12 5-Star Casserole Recipes We Can't Stop Making

Party Potatoes - Southern Living
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Every family has their recipes. The ones you can count on everyone eating and requesting, whether it be weeknight dinner or holiday celebrations. And when you do find those family-favorite recipes, preparing meals can be so much more enjoyable. Everyone wins. We were on the hunt to highlight recipes that deliver all smiles and no (or very few!) complaints, so we decided to start with a dish that serves a crowd. Enter the casserole. Since there's no better rating than 5 stars, and no bigger critics than you, our readers, we pulled a dozen casserole recipes together with the highest ratings and hope you'll love them too.

01 of 12

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Comfort food at its most rich and satisfying. This recipe allows you to dig into the creamy, cheesiness of loaded baked potato in a casserole form. Reviewers loved this recipe, with one noting: "This was a hit for my brunch. Creamy, tasty and everyone loved it. I added garlic to it as we like garlic mashed potatoes. This is now a family favorite and a go to when having a group!"

02 of 12

Chicken Tamale Pie

Chicken Tamale Pie
Antonis Achilleos

Chicken tamale pie takes traditional tamales and adds a Southern twist. One reviewer said: "This was absolutely delicious. I’ve never made cornbread before... I added the cumin like others because I love it. Definitely will make it again."

03 of 12

Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

HECTOR SANCHEZ; STYLIST: BUFFY HARGETT

If you have a bounty of summer produce like squash and corn, this is the old-fashioned recipe to make. One reviewer shared: "My family absolutely raves about this casserole. I didn’t change a thing. It does take a bit of time to make, but worth every single minute. We eat a lot of squash in the summer and this recipe will be a favorite of ours for many years to come!"

04 of 12

Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon

Southern LIving Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon ready to serve

Alison Miksch, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Let's start with one of the rave reviews: "It was better than what I imagined...It only took me 20 minutes to prep and then the cooking time of 35 to 40 minutes. The most delicious baked mac & cheese I’ve had with bacon!"

This recipe, which can conveniently made ahead, is ooey, gooey. and extra cheesy thanks to the three varieties of cheeses used.

05 of 12

Party Potatoes

Party Potatoes - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Truth is, it's no party in the South without Party Potatoes. This casserole, which is great for making and taking, starts with hash browns and then the layers add on the robust flavors. One reviewer noted: "This recipe is one my family has made for years, we use diced frozen potatoes or tater tots, and cream of mushroom instead of chicken. It's a must have at our Thanksgiving AND Christmas dinners, and there is NEVER enough"

06 of 12

Croissant Breakfast Casserole

croissant breakfast casserole

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

While the buttery, flaky croissants take this breakfast casserole to the next level, the recipe includes caramelized onions, and a cheesy egg custard that is flavored with a touch of Dijon. The flavor can't be matched, and one reviewer shared: "Extremely tasty! The few leftovers we had reheated well, too--the croissants didn't get too soggy."

07 of 12

Cornbread Casserole

Southern Living Cornbread Casserole baked and ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sometimes simple can be the very best. Plus, this extra easy recipe can be made for any occasion. One reviewer raved: "Simple ingredients for a wonderful and satisfying dish."

08 of 12

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Does your family love chicken buffalo dip? If the answer is yes, then do not wait any longer to make this creamy, cheesy casserole. This surprising dish will delight family members of all ages. One reviewer said: "So easy and so delicious! This recipe will definitely be a go to staple in our house on busy nights."

09 of 12

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole Recipe

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Jennifer Davick

This very easy recipe will bring back cherished memories of summers with your grandparents. It's a great option for when you have a bounty of produce and need a quick, simple crowdpleaser. One reviewer raved: "Delicious! With a bounty of summer squash from my garden, I was looking for a new squash recipe to add to my rotation. This will definitely be included as a new favorite!"

10 of 12

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Southern Living Chicken Parmesan Casserole after baking ready to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Is chicken parmesan a family-favorite? If so, prepare to wow any weeknight dinner with this decadent spin that brings the classic dish to life in a comforting casserole.  "DELICIOUS. Whole family loved it," says one reviewer.

11 of 12

Beefy Nacho Casserole

Beefy Nacho Casserole
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck

Prepare to bring the most popular dish to the potluck. Cheese, crunchy tortilla chips, and ground beef are the key ingredients that make this casserole truly extraordinary. One happy reviewer noted: "This was amazing!! I will definitely make this again. My whole family loved it. I used crushed salsa tomatoes instead of salsa."

12 of 12

Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Fix it, freeze it, and pull out this comforting dish when the right occasion calls. What makes it so good? The layers of sauce, spinach, cheese, and chicken elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary. One loyal reader gives it a vote of confidence: "I've been making this since it was first published in SL YEARS ago. It is delicious!"

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