30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (2024)

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30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (1)

BySue Stetzel

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Jan. 30, 2024

    These delicious holiday casseroles will keep your family happy all season. Make two and give the gift of a comforting meal.

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    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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    2/30

    Spinach-Parm Casserole

    For those who ignore Popeye and won’t eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

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    3/30

    I know dried cranberries may seem like an odd ingredient to include in this dish, but they add just a hint of sweetness that makes an easy Christmas casserole so special. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

    4/30

    Cordon Bleu Casserole

    I often roast a turkey just to have leftovers for this creamy cordon bleu casserole. It makes for a pretty presentation at potluck dinners.—Joyce Paul, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan

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    5/30

    Mostaccioli

    Even though we're not Italian, this rich, cheesy pasta dish is a family tradition for holidays and other special occasions. It tastes just like lasagna without the layering work. —Nancy Mundhenke, Kinsley, Kansas

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    6/30

    Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

    Creamy, cheesy and loaded with bacon, this comforting casserole immediately makes guests feel at home. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

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    7/30

    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

    8/30

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    My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

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    9/30

    Apple-Stuffed French Toast Bake

    This is baked stuffed french toast casserole a great breakfast dish to make ahead for holidays or Sunday brunch. I run a bed and breakfast and tea room cafe, and this recipe is often requested by customers. —Kay Clark, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

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    10/30

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    Fiesta Breakfast Bake

    I get a kick out of making breakfast for a crowd when I have weekend guests, and my family also loves breakfast for dinner. I created this dish by combining my family's favorite southwestern flavors in an all-in-one-pan recipe.—Whitney Gilbert, Smithville, Missouri

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    11/30

    Taste of Home

    Savory Roasted Carrots with Mushrooms

    You’ll need only 10 minutes to get these savory veggies ready for the oven. Then just stir them a few times during roasting, and you’re done. It’s a busy cook’s dream!—Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

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    12/30

    Classic Cabbage Rolls

    I've always enjoyed cabbage rolls but didn't make them since most methods were too complicated. This recipe is fairly simple and results in the best cabbage rolls. My husband, Sid, requests them often. They're terrific to share at gatherings with our children and grandchildren. —Beverly Zehner, McMinnville, Oregon

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    13/30

    Taste of Home

    Italian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole

    My mother and I made a few small changes to a recipe we found in a cookbook to create this comforting side dish. We increased the vegetable count and tossed in some seasonings to take the flavor up a notch. It's definitely not your average green bean casserole. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana

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    14/30

    This savory dish is the perfect excuse to have bread pudding as the main meal, not merely afterward as dessert. — Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia

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    15/30

    Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast

    My friend makes this French toast bake with blueberries, but I make mine with cranberry sauce. Either way, it’s divine. It makes a great brunch dish for Christmas morning. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

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    16/30

    My family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana

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    17/30

    This time of year, I can't resist butternut squash, with its bright color and fall flavor. It helps make this casserole a guaranteed hit at potlucks. —Craig Simpson, Savannah, Georgia

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    18/30

    Hash Brown Pancetta Casserole

    Eggs, hash browns, cheese, spinach, pancetta and fabulous flavor—this casserole has everything! You could also substitute provolone or Swiss cheese for the fontina. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

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    19/30

    Eggnog Sweet Potato Bake

    I love eggnog so I am always looking for new ways to use it. When I added it to mashed sweet potatoes I knew I had a winner. You can make this the night before and refrigerate it unbaked; the next day, let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. It’s an easy Christmas eve recipe idea. —Katie Wollgast, Florissant, Missouri

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    20/30

    Taste of Home

    Cranberry Cornmeal Dressing

    This moist dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. The sweet-tart flavor of the dried cranberries really complements the dish's turkey sausage. —Corinne Portteus, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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    21/30

    Italian Pasta Bake

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

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    22/30

    Elegant Green Beans

    Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to the ordinary green bean casserole. Every time I make it for friends, I'm asked to share the recipe. —Linda Poe, Sandstone, Minnesota

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    23/30

    Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Vodka Sauce

    I originally invented this scrumptious dish to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday, and it has since become a quick and easy family favorite. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas

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    24/30

    Colorful Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

    When we have houseguests, we make broccoli and cheese strata the night before so in the morning we can relax and visit while it bubbles in the oven. —Gale Lalmond, Deering, New Hampshire

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    25/30

    Mixed Berry French Toast Bake

    I love this recipe! It's perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or laid-back company—utterly delicious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine

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    26/30

    Brussels Sprouts au Gratin

    In our house, Brussels sprouts have always been sought after. When I topped them with a creamy sauce, Swiss cheese and bread crumbs, it became a new holiday dinner tradition. —Gwen Gregory, Rio Oso, California

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    27/30

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    Vegetable Barley Bake

    Forget the potatoes and rice, and consider this change-of-pace dinner accompaniment. Wholesome barley makes for a heart-smart dish that complements just about any main course and other sides, too. —Shirley Doyle, Mount Prospect, Illinois

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    28/30

    Pasta fa*gioli al Forno

    The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois

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    29/30

    When my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight. I couldn't conveniently fry eggs for that many people, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work, too. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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    30/30

    Originally Published: November 17, 2017

    Author

    Sue Stetzel

    Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.

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    30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (30)

    30 Holly Jolly Holiday Casserole Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    Do casseroles cook faster covered or uncovered? ›

    Then, as the heat from the pot cooks the food, the heat passes into the air, creating steam. That steam is hot, and that heat goes out of your kitchen exhaust as waste. But when you put a lid on, the heat stays in the pot. It helps cook your food faster.

    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

    Is it better to cook casserole the day before or? ›

    Putting a casserole together a day or so before baking ensures that everything is ready to go when dinner time rolls around. That means no rushing at the last minute. Along with greater convenience, making a casserole ahead of time also results in a richer, deeper taste.

    Do you cover a casserole with foil when baking? ›

    The best way to bake a casserole can depend on the specific recipe you are using, but generally speaking, covering the casserole with foil for part of the cooking time can help the food cook evenly and prevent it from drying out.

    How long should a casserole be in the oven 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.

    Do casseroles cook faster in glass or metal? ›

    Heats up quickly and cools quickly: A metal baking pan heats up quickly in a hot oven, as metal is an excellent conductor of heat. Bakes more slowly than glass: Interestingly enough, however, metal pans bake things more slowly than glass pans do.

    Can you put raw meat in 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. DeLeeuw says this is important for food safety because it makes sure the protein is fully cooked—especially key when making a chicken casserole.

    Should you cook meat before putting in casserole? ›

    Begin by browning the meat or chicken, separately, before adding vegetables, liquids and herbs. This seals in the juices and adds flavour. Work in batches when browning meat or chicken. If you add too much to the pan at once, it will cook in its own juices and become tough.

    What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

    Casserole basics
    1. Batch work. Brown the meat in batches to avoid cooking it in its own juices. ...
    2. Burn alert. Be careful not to burn the bottom of the pan when you brown the meat, or your casserole will have a burnt taste.
    3. Liquid loving. ...
    4. Size it up. ...
    5. Vegie rules. ...
    6. Thick tricks. ...
    7. Make it ahead.

    Do you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

    Uncovering the foods promotes browning and crisping, and reduces the amount of liquid in the finished dish. If a casserole looks soupy when it's ready to bake, bake it uncovered unless the ingredients include pasta or rice, which absorb liquid.

    Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

    Using Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables should be steamed or cooked until softened before adding them in. (Not too cooked through, but about 90% of the way.) Crispy Fried Onions make a great alternative topping option as well!

    Why put foil on casserole dish? ›

    It protects your food from drying out or burning and helps keep in the heat and moisture, ensuring a perfectly cooked meal. Loosely covering your dish with foil can prevent uneven browning while baking. However, tightly sealing your bakeware with foil is the way to go for more steam.

    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.

    What temperature do you cook a casserole at? ›

    A shallower casserole can take a higher temp and shorter baking time; but if your casserole is a deep one or contains raw vegetables and protein, aim for a slightly longer time and lower temp cook. When in doubt, 350 degrees F is your best friend.

    What temperature do you bake a casserole? ›

    Casseroles should be baked in a moderately hot oven

    But too hot, and it won't cook evenly without some parts of it scorching first, according to KitchenSeer. A great rule of thumb, the site states, is to bake a casserole above 300 degrees F and below 400 degrees F: 350 degrees F is a great sweet spot.

    Does covering a casserole with foil make it cook faster? ›

    How covering a casserole helps it cook. The primary reason for covering a casserole as it bakes is to trap moisture inside the dish. This will not only keep the casserole itself moist, but it will also help get the casserole up to cooking temperature.

    Do things cook faster with or without foil? ›

    Wrapping foil packet dinners

    They trap moisture and flavor, making cooking faster and more efficient.

    Should you put a lid on a casserole? ›

    A tight-fitting lid on your casserole dish ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the long cooking process.

    Does meat cook faster with the lid on? ›

    Everything cooks faster with the lid on, because the lid captures steam which contributes to the cooking. You may or may not want your meat cooked with steam, though. If you are searing the meat, don't put the lid on.

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