31 Casserole Recipes to Make Ahead and Stockpile Before the Holidays Get Hectic

Holiday plans can crowd the calendar and leave little time to cook. These casseroles cover breakfast, meatless sides, pasta dinners, and hearty chicken or beef mains, so you can prepare a mix that suits your household. The list includes familiar favorites and a few different options, with recipe times and serving sizes to help plan what to make ahead and set aside for busy days.

From Mandy's kitchenThe Everyday Dinner Book · easy meals the whole family will actually eat

Get your copy →

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of cheesy casserole with chunks of ham and potatoes from a baking dish. — Ham and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Broccoli Casserole

A classic vegetable side has a place in the freezer plan, too. Broccoli Casserole pairs broccoli with condensed mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, onion, and Cheddar, then adds cheese crackers for a crisp top. The recipe takes 55 minutes and serves six. Set it beside a roast or other holiday main, or portion it for a smaller meal when the calendar is full.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Mashed Potato Casserole

For a hearty side that can anchor a holiday plate, Mashed Potato Casserole combines russet potatoes with Cheddar, milk, sour cream, and butter. Crispy fried onions add a crunchy finish. The recipe serves 10 and takes 75 minutes, making it a generous option to prepare ahead for a larger gathering or divide into portions for later meals. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background. — Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layers of eggplant and tomato make this a meatless option among the make-ahead mains. Eggplant Casserole uses marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and basil for an Italian-inspired flavor profile. It takes 45 minutes and serves six. Keep it in the rotation for a vegetable-forward dinner, or serve a portion alongside other dishes during the holiday stretch. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

From Mandy's kitchenStuck on what is for dinner? The Everyday Dinner Book is the one I open for easy meals the whole family will eat.

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

A familiar pot pie filling makes a filling dinner for a busy night. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole brings chicken, carrots, celery, peas, onion, and a creamy sauce together under puff pastry. It serves six and takes 1 hour 5 minutes. Make it when you want a complete main dish ready to reheat after a packed day. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese. — Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Earthy mushrooms give Wild Rice Casserole a savory, substantial feel without meat. Cooked wild rice joins mushrooms, garlic, sweet onion, mozzarella, parsley, and fried shallots. The recipe takes 70 minutes and serves six. It can round out a holiday spread or provide a satisfying meatless meal when you want something ready in the fridge. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Dorito Casserole

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese and crushed tortilla chips, with a portion removed to show layers of ground meat, vegetables, and more chips inside. — Dorito Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A crunchy chip topping brings a fun twist to this family-style dish. Dorito Casserole layers ground beef, onion, taco seasoning, tomatoes, green chiles, sour cream, and cheese with Nacho Cheese Doritos. It takes 40 minutes and serves six. Prepare it for a casual dinner, then portion leftovers for a quick meal during the busy holiday weeks. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Dorito Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Cheddar and crispy onions give this familiar side extra substance. Green Bean Casserole combines green beans with cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sharp Cheddar, with crunchy onions divided between the filling and topping. It serves six and takes 45 minutes. Add it to a holiday menu or make it ahead to reduce last-minute oven work. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

King Ranch Casserole

A serving of cheesy baked lasagna is being lifted from a casserole dish, showing layers of pasta, sauce, and melted cheese with parsley sprinkled on top. — King Ranch Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Chicken, tortillas, and a creamy tomato-chile mixture make this casserole a hearty dinner choice. King Ranch Casserole includes bell pepper, sweet onion, jalapeño, Rotel tomatoes, Mexican seasoning, and Monterey Jack. It takes 45 minutes and serves eight. Keep it in mind for a make-ahead main that can feed the family on a hectic evening. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: King Ranch Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole

Shredded potatoes turn into a filling side with plenty of savory flavor. Hashbrown Casserole mixes frozen hash browns with cream of mushroom soup, butter, sour cream, onion, thyme, and Cheddar. The recipe serves eight and takes 70 minutes. Prepare it for a group meal or divide it up to make future breakfasts and dinners easier to manage. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Cattle Drive Casserole

A slice of cheesy lasagna being lifted from a baking dish, topped with melted cheese and parsley. — Cattle Drive Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

A biscuit-style base supports a beef and cheese topping in Cattle Drive Casserole. Ground beef, bell pepper, taco seasoning, tomatoes with green chiles, sour cream, and shredded cheese make it a filling main. It serves six and takes 65 minutes. Make it ahead for a casual family dinner, then reheat portions when plans run late. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Cattle Drive Casserole

French Onion Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust and garnished with fresh herbs. — French Onion Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Caramelized onion flavor meets pasta in this cozy baked dish. French Onion Casserole pairs yellow onions, thyme, and beef broth with short pasta, Gruyère, and a panko topping. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes and serves six. Set it aside for a comforting dinner that can take pressure off the holiday weeknight menu. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Asparagus Casserole

Tender asparagus sits in a creamy cheese sauce in Asparagus Casserole. The recipe uses garlic, milk, flour, butter, and Cheddar, then finishes with crispy shallots and parsley. It serves four and takes 50 minutes. Its smaller yield suits a side dish for a family meal or a holiday table with several other options. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole

A serving of cheesy baked spaghetti is being lifted with a utensil. The dish is topped with melted cheese and garnished with herbs. — Spaghetti Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Pasta night can be ready to warm up when the week gets crowded. Spaghetti Casserole combines spaghetti with ground beef, onion, tomatoes, oregano, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It takes 27 minutes and makes 12 servings. Prepare it for a group or portion it into smaller meals, so dinner is covered on a busier day. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

A serving spoon lifts a portion of a baked casserole topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs and garnished with chopped herbs from a white dish. — Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Shredded chicken and a buttery cracker topping make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole a rich, crowd-friendly main. Cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Cheddar, green onions, caramelized onions, and bacon round out the filling. It serves six and takes 40 minutes. Prepare it for a family dinner, then save portions for a quick meal later. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Mexican Casserole

A plated serving of cheesy casserole with ground meat, topped with sliced green onions and parsley, accompanied by a fork. — Mexican Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Brown rice and ground turkey make Mexican Casserole a substantial one-dish meal. Bell peppers, onion, cumin, refried black beans, tomatoes with green chiles, Greek yogurt, and Mexican cheese build its layers of flavor. It serves six and takes 45 minutes. Add it to the make-ahead plan when you want a filling dinner without separate sides. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Casserole

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

A close-up of a spoonful of baked cheesy pasta casserole with shredded chicken and golden melted cheese on top. — Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pasta, chicken, and bacon bring familiar flavors to this filling bake. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole pairs short pasta and shredded chicken with ranch seasoning, Greek yogurt, cream of chicken soup, Cheddar, mozzarella, and a potato chip topping. It serves eight and takes 40 minutes. Make it for a family dinner and set aside extra portions for later. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Potato Casserole

Creamy and cheesy, Potato Casserole makes a useful side for a holiday meal or weeknight dinner. Russet potatoes are combined with butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, green onion, and Cheddar. It serves six and takes 1 hour. Prepare it when you want a familiar potato dish ready to pair with a main. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Vegetable Casserole

A baked casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with fresh herbs. — Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

A mix of vegetables and a crisp panko topping make Vegetable Casserole a meatless option for the meal plan. Mushrooms, broccoli, red bell pepper, and red onion bake with a creamy almond milk sauce, nutritional yeast, and parsley. It serves eight and takes 45 minutes. Serve it as a side or make it part of a plant-based dinner. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole

Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it. — Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Zucchini is the centerpiece of this cheesy vegetable bake. Zucchini Casserole combines it with onion, eggs, Cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and panko breadcrumbs. The recipe serves six and takes 1 hour 5 minutes. Add it to the make-ahead list as a family-style side, or pair it with soup for an easy meatless meal. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Egg noodles and tuna make this a practical pantry-style dinner. Tuna Noodle Casserole brings together tuna, milk, Cheddar, onion, garlic, and a panko-Parmesan topping. It serves eight and takes 35 minutes. Make a batch when you want a filling meal with straightforward ingredients, then save portions for evenings when cooking time is limited. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Marry Me Chicken Casserole

A casserole dish filled with baked pasta topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs. — Marry Me Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan give Marry Me Chicken Casserole a savory, creamy pasta base. Chicken breast, short pasta, garlic, shallots, thyme, and basil complete the dish. It serves eight and takes 40 minutes. Prepare it as a main for the family, or portion it ahead so a satisfying dinner is close at hand during the holiday rush. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Casserole

Cornbread Casserole

Sweet corn and a tender cornmeal base give Cornbread Casserole its home-style character. The cached recipe also includes buttermilk, eggs, bacon, jalapeño, and Cheddar. It serves six and takes 40 minutes. Serve it with chili or another main, or include it in a make-ahead spread when you need a filling side. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Casserole

Cheesy Ravioli Casserole

Close-up of a baked dish with ravioli, mushrooms, asparagus, and melted cheese on top. — Cheesy Ravioli Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cheese ravioli gives Cheesy Ravioli Casserole a head start on a satisfying pasta dinner. Mushrooms, asparagus, shallots, garlic, cream, sage, Parmesan, and toasted walnuts create a rich sauce around it. The recipe serves 12 and takes 27 minutes. It is a handy option for feeding a crowd or setting aside portions for later. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ravioli Casserole

Pancake Casserole

A baked French toast casserole topped with powdered sugar, sliced strawberries, and blueberries in a white dish. — Pancake Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Breakfast can be planned ahead with Pancake Casserole, which layers pancakes with an egg and half-and-half custard. Brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, berries, and a caramel drizzle bring sweetness to the dish. It serves eight and takes 60 minutes. Bake it for a shared breakfast or divide it into portions for busy mornings. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Pancake Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked rice casserole with melted cheese on top, garnished with chopped herbs. — Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Rice, chicken thighs, and a creamy sauce come together in Chicken and Rice Casserole. The recipe includes cream of mushroom soup, milk, Cheddar, and parsley, making it a hearty main with familiar flavors. It serves six and takes 1 hour 50 minutes. Start it ahead when you want a substantial dinner ready for a later meal. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

A close-up of a cheesy, baked casserole topped with bacon and chopped green onions, with a serving being lifted out, showing melted cheese stretching. — Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Bacon and green onions bring the familiar toppings of a twice-baked potato to Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Potatoes are mixed with sour cream, milk, butter, garlic, and Cheddar. It serves six and takes 1 hour. Make it as a hearty side for a group meal or portion it to complement dinners later in the week. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

The flavors of stuffed peppers come together in a scoopable main. Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines ground beef, green and red bell peppers, rice, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, broth, and mozzarella. It serves eight and takes 42 minutes. Make it for a family meal, then divide leftovers so dinner is ready to reheat on a hectic night. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Beef Enchilada Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy dish with melted cheese, beef, beans, and scattered cilantro leaves. Red onion slices are visible in the foreground. — Beef Enchilada Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Corn tortillas and red enchilada sauce layer with beef in Beef Enchilada Casserole. Red beans, onion, garlic, taco seasoning, cheese, cilantro, jalapeños, and sour cream complete the dish. It serves six and takes about an hour. Prepare it as a filling main for a busy evening, with leftovers ready for another meal. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Beef Enchilada Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

A crisp potato topping makes Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole a hearty start to the day. Breakfast sausage, eggs, milk, Monterey Jack, and Cheddar bake beneath frozen Tater Tots. It serves six and takes 60 minutes. Make it for a family breakfast or prepare portions for mornings when holiday plans leave little time to cook. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

A plate of creamy baked spaghetti with chunks of chicken, diced tomatoes, melted cheese, and herbs, served with a black fork. — Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Chicken and two kinds of cheese make Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole a substantial pasta main. Spaghetti, chicken breast, mushrooms, onion, garlic, Rotel tomatoes, broth, cream, Cheddar, and mozzarella create a savory baked dish. It serves six and takes 50 minutes. Keep it ready for a family dinner when the holiday schedule is packed. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Ham and Potato Casserole

Cooked ham and potatoes make Ham and Potato Casserole a hearty one-dish meal. Onion, garlic, milk, chicken broth, and shredded cheese create its creamy filling, with parsley to finish. It serves six and takes 70 minutes. Prepare it ahead for a filling family dinner, then portion the leftovers for another busy evening. It gives you another option to prepare before the holiday rush arrives.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole