Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food – easy to prepare, hearty, and loved by the whole family. For moms, mastering a few go-to casserole recipes can make meal planning a breeze. These dishes are not only delicious but also perfect for those busy weeknights when time is short. Here are nine essential casseroles every mom should know.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole is a comforting dish that combines the flavors of tuna, noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and peas. It’s topped with breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly. To prepare, cook the noodles according to package instructions. In a large bowl, mix the noodles with drained tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and peas. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice casserole is a hearty dish made with chicken, rice, cream of chicken soup, and vegetables. Begin by cooking the rice according to package instructions. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, and mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic side dish that features green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. To make this dish, mix cooked green beans with cream of mushroom soup in a large bowl. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with crispy fried onions. Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the onions are golden brown.
Macaroni and Cheese Casserole
Macaroni and cheese casserole is a creamy and cheesy dish made with macaroni noodles and a homemade cheese sauce. Start by cooking the macaroni noodles according to package instructions. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and pour into a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Don't Settle for Ordinary.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR UNIQUE WEB-STORIES NEWSLETTER AND ELEVATE YOUR READING GAME.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a comforting dish made with ground meat (traditionally lamb), mixed with vegetables and gravy, and topped with mashed potatoes. To prepare, cook the ground meat in a skillet until browned. Add chopped vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and corn) and gravy, then simmer until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish and top with a layer of mashed potatoes. Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown.
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Broccoli and cheese casserole is a delicious side dish made with broccoli and a creamy cheese sauce. Begin by steaming broccoli until tender. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Combine the cheese sauce with the steamed broccoli and transfer to a baking dish. Top with buttered breadcrumbs and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Lasagna
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. To prepare, cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onions until browned. Add marinara sauce and simmer. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with an egg and some shredded mozzarella. Layer the ingredients in a baking dish, starting with a layer of meat sauce, followed by noodles, ricotta mixture, and more sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast casserole is a versatile dish made with eggs, cheese, breakfast meats, and bread. Start by whisking eggs in a large bowl. Add cooked sausage or bacon, shredded cheese, and cubed bread. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is a sweet and savory side dish made with mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and a crunchy pecan streusel topping. To prepare, boil sweet potatoes until tender, then mash with butter and brown sugar. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix chopped pecans with flour, brown sugar, and melted butter to make the streusel topping. Sprinkle the topping over the sweet potatoes and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crunchy.
