20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (2024)

Home Recipes Casseroles

20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (1)Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Feb. 14, 2024

    Southern grandmas seem to know the best comforting dishes to make and these Southern casserole recipes are definitely some of their best!

    1/19

    Chicken Potpie Casserole

    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

    Go to Recipe

    2/19

    Vegetable Beef Casserole

    This easy one-dish recipe has been a family favorite ever since my husband's aunt handed it down to me decades ago. Try using whatever vegetables you have on hand. A simple salad goes nicely with this entree. —Evangeline Rew, Manassas, Virginia

    Go to Recipe

    3/19

    Taste of Home

    Easy Cheesy Loaded Grits

    A tasty bowl of grits inspired me to develop my own recipe with sausage, green chiles and cheeses. It just might be better than the original. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    4/19

    Coconut-Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

    What is it about sweet potatoes that unnerve some people? For those who firmly state they hate a yam because of the color or texture, the rich addition of coconut, bourbon and spices might just win them over. —Rebecca Anderson, Driftwood, Texas

    5/19

    Taste of Home

    Hot Brown Turkey Casserole

    If you've ever tried the Hot Brown Sandwich at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, you'll love this version. It can be assembled ahead and refrigerated; just adjust baking time accordingly if cold. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    6/19

    Taste of Home

    Chicken and Rice Casserole

    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

    Go to Recipe

    7/19

    Loaded Red Potato Casserole

    This potato casserole has the same flavor of the potato skins you can order as a restaurant appetizer. It's an ideal dish for tailgating and potlucks. —Charlane Gathy, Lexington, Kentucky

    Go to Recipe

    8/19

    Cranberry-Apple French Toast

    My husband's breakfast club at work raves about this make-ahead French toast. Pop it in the oven in the morning to get your day off to a sweet, bubbly start. —Mara Faulkner, Martinsburg, West Virginia

    Go to Recipe

    9/19

    Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

    My husband is a meat and potatoes guy, so I try new combinations for variety. In this dish, twice-baked potatoes and potato skins make a scrumptious casserole. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

    Go to Recipe

    10/19

    Blend of the Bayou

    My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me when I first moved here. It's been handed down in my husband's family for generations. It's quick to prepare, nutritious and flavorful. I've passed it on to my children too.—Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

    Go to Recipe

    11/19

    Taste of Home

    Breakfast Burrito Casserole

    A friend gave me this burrito casserole recipe and I modified it to fit our family. It's perfect for a brunch, because you can prep it the night before and bake it the next morning. —Krista Yoder, Due West, South Carolina

    Go to Recipe

    12/19

    Taste of Home

    In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

    Go to Recipe

    13/19

    New Orleans-Style Scalloped Corn

    This colorful casserole is very popular among family gatherings in many New Orleans homes. I started making it years ago, and now my sons include it in their menus.—Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

    Go to Recipe

    14/19

    Cornbread Chicken Bake

    To make the most of leftover cornbread, try this hearty main dish casserole. It's moist, delicious and good on any occasion. —Madge Britton, Afton, Tennessee

    Go to Recipe

    15/19

    Calico Squash Casserole

    I love to try out different recipes for the squash I grow in my garden. It's fun to bring this beautiful casserole to potlucks because I know it'll go fast. Even the little ones like it. —Lucille Terry, Frankfort, Kentucky

    Go to Recipe

    16/19

    Taste of Home

    Chili Beef Cornbread Casserole

    This recipe is my potluck standby. And when I hear that someone may need a comforting home-cooked meal, I bring them this casserole. —Lorraine Espenhain, Corpus Christi, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    17/19

    Taste of Home

    Chiles Rellenos Breakfast Bake

    My family loves anything with a Southwestern flavor, so I turned classic chiles rellenos into a breakfast casserole. They became fans in an instant. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    18/19

    19/19

    Taste of Home

    Pepper Jack Hash Brown Casserole

    I found myself in need of an impromptu potato dish, but I had no potatoes. Frozen hash browns and the plethora of cheeses I had in the freezer offered me the solution to my side-dish dilemma. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: March 05, 2020

    20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (20)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (2024)

    FAQs

    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.

    Are casseroles popular in the south? ›

    Southerners just love a good casserole. They strum a chord of comfort that resonates back to times in our lives that seemed simpler and more carefree.

    What do Americans call a casserole? ›

    In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

    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.

    How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

    Fresh herbs or citrus zest can also punch up flavors with a bit of welcome brightness for a long-cooked dish, as can adding some heat in the form of a dash of hot sauce, a generous pinch of minced or sliced fresh chili pepper, or a shake of red pepper flakes.

    Should you cook meat before putting in casserole? ›

    With this in mind, be sure to choose a dish that is the correct size for your ingredients.
    1. Par Cook Pasta and Vegetables. A common issue with casseroles is soggy overcooked pasta or vegetable components. ...
    2. Always Cook Meat Before Adding. Don't add raw meat to a casserole. ...
    3. Let It Rest.
    Mar 2, 2023

    What is a fancy word for casserole? ›

    Sense: Food

    Synonyms: one-dish meal, covered dish, loaf , gratin, hot pot, hotchpotch, cassoulet, timbale, terrine, meat pie, lasagna, lasagne, moussaka, tagine, hash , stew , bake , pie , one-pot dish, food.

    What do Italians call casserole? ›

    casseruola. an earthenware casserole. the food cooked in a casserole. (cibo cotto in casseruola)

    What was the first casserole? ›

    The first popular meals included French cassoulet, British pot pies, Italian lasagna, and Greek moussaka. Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

    Do you bake casseroles covered or uncovered? ›

    Generally, casseroles with grains, rice or pasta that will cook during the baking process are usually covered, for at least part of the time. Casseroles made of cooked ingredients are usually baked uncovered. If you like a crisper, browner top, be sure the casserole is uncovered for at least part of the bake time.

    Why do casseroles have to sit overnight? ›

    Casseroles are at their best when the ingredients are able to meld, which is why they often taste even better the second day.

    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.

    What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

    According to food blog High Heeled Homemaker, your basic casserole requires five ingredients: a protein, starch, vegetable, sauce, and cheese. If you have those five ingredients in your casserole dish, congratulations; you just made a casserole, whether it's a beloved recipe or a concoction of your own creation.

    What are the basics of a casserole? ›

    There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole. It isn't going to be the most flavorful part of the dish, but it is what will make the casserole filling and satisfying.

    What are three guidelines to follow when preparing casseroles? ›

    Top tips for casseroles

    Cut your ingredients, such as meat, potatoes and parsnips, into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Add any ingredients that cook quickly, such as broad beans, towards the end of cooking. To save time – and washing up – use a flameproof, ovenproof casserole dish.

    What are 3 possible advantages to preparing your own casseroles? ›

    Why You Should Be Cooking More Casseroles
    1. They're versatile. For every set of tastebuds, there's a casserole to match. ...
    2. They can be nutritious. ...
    3. They're easy, from prep through cleanup. ...
    4. They feed a crowd. ...
    5. They're transportable and gift-able.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Duane Harber

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5692

    Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

    Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Duane Harber

    Birthday: 1999-10-17

    Address: Apt. 404 9899 Magnolia Roads, Port Royceville, ID 78186

    Phone: +186911129794335

    Job: Human Hospitality Planner

    Hobby: Listening to music, Orienteering, Knapping, Dance, Mountain biking, Fishing, Pottery

    Introduction: My name is Duane Harber, I am a modern, clever, handsome, fair, agreeable, inexpensive, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.