11 Savory Casserole Recipes for a Crowd
When you need to cook for a crowd, nothing's easier than a casserole. But, unfortunately, casseroles have a tendency to look (and taste!) pretty terrible. But not these 11 surefire dishes! We've separated the good from the totally inedible -- they look great, taste better, and even your pickiest friends will be coming back for seconds.
Layering slow-cooked sweet pork between tortillas, beans, and cheese sounds amazing on its own, but the cilantro-lime ranch dressing on top? We’re sold -- here!
What you'll need:
- Shredded sweet pork
- Cilantro-lime ranch dressing
- Flour tortillas
- Black beans
- Mexican blend cheese
This Middle Eastern-inspired dish is packed with spices, cheese, and veggies, plus it’s topped with prosciutto. Make it here.
What you'll need:
- Wild rice
- Harissa
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Gruyere
This genius casserole is juicy Italian sausage layered over thick medallions of polenta, then smothered in a sheet of mozzarella, so clearly you need this. Find it here.
What you'll need:
- Italian sausage
- Polenta
- Frozen spinach
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
This badass dish is made in just 30 minutes and is covered in a massive sheet of cornbread, which is how every casserole should be topped. It’s here!
What you'll need:
- Chicken
- Corn
- Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Taco seasoning
- Cornbread mix
Handmade breadsticks are topped lattice-style over a meaty, pizza-style filling for a delicious (and pretty!) meal that’s ready in <1 hour. Make it here!
What you'll need:
- Zucchini
- Diced tomatoes
- Chicken or turkey sausages
- Mozzarella cheese
- Breadstick dough
When you’re too lazy for the grill, this beefy casserole has you covered in just 20 minutes. Find it here.
What you'll need:
- Pasta
- Ground beef
- Tomatoes
- Dijon mustard
- Cheddar cheese
This modern meets classic casserole is ready in only an hour and brims with sweet-and-savory flavor. If you don’t like apples, skip them and use extra ham instead! It’s here.
What you'll need:
- Whole-wheat penne
- Ham
- Apples
- Fresh sage leaves
- Cheddar cheese
This jam-packed casserole boasts everything from corn and bell peppers to refried beans, tortillas, and loooads of cheese. Recipe here!
What you'll need:
- Peppers
- Corn
- Mexican cheese
- Corn tortillas
- Refried beans
This no-fuss recipe amps up quinoa with black beans, corn, cilantro, avocado, and a heaping pile of cheese. Recipe here.
What you'll need:
- Quinoa
- Corn
- Black beans
- Mozzarella and cheddar cheese
- Avocado
Casseroles aren’t just great for main dishes, they’re perfect for sides, too. This recipe layers cheesy, buttery mashed potatoes over pasta, so you know it’s a crowd-pleaser. Find it here!
What you'll need:
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Cheese
- Pasta
- Butter
Classic cordon bleu (chicken stuffed with ham and cheese) is reinvented into a simple and delicious casserole topped with buttery Ritz crackers. Recipe here!
What you'll need:
- Rice
- Chicken
- Ham
- Cream of chicken soup
- Cheddar and Swiss cheese
Christine Fischer is a freelance writer dedicated to a strict diet of Champagne, cookies, and the occasional pizza. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.