No matter when you were born, there's probably at least one casserole in your past that elicits waves of nostalgia. For many it's beloved macaroni and cheese, others recall existing on tuna casseroles during college, and for some, the ubiquitous green bean casserole is synonymous with nearly every holiday dinner. There's just something oddly comforting about combining a few select ingredients in a deep dish and baking it to create a mouthwatering meal.
One of the most appealing aspects of casseroles (besides the taste) is that they can be made ahead of time and popped into the oven whenever you want without compromising taste or texture. Another plus is that leftovers are typically even tastier than the first servings. This selection of winners features a range of ingredients and flavors to tantalize a wide range of palates.
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Tater tot bacon cheeseburger casserole
A juicy bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries is heaven to many people. But after a busy day, the energy to fulfill that craving is often waning. This make-ahead casserole is sure to satisfy those longings. The bechamel sauce hugging each morsel of potatoes and beef is especially satisfying. Get the recipe here.
A juicy bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries is heaven to many people. But after a busy day, the energy to fulfill that craving is often waning. This make-ahead casserole is sure to satisfy those longings. The bechamel sauce hugging each morsel of potatoes and beef is especially satisfying. Get the recipe here.
Enchilada pasta bake casserole
Sometimes a taste profile gets stuck in your head and you realize it just can't be denied. When you wake with Mexican flavors on your mind, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy. Green chiles, corn, and ground beef seasoned to perfection with taco seasoning and enchilada sauce in a creamy, cheesy sauce hits all the buttons. The flavors are even more satisfying after a few days of melding, so make a double batch to relive the experience at your leisure. Get the recipe here.
Sometimes a taste profile gets stuck in your head and you realize it just can't be denied. When you wake with Mexican flavors on your mind, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy. Green chiles, corn, and ground beef seasoned to perfection with taco seasoning and enchilada sauce in a creamy, cheesy sauce hits all the buttons. The flavors are even more satisfying after a few days of melding, so make a double batch to relive the experience at your leisure. Get the recipe here.
Beef stroganoff casserole
Beef stroganoff is a treat often reserved for special occasions based on prep time and cost. This casserole takes half the time to make and won't break your budget. Fresh mushrooms coupled with prepared mushroom stock packs that umami punch you love and a bit of Dijon mustard adds a subtle hint of acidity that makes all the flavors sing. Ground beef takes on a gourmet taste swathed in a velvety sour cream sauce that gently coats the egg noodles. Get the tutorial here.
Beef stroganoff is a treat often reserved for special occasions based on prep time and cost. This casserole takes half the time to make and won't break your budget. Fresh mushrooms coupled with prepared mushroom stock packs that umami punch you love and a bit of Dijon mustard adds a subtle hint of acidity that makes all the flavors sing. Ground beef takes on a gourmet taste swathed in a velvety sour cream sauce that gently coats the egg noodles. Get the tutorial here.
Make ahead mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes made from scratch make any meal memorable, but they take time you often don't have to spare. Make these scrumptious potatoes ahead of time, several batches at a time for freezing, and you'll always have that side dish everyone loves. The addition of sour cream, heavy cream and cream cheese add marvelous depth of flavor and a cheddar cheese topping is the crowning glory. Get the recipe here.
Mashed potatoes made from scratch make any meal memorable, but they take time you often don't have to spare. Make these scrumptious potatoes ahead of time, several batches at a time for freezing, and you'll always have that side dish everyone loves. The addition of sour cream, heavy cream and cream cheese add marvelous depth of flavor and a cheddar cheese topping is the crowning glory. Get the recipe here.
Ranch chicken pasta salad with Fritos
King Ranch Chicken casserole has been a dinnertime favorite in the Southwest for years. This recipe lightens it up by transforming it into a pasta salad. Canned tomatoes with green chiles, corn kernels, diced red onion, and green bell pepper create a colorful presentation and crushed chili cheese flavored corn chips added right before serving bring all the ingredients together for a delightful lunch or dinner entree. Get the recipe here.
King Ranch Chicken casserole has been a dinnertime favorite in the Southwest for years. This recipe lightens it up by transforming it into a pasta salad. Canned tomatoes with green chiles, corn kernels, diced red onion, and green bell pepper create a colorful presentation and crushed chili cheese flavored corn chips added right before serving bring all the ingredients together for a delightful lunch or dinner entree. Get the recipe here.
Hot chicken salad casserole
The crunch of fresh celery, green onions, water chestnuts and slivered almonds elevates the soft texture of the chicken to a delicious melt-in-your-mouth status. This meal comes together as quickly as the cold version, but topping it with cheddar cheese and crushed potato chips and baking until the sauce bubbles yields a dish that you'll add to your go-to make-ahead dinner list. Get the recipe here.
The crunch of fresh celery, green onions, water chestnuts and slivered almonds elevates the soft texture of the chicken to a delicious melt-in-your-mouth status. This meal comes together as quickly as the cold version, but topping it with cheddar cheese and crushed potato chips and baking until the sauce bubbles yields a dish that you'll add to your go-to make-ahead dinner list. Get the recipe here.
Broccoli and rice casserole
Broccoli with cheddar cheese sauce is a classic and often the way many parents goad their children into eating broccoli, a healthy vegetable. Mixing these two ingredients with rice and upping the cheesiness with goat and Parmesan cheeses converts a simple side dish into a superb supper entree. You can always experiment with your favorite cheeses to alter the flavor but be sure to choose types that are creamy and easily melted. Get the recipe here.
Broccoli with cheddar cheese sauce is a classic and often the way many parents goad their children into eating broccoli, a healthy vegetable. Mixing these two ingredients with rice and upping the cheesiness with goat and Parmesan cheeses converts a simple side dish into a superb supper entree. You can always experiment with your favorite cheeses to alter the flavor but be sure to choose types that are creamy and easily melted. Get the recipe here.
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