flavor, and the refreshing garden sharpness of chives, Jackie Kennedy's Special Casserole is delicate and hearty at the same time, heartwarmingly homemade yet delightfully classic. You'll love every minute this is on your plate!

What do British people call casserole? ›

' In the UK, the terms casserole and stew tend to be used interchangeably, although some distinguish them by saying stews are cooked on a stovetop while casseroles are cooked in an oven.

What do they call a casserole in Minnesota? ›

The term “hot dish” first appeared in a cookbook in 1930 by a Mankato, Minnesota church group called Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. Also, a fun fact, in the 1950s, Ore-Ida needed a way to use leftover potato scraps, and thus behold came the tator tot. They marketed them as a topping for casseroles and they really took off.

What is the oldest dish still eaten? ›

The World's 10 Oldest Dishes And Where They Are Today
  • Indian curry, circa 2200-2500 B.C. ...
  • Pancakes, circa 11650 B.C. ...
  • Linzer Torte, circa 1653. ...
  • Tamales, circa 5000 B.C. ...
  • Burgers, circa 100 century A.D. ...
  • Mesopotamian Stew, circa 2140 B.C., and bone broth, circa 400 B.C. ...
  • Rice dishes, circa 4530 B.C. ...
  • Beer, circa 3500 B.C.
Sep 2, 2023

Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

2. Cover dishes. 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.

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.

Do you cook the meat first for a casserole? ›

Always Cook Meat Before Adding

Don't add raw meat to a casserole. Cooking the meat before adding it, or using up leftover cooked meat in a casserole, is the way to go.

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 the 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!

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 did casserole get its name? ›

The word casserole is derived from a French word that means 'saucepan'. Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

Why did John Wayne choose that name? ›

For his screen name, Walsh suggested "Anthony Wayne", after Revolutionary War General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. Fox Studios chief Winfield Sheehan rejected it as sounding "too Italian". Walsh then suggested "John Wayne". Sheehan agreed, and the name was set.

What is John Wayne slang for? ›

[John Wayne n. 1 ] (US) to act decisively, daringly, in an aggressive manner; often in ironic use. J. Wambaugh Blue Knight 161: Nothing I like better than John Wayne-ing a goddam door.

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