26 Classic Casseroles That’ll Take You Back

Sue Stetzel

By Sue Stetzel

Updated on Apr. 25, 2024

One bite of these tried-and-true casseroles and you'll feel like a kid again.

1/26

Over-the-Top Mac 'n' Cheese

Contest Winner
Total Time:55 min
Servings:7
From the Recipe Creator: This delicious dish is the ultimate comfort food. A blend of five cheeses, it makes a beautiful entree or a special side. I served it at our Thanksgiving dinner, and it received rave reviews. —Connie L McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 585 calories, 33g fat (20g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 550mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein.
2/26

Mozzarella Baked Spaghetti

Total Time:50 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This satisfying easy baked spaghetti recipe comes together and will please everyone at your table. Add a salad and breadsticks, and dinner's done. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 286 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.
3/26

Haystack Meal

Total Time:25 min
Servings:2 casseroles (6 each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Served as the main dish at our family reunion buffet, this flavorful layered taco-style dish was a true crowd-pleaser. Folks were pleasantly surprised to find a rice layer, and everyone enjoys the creamy cheese sauce. —Jill Steiner, Hancock, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 888 calories, 55g fat (24g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 1746mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 41g protein.
4/26

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Everyone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 439 calories, 26g fat (5g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 804mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
5/26

Chicken Potpie Casserole

Contest Winner
Total Time:55 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use it for many things, including this comforting family favorite. You can bake your own biscuits as I do or buy them at the store. I like to bake extra biscuits to eat with butter and jam. —Liliane Jahnke, Cypress, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 488 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 910mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.
6/26
7/26

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Total Time:50 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 359 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1007mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
8/26

Beef Noodle Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When I was working on the local election board in the '50s, one of my co-workers gave me this recipe, and it has been a family favorite ever since. It's quick to make for unexpected company or easily doubled for a potluck.—Mary Hinman, Escondido, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 436 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
9/26

Cheesy Chicken ‘n’ Shells

Total Time:45 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When our friend served us this entree, I asked her for the recipe right away. It was so good, I thought I would share it with others. I cut the recipe down for a meal or two, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. —Jodee Harding, Mount Vernon, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 429 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1304mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
10/26

Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
From the Recipe Creator: This is my Grandma Ostendorf's corn recipe I grew up enjoying. Now a grandmother myself, I still serve this comfy, delicious side as a family classic. —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 258 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
11/26

Macaroni and Beef

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: I found this simple skillet recipe many years ago on a can label. I made some tweaks, and my family loved it. Because it's so easy to put together, it's a real timesaver for people with super busy schedules. —Maxine Neuhauser, Arcadia, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 317 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
12/26

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 5 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Bring the taste of Cracker Barrel right to your kitchen. This cheesy breakfast casserole is made easy with frozen hash browns. I can feed a crowd with this simple overnight dish. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 342 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
13/26

Tuna Broccoli Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 35 min
Servings:8
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: When I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my family away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 271 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
14/26

The Best Shepherd’s Pie

Total Time:30 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 472 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
15/26
16/26

Light Chicken and Broccoli Bake

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Cheesy chicken and broccoli bakes are the ultimate comfort food, but I wanted to give the classic casserole a healthier spin. Mine cuts down on fat and calories, but keeps the same cozy flavor. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 274 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 139mg cholesterol, 667mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
17/26

Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Total Time:5 hours 50 min
Servings:5
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Shepherd's pie is to the British as meat loaf is to Americans, so when I was a young child living in the U.K., I had it almost once a week. This is my go-to recipe when I'm longing for the sights and smells of my mother's kitchen. Turns out people here love it just as much! —Mari Sitkiewicz, Downers Grove, Illinois
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 483 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein.
18/26

Slow-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole

Total Time:4 hours 25 min
Servings:10
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: We tweaked this family-friendly classic to work for the slow cooker. It's easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 393 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
19/26

Chicken Potpie

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:2 potpies (8 each)
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
20/26

Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

Total Time:1 hour
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: This creamy tetrazzini has been one of my favorite recipes for over 20 years. I always hear, "Yum. Is there any more?" Even overnight guests ask for leftovers the next day! —Amanda Hertz-Crisel, Eagle Point, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 665 calories, 37g fat (19g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 871mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein.
21/26

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

Total Time:6 hours 25 min
Servings:12
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: What's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole—especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing potluck favorite to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 383 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.
22/26

Stovetop Cheeseburger Pasta

Total Time:30 min
Servings:8
From the Recipe Creator: Cheeseburgers are delicious in any form, but I'm partial to this creamy pasta dish that seriously tastes just like the real thing. It's weeknight comfort in a bowl. —Tracy Avis, Peterborough, Ontario
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 616 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 727mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
23/26

Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole

Total Time:1 hour 20 min
Servings:12
From the Recipe Creator: Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 301 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
24/26

Pizza Noodle Bake

Total Time:40 min
Servings:6
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 644 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 43g protein.
25/26

Crescent Turkey Casserole

Total Time:30 min
Servings:4
Test Kitchen Approved
From the Recipe Creator: How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 453 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 671mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.
26/26

German Noodle Bake

Total Time:1 hour 15 min
Servings:8
From the Recipe Creator: This is a recipe I serve each year for my holiday open house because everyone looks for it. Store-bought noodles can be substituted, but I prefer homemade noodles...and so does everyone else. —Kathleen Meineke, Cologne, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 275 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 453mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.