20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (2024)

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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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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 are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

    So what's inside? Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese.

    Are casseroles popular in the south? ›

    It also reminds me of the South, and though I'm not from there, Lisa Cericola, Deputy Editor at Southern Living agrees, "Southerners love casseroles because no gathering is complete without food, and they are the ultimate make-and-take dish.

    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.

    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.

    What is a 9 by 13 casserole dish? ›

    The average 9x13 rectangular baking dish holds 3.5 to 4 quarts. However, the number of quarts varies based on how deep the dish is—some of our deeper recommendations hold up to 5 quarts. Recipes that cook in a 3-quart dish or Dutch oven can be cooked interchangeably in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

    What must casseroles include? ›

    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, ...

    What makes a dish Southern? ›

    Common ingredients in Southern American cuisine are corn, beans, rice, okra, yams, collard greens, grits, hot sauce, pecans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

    How do you make a casserole taste better? ›

    Try different herbs for added flavour: sage or lemon thyme work wonderfully well. For a meatier casserole, add chopped sausage or pancetta when cooking the chicken. Stir wholegrain mustard through the casserole at the end of cooking (to taste); this is especially good if you have sausage in the casserole.

    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

    Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

    Soft vegetables like broccoli can be quickly par-cooked (aka blanched). If you are using hard vegetables like potatoes or carrots or other hardy root vegetables, you'll want to par-cook for longer. Often a quick 2-5 minutes in the microwave will just give them that great head-start.

    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 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.

    Do you have to brown meat before making a casserole? ›

    You don't have to brown the meat, but you should do it anyway. However, you don't have to brown all of the meat. Browning is done to fully develop the meaty flavours, and if you put too much meat into the pan it will release too much moisture and not brown at all.

    What are the five components of a dish? ›

    Here's an introduction to balancing the five key flavours in your cooking. Sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami are five taste elements that build our overall perception of flavour.

    What do all casseroles have in common? ›

    Commonly, casseroles include a protein such as beef, chicken, fish, or beans, with a mixture of vegetables and a starchy binder like pasta or potatoes to bring all the elements together into a sliceable meal.

    What is a casserole dish made of? ›

    Casseroles are cooked in a deep ovenproof dish (with a tight-fitting lid) that is glass, ceramic, cast iron, or any other ovenproof material.

    What are 5 advantages to preparing casserole dishes? ›

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

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