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.
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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!”
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.
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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.
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.”
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!”
