Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Just a whiff of a retro recipe can instantly take you back years, even decades. That's certainly the case with a vintage-style casserole. The aroma of those creamy, cheesy, crunchy bakes isn't something we can forget, nor do we want to. So, we keep on making them. No matter the occasion—congratulations and condolences, service and comfort—a casserole says the same thing: Here you go, you deserve this. Those same easy casseroles also make up the bulk of our quick-fix, crowd-pleasing suppers, offering hearty deliciousness in a pinch. We grew up on these vintage casserole dishes and, if you're from the South, we'd be willing to bet that you did, too. Divided Dinner Plates
Whether they're served at Sunday dinner or on the holiday sideboard, these vintage casserole recipes will always leave a Southern crowd full and happy. From our Cowboy Casserole to our Old-School Squash Casserole, these retro casserole recipes aren't going anywhere. (Thank goodness.)
Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
How do you know this recipe is an old-fashioned friend? Hard-boiled eggs. You don't see those in the creamy filling as much anymore, do you? Frozen vegetables and a refrigerated pie crust will make this comforting meal easier to prepare.
At the center of any Southern spread, you'll find this beauty: a creamy, crunchy, cheesy, buttery casserole filled with bright yellow squash. Crushed Ritz crackers serve their time-honored role as a crisp topping.
Brittany Conerly; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin
This might be the original family-friendly casserole, but it's also one that even a fancy Frances will love. It's delightfully packed with chicken, pasta, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. Tetrazzini can be served hot out of the oven or frozen to save for the next busy weeknight.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
For generations, your relations in Tennessee baked this casserole for special occasions. Now it's your turn. Onions are truly the star of this cheesy recipe that calls for 2 1/2 pounds of a sweet variety.
Prep this crowd-pleasing family casserole over the weekend and pop it in the freezer until the night before you're ready to serve. Add a salad and garlic bread and you're set.
Pineapple what? We're making a case to bring back this unexpected Easter classic. (If your family doesn't already still make it.) Especially since it requires just six ingredients and no stove-top cooking.
We know why this lasagna recipe is forever a reader favorite: It has only five ingredients. Five! When we say easy, we mean it.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
You’ll love this souped-up cinnamon apple cobbler. Much like pineapple casserole, it has a crunchy cracker topping and a layer of gooey Cheddar. You'll know the casserole is ready to come out of the oven when the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Trade coleslaw for this warm, comforting dish and its crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Cabbage and onions mingle with a little Worcestershire sauce for a barbecue flavor, so don't hesitate to serve this at the cookout.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
In a sea of chicken casseroles, this spaghetti bake might be the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The old-school recipe with chopped veggies and cream of mushroom soup transports us back to family meals around the dinner table.
This side dish doesn't only belong to the holiday season. With eight ingredients and very little hands-on time, the recipe shows that simple is sometimes better. If you're feeling adventurous, give it a Southwestern touch with a can of chiles and ground cumin.
We'd hate to mess with a good thing, and this old-school casserole is just that. From the frozen French-cut green beans to the crispy fried onion topping, it's a familiar sight on every supper table.
There are few things that belong together as much as chicken and rice. Romeo and Juliet? Johnny and June? This recipe gets a special crunch from water chestnuts.
Shrimp and grits itself is a well-loved vintage recipe, so a casserole of it must be vintage by proxy—and no less delicious, we assure you. The best part is the extra shrimp gravy, which you should serve in a pitcher on the side.
This grandma-approved casserole features a rich, filling, sausage and cheese mixture with plenty of black-eyed peas. You can substitute any field pea you like, from Lady Cream to Pinkeye.
We're still not sure why it's called "scalloped corn," but we dare to call this dish timeless comfort food at its finest. Creamy corn, crisp crumb topping, and melty cheese just seal the deal.
Name any spread, and a broccoli-and-cheese casserole will fit right in, guaranteed. This version uses fresh broccoli and a mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise in lieu of cream of mushroom soup.
Egg noodles, baked ham, and cream of mushroom soup make a tasty trio alongside veggies like broccoli, carrots, and asparagus. We first printed this recipe in 2001, and it's still good today.
This Southern breakfast staple is even more delicious in a casserole dish—and ready to fill up a hungry family on any morning. Using frozen biscuits saves so much extra time.
Is there a world where this classic doesn't belong on the list? Macaroni and cheese is our version of comfort in a casserole dish. You'll find nothing but the basics here—five ingredients plus seasonings—and that's the way we like it.
Say hello to the fluffier version of cornbread. This holiday favorite is a cross between a skillet of hot cornbread, a cornmeal soufflé, and cornbread dressing. Spoon bread is an old Southern delicacy that we wish we'd see a whole lot more.
They knew what they were doing when creating this perfect Italian casserole. The secret is in the sauce, literally, in this recipe: a tomato blend with pancetta, dry red wine, and ground sausage.
Deep-fried okra will always please, but the vegetable is more versatile than you might think. Soups, stews, and yes, casseroles all love it. Here, okra meets sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs. This is a recipe you'll want to pass down.
Sloppy Joes really slather on the nostalgia. Let the childhood classic come back with a modern spin. This pasta bake version has that sweet-savory blend of sauce and ground beef you know and love.
Don't be misled by the term "new." This update on a tried-and-true classic has lots of fresh ingredients and no cream of mushroom soup, but still hits all of the creamy, cheesy, and crunchy notes of the original.
Yep, we went there. Imagine all the makings of a fantastic cheeseburger in a casserole filling, before being topped with tater tots, bacon, and cheese. No patty-flipping required.
The hearty beef dinner we all know and love just got a baking dish-friendly makeover that tastes like a homey version of shepherd's pie. Worcestershire and tomato sauces give it the flavor of an old-fashioned meatloaf.
Any casserole topped with tater tots is a friend of ours, and this one is filled with a savory blend of beef, beans, corn, and cheese. Chiles, taco seasoning, and hot sauce give it some heat.
Nothing beats a full-fledged Tex-Mex casserole. This one will save you some time and effort compared to traditional enchiladas, with just 30 minutes of hands-on time. Layers of corn tortillas, cheese, and chicken make this recipe an easy favorite of kids and adults alike.
Tired of turkey sandwiches? A casserole filled with holiday leftovers is as much a tradition as Mama's cornbread dressing. You can swap the turkey for any leftover bird you have on hand.
This casserole is proof that a good thing can get better, thanks to the addition of the Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits. If there are leftover biscuits (though it's highly unlikely), you can serve them with some country ham, fall soups, or fresh fried chicken.
Is it Thanksgiving without this enticingly sweet side dish? It's the closest we'll get to allowing dessert served with dinner, and the marshmallow-topped recipe can be found at any Southern affair.
A casserole packed with cheap, easy ground beef is an important household staple. This layer-free tamale pie makes a homey, comforting meal packed with a filling of ground beef, cornmeal, tomato sauce, and corn that gets finished with a layer of gooey cheese.
We'll gladly accept this savory cobbler as our own. This comforting chicken casserole is filled with fresh herbs and veggies and topped with fluffy homemade biscuits instead of pie crust. Pick up a rotisserie chicken to save cooking time.
We love our greens in the South, and this casserole makes good use of a whole pound of collards. Cream cheese, Fontina, some garlic, and breadcrumbs bind it all together.
This recipe is a delicious side dish, reimagined in casserole form. Don't worry—it's loaded down with all the good stuff like bacon, cheese, and sour cream. You can make it a day ahead, stick it in the fridge, and pop it in the oven before company comes.
We always love a skillet casserole—it means one less dish to clean. This easy take gives a country makeover to chicken-and-rice casserole. Prepare the savory rice mixture on the stove, top with chicken breasts, and finish it in the oven.
You can't go wrong with this classic side dish on the table—and this one starts with boxed corn muffin mix to keep things easy. Sour cream and Monterey jack cheese turn it into a delicate, rich, and creamy delight.
Tater tots are something we never grow too old to love. A tater tot casserole? Now that's just heaven. The star ingredients in this recipe are thick-cut bacon, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and some hearty Tater Tots.
Our easy Spaghetti Casserole is the universal answer to "I don't know what to make for dinner." This slow-cooker version is quick to fix and requires a handful of ingredients you're sure to have in the kitchen.
Like we said, a skillet casserole is a forever favorite of Southern cooks. Pack your cast-iron skillet with veggies, chicken, and a creamy sauce, then slap a refrigerated crust over it to hold in that heavenly mixture.
Shepherd's pie, a British favorite, holds the same comforting appeal to Southerners as meatloaf and mashed potatoes. This slow-cooker version of the casserole makes your life just a tad easier.
The bacon-studded, cheesy biscuit topping is the coup de grace of this particular pot pie. The crowd-feeding, crowd-pleasing 9x13 casserole is one of our signature weeknight dishes.
Buffalo chicken has a loyal following for a reason. And now, it's a casserole. If you serve it with some veggies, like carrots, celery, and cucumber, it doubles as the most delicious dip.
Macaroni and corn casseroles each shine well on their own, but combine the two and you've got a truly winning dish. Cheddar and Gruyère assure it's an exceptional, cheesy good time, while crumbled bacon and fresh corn kernels provide texture.
It's a match made in Southern heaven. Extra sharp Cheddar, meet pimiento peppers. The result is a rich casserole that's a little tangy, a little creamy, and a little crunchy thanks to the buttery Ritz cracker topping.
If you want a sure winner on the dinner table, then the combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch won't steer you wrong. With a short ingredient list and easy prep, it'll quickly find its way onto your weekly meal rotation.
A good old-fashioned squash casserole that the kids are sure to love—take it from the grandmother whose dish inspired the recipe. Here's your chance to get creative with goldfish, or get the kids in on the action.
Mushrooms, garlic, and nutmeg guarantee that our Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole is full of flavor. As for the creamy factor, you'll need a little mayo, so pick a side. Are you team Duke's or Hellman's?
This vintage recipe came to us from a savvy reader in the 1990s, and it looks just like something Mama would whip up. With spaghetti noodles, Italian sausage, and cream of mushroom soup, it's hard to go wrong.
We put Louisville's famous sandwich into a casserole dish, and the results are no less tasty. It's a creamy, crunchy mixture of fresh tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, toasted bread, and crispy bacon. The turkey for this recipe starts in a slow cooker so it can develop rich flavors.
Cornbread is a staple around these parts, so putting it in a casserole is a no-brainer. Beloved barbecue master Ray Lampe (also known as Dr. BBQ) adds a sprinkle of fresh blueberries for a sweet twist.
First published in Southern Living in 1990, it's easy to see why this casserole is a hit. It solves the question of what to do with all your leftovers, and is adaptable to whatever you have on hand.
This chicken casserole is named after a Mississippi community that's just north of Biloxi. To shorten cooking time, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the deli instead of cooking your own.
Our recipe for Oyster Casserole first graced the pages of Southern Living in 1967, but Southerners know it by many names. Oyster dressing, oyster pie, scalloped oysters, the list is as long as the variations. Some things stay the same, though, including the creamy sauce, oysters, and a crispy topping.
Cheese makes everything better, especially grits. With two cups of Cheddar and a quarter cup of Parmesan, it'll be a good time. With quick-cooking grits and a few basics from the fridge, this casserole is ready for the oven in 10 or 15 minutes.
This longtime reader favorite is the perfect baked egg casserole—flavored with sausage, Dijon, and all the cheese—to make ahead for any holiday morning. Pop it in the oven while you brew a pot of coffee, and you won't miss a bit of the holiday action with family.
Whether using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey or picking up budget-friendly, lean tenderloins at the grocery store, making this turkey pot pie is just good business. The cranberry-pecan crust (which you don't have to cut into festive shapes) gives the smallest touch of sweetness.
This riff on the traditional cornbread dressing adds some chicken for a hearty boost. Feel free to pick one up from the deli if you don't already have chopped chicken in the fridge.
This breakfast casserole is an old favorite for good reason. Brown some breakfast sausage, saute the peppers and onions, and pour into your casserole dish along with a cheesy egg mixture. When you're expecting a crowd at brunch, egg casserole always saves the day.
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Texas' unofficial state casserole has been gracing tables for decades, and it's time it graced yours too. This Tex-Mex favorite is loaded down with peppers, corn tortillas, a can of Ro-Tel, and plenty of Cheddar cheese.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Give us a bag of frozen potatoes, and nine out of 10 times, you'll see this creamy, cheesy, cornflake-topped concoction come out of the oven in an hour. Also known as “Funeral Casserole,” this dish has comforted families for decades.
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