I Tried Our 5 Most Popular Casseroles—Here’s the Recipe I’m Saving

There’s nothing higher than pulling a golden, effervescent casserole from the oven on a busy weeknight—instantaneous dinner hero standing achieved. Casseroles have this magical capacity to really feel each effortlessly informal and special-occasion worthy, plus they feed a crowd with out breaking a sweat or dirtying 17 dishes.

With college chaos in full swing, I’m shamelessly declaring this casserole season and determined to develop my repertoire past our traditional suspects. I dove headfirst into Allrecipes’ high 5 most-saved casserole recipes to see which of them deserve a everlasting spot within the dinner rotation.

What Makes a Great Casserole?

When we’re assembling a one-dish surprise, we wish a real crowd-pleaser—one thing that wins over choosy eaters, carb-lovers, and suspicious salad individuals alike. To me, there are three essential components.

1. Flavor: Since the whole lot’s baked collectively in a single wonderful dish, the flavors have to be balanced—neither bland nor a salt lick in disguise. Fresh herbs, a liberal hand with the spice rack, and loads of aromatics preserve issues energetic.
2. Texture: A correct casserole marries creamy consolation with a crunchy topping. We need distinction and nuance right here, not one thing that reminds you of child meals.
3. Ease Factor: A casserole ought to feed a crowd with out triggering stress hives. These dishes are sometimes made to consolation neighbors or family members. I swear you may really style nervousness, which has no enterprise within the kitchen. Simplicity isn’t simply good in your nerves; it improves the flavour, too.

Meet the Contenders

The Results

Best For Taco Night

• The recipe: Taco Bake Casserole, submitted by Cherie Burgett
• Average score: 4.7 stars
• Rave overview: “This was very simple and quick. My kids loved it. Definitely going on my dinner menus in the future” —Selena Lang

We’re a taco night time household via and thru, however typically you want one thing with somewhat extra oomph than the same old Tuesday routine. Enter this casserole, which takes the whole lot you like about taco night time and turns it as much as 11. Cherie browns floor beef with onions, then folds in refried beans, black olives, inexperienced chiles, and a beneficiant dose of salsa earlier than layering all of it with crushed taco shells and cheese. My household deemed it “even better than regular taco night.” When you may impress true taco aficionados, you realize you’ve got struck gold.

Best For Italian Cravings

• The recipe: Johnny Marzetti Casserole, submitted by KC
• Average score: 4.6 stars
• Rave overview: “New family favorite! So easy!” —Lisa Wain

Few issues hit the spot on a cold night time fairly like a hearty, Italian-style casserole that delivers all of the lasagna vibes with out the fuss. KC begins by browning floor beef with Italian sausage, then builds a wealthy, fragrant base with onions, celery, garlic, bell peppers, tomato sauce, and an ideal mix of seasonings. Layer the filling with noodles and cheese, give the casserole 45 minutes within the oven, and you have pure consolation meals with simply sufficient sophistication to make it really feel particular. Everyone on the desk cherished this one.

Best Base Recipe

This is likely to be the final word lazy (learn: drained) cook dinner’s dream—and someway it delivers actually satisfying outcomes. Just toss cubed rooster breast, instantaneous rice, and three completely different cream soups straight into your casserole dish, dot the highest with butter pats, and let the oven work its magic. What emerges is pure consolation that tastes way more advanced than it’s. Plus, it is mainly a clean canvas begging in your private contact: Throw in some frozen peas, broccoli, further cheese, or no matter’s lurking in your fridge. Often, the only recipes are probably the most good—and the very best for including your individual creativity to the combo.

Kid Friendliest

• The Recipe: Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole, submitted by LaDonna Langwell
• Average Rating: 4.5 stars
• Rave Review: “Wicked great try this your family will love this. Even the most critical ones will love this.” —Joe

This recipe gained our hearts with easy, homey flavors that children really love. Brown some seasoned floor beef and layer in your dish with egg noodles and a ridiculously creamy sauce comprised of onion, cream cheese, and bitter cream. Top the casserole with cheese, and slide it into the oven. What you get is all of the satisfaction of burger night time—the savory beef, the consolation, the crowd-pleasing enchantment—with out the trouble of warming buns, flipping patties, or taking part in short-order cook dinner for everybody’s particular requests. It’s burger night time, reimagined as pure casserole bliss.

The Overall Crowd Favorite

• The Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserolesubmitted by Corey Williams
• Average Rating: 4.6 stars
• Rave Review: “I made this just like the recipe and it was a big hit. Guests begged for leftovers to take home with them” —ACracraft

When I inform you my eyes virtually rolled again in my head after one chew of this masterpiece, I’m not being dramatic. Corey’s genius lies within the simplicity: Sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream of rooster soup get combined with Creole seasoning and rotisserie rooster, then topped with mozzarella and—the very best half—buttery, crispy crackers that bake into probably the most crave-worthy golden crust. It’s ridiculously simple to throw collectively, however the flavors are so completely balanced and satisfying that it immediately turned my new favourite. This is the casserole that can convert a skeptic.