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.

Courtesy of Le Crème de la Crumb

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
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest

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
Courtesy of Bev Cooks

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
Courtesy of Spicy Southern Kitchen

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
 Courtesy of Mel’s Kitchen Café

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
Courtesy of Gimmie Delicious

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
Courtesy of Well Plated

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
Courtesy of Pinch of Yum

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
Courtesy of Damn Delicious

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
Courtesy of HowSweetEats

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
Courtesy of Spicy Southern Kitchen

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.