20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (2024)

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20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (1)

ByLisa Kaminski

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: 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 Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Loaded Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

    Creamy, cheesy and loaded with bacon, this comforting casserole immediately makes guests feel at home. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

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    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

    Author

    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, yo...

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    20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (20)

    20 Southern Casserole Recipes We Learned from Grandma (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the 5 components of a casserole? ›

    Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

    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.
    Nov 1, 2021

    Are casseroles popular in the south? ›

    Southerners just love a good casserole. They strum a chord of comfort that resonates back to times in our lives that seemed simpler and more carefree.

    What types of casseroles are there? ›

    Make an easy, hearty dinner with recipes for chicken casserole, rice casserole, and more.
    • Rice Casserole.
    • Noodle Casserole.
    • Vegetable Casserole.
    • Healthy Casseroles.
    • Seafood Casserole.
    • Beef Casserole.
    • Chicken Casserole.
    • Pork Casserole.

    What is a 9 by 13 casserole dish? ›

    But the standard rectangular, 13-by-9-inch (or 3- to 5-quart) dish is the most basic and versatile, because the shape is so great for entrées like macaroni and cheese or enchiladas, and for baked goods like bar cookies and coffee cakes.

    What was the original casserole? ›

    Casserole history

    Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.

    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

    What makes a casserole thicker? ›

    The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

    Do you cook vegetables before putting in casserole? ›

    Using Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables should be steamed or cooked until softened before adding them in. (Not too cooked through, but about 90% of the way.) Crispy Fried Onions make a great alternative topping option as well!

    What is the most Southern meal? ›

    28 Soul Food Recipes That Southerners Swear By (and Northerners Need to Try)
    • Southern Collard Greens. ...
    • Southern Cornbread. ...
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese. ...
    • Candied Sweet Potatoes. ...
    • Fried Catfish. ...
    • Southern Baked Chicken. ...
    • Auntie Rose's Southern Cornbread Dressing. ...
    • Southern Black Eyed Peas.
    Feb 11, 2022

    Why do southerners love casseroles? ›

    Casseroles are more than food. They are a way we express love. Sometimes folks in the South even build up a stockpile of casseroles in their freezers because they know that the day will surely come when someone in their life will need the kind of love and nourishment that only a casserole can provide.

    What is the oldest known casserole? ›

    Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

    What to bring a sick neighbor? ›

    What Do You Put in a Care Package for a Sick Friend?
    • Soup: a Spoonful of Comfort.
    • Vitamin C-rich Fruits and Veggies.
    • Soothing Tea Set.
    • Healthy Treats.
    • Something Sweet.
    • Something Salty.
    • Gift Baskets.
    • Gift Cards.
    Feb 14, 2023

    Is casserole a Southern thing? ›

    Few dishes have a closer link to Southern home-cooking traditions than the casserole. Recipes, ingredients, and methods vary from kitchen to kitchen, but the idea of mixing different food items, baking in a deep and sturdy dish, and serving to friends and family is near and dear to many Southerners' hearts.

    What are the main components of a casserole? ›

    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 are the basics of a casserole? ›

    There are 3 main parts that make up a casserole: the starchy base, the filling, and the sauce. The base: The starchy base is the foundation of the casserole. It isn't going to be the most flavorful part of the dish, but it is what will make the casserole filling and satisfying.

    What are the five components of a dish? ›

    Flavour: The Foundation of Every Dish

    Achieving a well-balanced, harmonious flavor profile is the mark of a skilled chef. The key to perfecting this component lies in understanding the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

    What needs to be in a casserole? ›

    The main ingredients for a casserole are protein, sauce, vegetable, starch, and topping. After that, you can just choose from each category whatever food is to your family's liking or what you have on hand. Here are some great ideas from each category.

    References

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