Tastiest Main Dish Casseroles

Updated: March 09, 2015
When feeding a crowd or fixing a no-fuss supper, nothing's more satisfying than a cheesy, crumb-topped casserole. These popular recipes will make you want to scrape the pan clean.
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Green Chile-Chicken Casserole

Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Green Chile-Chicken Casserole Recipe
Easier to make than rolling enchiladas but just as satisfying, this popular dish is New Mexican comfort food at its best: little bit spicy, a little bit creamy, and a lot filling. Take it to a potluck or team dinner then sit back and wait for the raves.
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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

William Dickey; Melanie Clarke
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
There's a reason why recipes for this Texan favorite abound. It travels well, feeds a crowd, and results in delicious leftovers. This version keeps the convenience of using canned soups, but gets its oomph from the addition of oregano, cumin, and chili powder.

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Extra-Easy Lasagna

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Martin
Extra-Easy Lasagna Recipe

When we say easy, we mean easy. You don't even have to cook the noodles for this speedy yet impressive lasagna that always gets rave reviews. Lasagna is a family favorite, but this version is extra-special because it only requires 5 quick ingredients: ground beef, pasta sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella (we don’t count the water!). It’s rated 5 stars for a reason. Pro tip: Make a double batch: Enjoy one now and freeze one for a quick meal on a busy weeknight.

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Chicken and Rice Casserole

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro
Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Although the yellow and green squash give this chicken and rice casserole a colorful appearance, you can use one or the other, if you prefer.

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Chicken Tamale Casserole

Photo: Lee Harrelson
Chicken Tamale Casserole Recipe

A simple cornbread base is the secret to getting a hearty (usually time-consuming) Mexican dish on the dinner table in no time. This Chicken Tamale casserole is a quick and easy swap for more traditional tamales - but just as delicious!

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Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

We preferred turkey pepperoni, so you don't get a greasy appearance. Freeze the unbaked casserole up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes at room temperature, and bake as directed.

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Mexican Chicken Casserole

BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER
Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe

Zesty, creamy and loaded with chicken, it's no wonder why this Mexican chicken casserole is one of our top-rated recipes.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl
Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Chicken Enchiladas are the ultimate in family-favorite dishes.

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Black Bean and Chicken Casserole

Photo: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps 
Black Bean and Chicken Casserole Recipe
This simple Black Bean and Chicken Casserole uses a slow cooker, canned beans and rotisserie chicken to make a super-convenient family meal.
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Mandy’s Easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Oxmoor House
Mandy’s Easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole Recipe

Prepared in 40 minutes, this quick and easy make ahead dish is sure to make any weeknight or holiday gathering easier. This cheesy dish is similar to the potluck classic known as poppyseed chicken casserole, or Ritz cracker chicken casserole. For even more variations, experiment with adding your favorite veggies, substituting different cheeses, or swapping in low-fat sour cream to reduce the calorie load.

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Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

These easy, cheesy chicken enchiladas come together in a snap and are faster and way more delicious than fast food.

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Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Cindy Barr    
Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Recipe

A traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 800 calories per serving! Try our lightened up version that offers great flavor without all the calories.

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Southwestern Chicken-Pasta Bake

Southwestern Chicken-Pasta Bake Recipe
Southwestern Chicken-Pasta Bake incorporates all the flavors from that region. This hearty baked dish is an excellent way to use leftover chicken, and it freezes well for future meals.

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Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Cajun Shrimp Casserole Recipe
If it were possible to put Mardi Gras in a casserole dish, this would be it. The seasoned shrimp-and-rice mixture is full of bayou flavor, while the colorful confetti of red, green, and yellow peppers make this a festive dish for a party.

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Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Photo: Oxmoor House
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
You can cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight, and sprinkle with cheese before baking. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes until bubbly.
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Zucchini Casserole with Red-Pepper Aioli

Randy Mayor; Mary Catherine Muir
Zucchini Casserole with Red-Pepper Aioli Recipe
Layer herbed vegetables with cheese and slices of Italian bread, then let an hour in the oven transform the dish into a hearty, satisfying stew. Don't skip the aioli. Seasoned with garlic and roasted, bottled red peppers, this coral-pink sauce adds a kick of color and flavor.

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Swiss Chard Spanakopita Casserole

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Swiss Chard Spanakopita Casserole Recipe
Sandwiching a savory filling of chard and two types of cheese between pan-sized sheets of phyllo pastry is much less work than wrapping individual pastries, but it tastes just as good as the traditional Greek version. Fresh parsley and mint add a delightful brightness.

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Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta and Collard Greens

Jim Franco
Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta and Collard Greens Recipe
Earthy collard greens are a welcome addition to this creamy, cheesy dish. A truly satisfying meatless casserole, it works equally well as a main dish or side.
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Baked Polenta with Sausage and Tomato-Pepper Sauce

Iain Bagwell
Baked Polenta with Sausage and Tomato-Pepper Sauce Recipe
Tubes of prepared polenta make this casserole a snap to prepare. Its robust topping of onions, peppers, and Italian sausage might tempt you to drape your dinner table in red-checked cloth and blast Puccini from your speakers.

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Sausage and Bean Casserole

Randy Mayor; Katie Stoddard
Sausage and Bean Casserole Recipe
A traditional French cassoulet is a sumptuous, soul-warming symphony of tender beans, sausage, duck legs, and pork. But assembling the dish can take more than four hours. This simplified casserole relies on the same delicious marriage of beans and sausage, but the whole thing can be on the table in less than 45 minutes.

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Mac and Texas Cheeses With Roasted Chiles

Mac and Texas Cheeses With Roasted Chiles Recipe
This all-time favorite Southern side dish is transformed into a larger-than-life main dish, Texas style, with the addition of roasted poblano chile peppers. It's definitely big and rich enough to be the main course with whipping cream, butter, and three different kinds of cheese.
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Curried-Chicken Potpie

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Curried-Chicken Potpie Recipe
All you love about chicken pot pie is right here: a flaky crust, tender chunks of chicken, and a creamy, veggie-packed filling. But the addition of curry takes this ultimate comfort food casserole to a whole new level of flavor.

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Shepherd's Pie

Fast and easy, this classic dish is perfect for busy weeknight meals. Kidney beans adds a healthy dose of fiber, and using prepared mashed potatoes and salsa saves on prep time and clean-up.

Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

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