Cozy Holiday Casseroles

Warm, bubbly casseroles are always a hit at holiday gatherings. If you're looking to take your classic green bean casserole to a new level, add cheddar cheese and pecans. Plus, we found that mixing Japanese breadcrumbs (panko) and French fried onions makes for a crisp, less greasy topping.

Take traditional broccoli casserole to new heights with sharp Cheddar cheese, water chestnuts, and a panko topping. "This recipe is incredible," raves reviewer Erindipity75. "My husband swore it overshadowed the roast chicken and potatoes I served it with." If your grocery store doesn't carry panko, check with a local seafood market, or substitute regular breadcrumbs.

Everything you love about a loaded baked potato—bacon bits, sour cream, and cheese—are right here in this hearty casserole. It serves 12 and is a great choice for holiday meals.

This moist, sweet-savory side dish is a cross between corn bread and corn pudding. You can use 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels in place of the canned corn, if you prefer.

This simple hash brown casserole features a buttery cornflake crust and is a favorite side for both casual family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Easy to prepare and rich in flavor, this casserole pairs well with roasted chicken, ham, or pork chops.

Go beyond the standard “recipe on the can” casserole by adding Alfredo sauce instead of cream of mushroom soup, water chestnusts, Parmesan cheese and toasted pecans.

The crunchy topping on this side-dish casserole gives way to a cheesy interior, resulting in a comfort food winner. A bonus with this dish is that you can make the casserole ahead--assemble and refrigerate it until time to bake.

Ideal for entertaining, this creamy potato casserole features thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes baked in whipping cream and topped with Parmesan cheese.

The combination of cheeses—white cheddar, parmesan, and Gruyère—give this dish its rich flavor. The pasta makes an ideal side dish during the holidays.

Chanterelle mushrooms and fontina cheese contribute a delicate, nutty flavor that contrasts nicely with sweet potatoes in this dish. Serve with roasted pork loin or ham.

This buttery, two-cheese casserole featuring one of the South’s favorite foods is a must for holiday brunches or to serve at dinner with shrimp or ham.

Cook outside the casserole box with this inventive gratin. Granny Smith apples lend seasonal flavor, while plenty of Swiss and Parmesan cheeses make this dish a savory indulgence that all your guests are sure to love.

Enjoy all the flavor of savory squash casserole without the guilt! Reviewer Kim writes, "We used this in place of my mother's classic squash casserole for Christmas dinner and it was excellent! Tasted very similar to her much higher-fat recipe, and even she had to admit that it was very good."

Layer cooked macaroni with butter, milk, two kinds of cheese, and a little cayenne for a spicy kick. Assemble this casserole ahead of time and bake when ready to serve. User Alex suggests cooking it a little longer than suggested if you like the edges to get crispy and browned.

Creamy meets crunchy in this classic potato casserole. It's simple and can be prepared ahead of time and baked while you finish prepping the rest of the holiday meal. Reviewer Llsuraven recalls, "I tried this recipe at Thanksgiving and everyone in my family LOVED it. I am doing it again this Christmas...but I am adding water chestnuts to it!"

Creamy sweet potatoes topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy cornflakes make this casserole a sweet holiday favorite. Reviewer HBD2YHBD2Y recommends assembling the casserole the day before and adding the toppings just before cooking.

Baking vegetables into a casserole usually makes them more appealing to kids (and adults!), and this Brussels sprouts recipe is no exception: "Wow! Fantastic!" raves reviewer Bostonsmaman. "We're not normally Brussels sprouts fans, but this dish was GONE!" Like the other casseroles, this dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen, then baked the day of your gathering.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. All you'll need to do is combine the six ingredients in a bowl, pour the mixture into a baking dish, and bake it for 45 minutes. Reviewer Wanda raves, "Surely lives up to its name—couldn't be easier! Nothing to measure, just mix everything together and bake it! Will definitely make again...and it will probably become a Thanksgiving staple, too."

Upgrade your go-to mashed potato recipe without adding any fuss. Start with frozen mashed potatoes and add eggs, cream cheese, onion, and pimientos, then bake. Top the hot casserole with cheddar cheese and bake for about 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

This essential holiday casserole gets a much-needed makeover from fresh veggies and a lightened, but super-rich homemade sauce.

Why limit French fried onions to green bean casserole?  We love them on this cheesy squash casserole, too.