When in Doubt, Make a Casserole
Easy recipes for low-key gatherings and meal train deliveries
Something about a big ol’ 9 x 13 inch pan covered in aluminum foil just screams “I love you, please let me feed you.” The casserole is the embodiment of all our most generous Midwestern tendencies—to comfort, to warm you up, and to make food in portion sizes that only made sense when you were raising five boys on a farm.
The humble casserole was made for gatherings and meal trains. They’re perfect for a casual dinner parties but can also be packaged up and delivered to a family who could use a break. They make enough to feed your own family AND someone else’s, without a lot of extra work.
The casserole is pure, nostalgic comfort food. We’re talking saucy pasta bakes and blankets of cheese. Creamy chicken paired with buttery Ritz crackers. Crispy tater tots over cheesy ground beef. Did I mention all the cheese?
It’s really too much, and that’s the hilarious beauty of it. We might not know what to say or how to fix things, but we sure do know how to make enough food to feed you for a week.
Now, please here me when I say this. No one who is struggling needs 4 weeks straight of casseroles. Their hearts will explode (and not just from the generosity). If I check out a meal train and it’s all casseroles, I try to pivot to a big salad or grilled chicken or any of these other meal train dinner ideas. But when you need to feel mothered by a generous and warm Midwestern grandmother, nothing compares to a casserole dinner. Here are my favorites to give (and receive)!
Tater Tot Casserole
This was my favorite dinner as a kid, and my kids are finally coming around to its humble, delicious ways. When someone says “hot dish,” this is immediately what I think of.
Company Casserole
I mean, it’s in the name! This casserole is made for sharing. This is a classic ground beef and pasta casserole with a super creamy marinara sauce. I made this for my college roommates, and now they’re indebted to me for life.
Hamburger Zucchini Casserole
This is a newer favorite that includes a big serving of veggies! Hooray! Casseroles aren’t my go-to for the summer months, but this one is perfect when the garden is overflowing with zucchinis.
Walking Taco Casserole
This is all the best parts of the taco-in-a-bag you might remember from your high school football games transformed into an easy to share casserole. Serve it with lots of fresh, crisp taco toppings.
Tortellini Bake
Just five ingredients is all you need to make this super quick pasta bake that my kids really love!
Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni
I developed this recipe with Ohio Beef last year, and it quickly became my oldest son’s favorite dinner. Pair it with garlic bread and a Caesar salad for an Italian feast.
Cottage Cheese Lasagna
What’s a casserole list without lasagna? This one is fully Midwestern, subbing cottage cheese for the more traditional ricotta and adding just a little Swiss cheese. Don’t knock it till you try it! The five star reviews don’t lie!
Easy Cheesy Pizza Casserole
Cube up some day old bread and combine it with your favorite pizza toppings for a quick and family friendly casserole dinner.
Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Bacon
Brinner is always welcome in this house, and this bacon, spinach, and egg casserole is one of the best! Deliver it to a friend with a giant bowl of fresh cut fruit, and they’ll love you forever.
Creamy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
Canned soup and Ritz crackers, we’re doing this, baby! If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken, this casserole can be in your oven in less than 20 minutes!
Do you have a favorite casserole from your childhood? Share it in the comments!