15 Comfort Casserole Recipes

Casseroles are the quintessential comfort food, perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to festive gatherings. 

They encapsulate warmth, comfort, and delicious versatility in a single dish. This collection of 15 Comfort Casserole Recipes offers a variety of flavors to suit any palate, ranging from classic combinations to inventive twists that reinvigorate this beloved dish category. 

Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned chef, these recipes provide straightforward instructions and rich flavors that promise to deliver satisfaction and a touch of nostalgia.

1. Classic Chicken and Rice Casserole

This timeless casserole combines tender chicken and creamy rice under a crispy breadcrumb topping—a true family favorite. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chopped onion, peas and carrots, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and evenly spread the diced chicken on top.
4. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then sprinkle over the chicken.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

2. Beef and Bean Taco Casserole

Dive into layers of savory beef, beans, and tortillas, topped with melted cheese and fresh toppings for a Mexican-inspired treat. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
• 1 cup salsa
• 8-10 small corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream, sliced green onions, and diced tomatoes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, drain the fat, then stir in taco seasoning, black beans, and corn.
3. In a greased baking dish, layer half the tortillas, followed by the beef mixture, salsa, and one cup of cheese.
4. Repeat the layers ending with cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and tomatoes before serving.

3. Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole

This comforting casserole is a delightful blend of creamy sauce, chunks of tuna, and noodles, all crowned with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (6 oz each) tuna, drained
• 8 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the cream of celery soup, mayonnaise, milk, celery, onion, and peas.
3. Gently fold in the tuna and cooked noodles until well combined.
4. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
5. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter, then sprinkle over the casserole.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.

4. Vegetarian Lasagna Casserole

Layers of ricotta, spinach, and marinara tucked between sheets of pasta make this vegetarian lasagna a hearty and healthy choice. 

Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and spinach.
3. Spread a layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
4. Layer three lasagna noodles, half the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella, and a layer of sauce.
5. Repeat the layers and finish with the remaining noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden.

5. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

A delightful fusion of sweet and spicy, this enchilada casserole layers sweet potatoes with black beans and enchilada sauce for a gluten-free treat. Ingredients:

• 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups red enchilada sauce
• 10 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Cilantro and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Boil sweet potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain.
3. In a greased baking dish, layer half the tortilla strips, followed by sweet potatoes, black beans, half the enchilada sauce, and one cup of cheese.
4. Repeat layers, ending with cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
6. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges before serving.

6. Broccoli Cheese Casserole

A creamy blend of broccoli and cheese, this casserole is a comforting side dish that’s perfect for any family meal. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crushed crackers
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Blanch broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain.
3. In a bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream.
4. Stir in the broccoli and half of the cheese.
5. Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheese and crushed crackers mixed with melted butter.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

7. Sausage and Pepper Penne Casserole

Spicy sausage, bell peppers, and penne pasta come together under a blanket of melted cheese in this hearty casserole. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned. Add onions and peppers, cooking until softened.
3. Combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture, crushed tomatoes, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.
4. Pour into a greased baking dish and top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

This casserole is a delightful mix of crispy hashbrowns and melted cheese, perfect for breakfast or a side dish. 

Ingredients:

• 1 package (32 oz) frozen hash browns, thawed
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, 1 cup cheese, melted butter, salt, and pepper.
3. Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and crispy on top.

9. Spinach and Mushroom Quinoa Casserole

A healthy and hearty casserole that combines quinoa, spinach, and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a saucepan, cook quinoa in vegetable broth according to package instructions.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions and mushrooms until tender.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Mix cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, cream cheese, and half of the Parmesan in a bowl.
6. Transfer to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and set.

10. Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce

A classic Italian-American comfort dish, baked ziti with rich meat sauce and lots of cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ziti pasta, cooked and drained
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, and oregano, simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Mix the sauce with the cooked pasta and half of the cheeses.
5. Pour into a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheeses.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

11. Autumn Squash Casserole

Savory and sweet, this casserole highlights the flavors of autumn with squash, apples, and a touch of cinnamon. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 2 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Layer squash and apples in a greased baking dish.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon, dot with butter.
4. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes until tender and caramelized.

12. Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This deconstructed version of chicken parmesan features all the classic flavors baked into a satisfying casserole. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a baking dish, layer chicken, marinara sauce, and basil.
3. Mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the sauce.
4. Top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs are golden.

13. Loaded Potato Casserole

Packed with the flavors of a fully loaded baked potato, this casserole is a comforting and filling side dish. 

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup bacon bits
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil potatoes until tender, mash with sour cream and milk.
3. Stir in half the bacon, cheese, and green onions.
4. Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with remaining bacon, cheese, and onions.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

14. Ratatouille Casserole

This French-inspired dish layers eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes with a sprinkle of herbs for a light yet satisfying casserole. 

Ingredients:

• 1 eggplant, sliced
• 2 zucchinis, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and onion in a baking dish.
3. Sprinkle it with garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
4. Cover and bake for 45 minutes until vegetables are tender.

15. Cornbread and Chili Casserole

A hearty and spicy chili topped with a layer of sweet cornbread, combining two comfort foods into one dish. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 package (8.5 oz) cornbread mix, prepared according to package instructions

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, kidney beans, and chili powder, simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Pour chili into a greased baking dish, top with prepared cornbread batter.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cornbread is cooked and golden.

Conclusion: 

These 15 Comfort Casserole Recipes are designed to bring warmth and satisfaction to your table, providing a range of options from hearty meat dishes to lighter vegetarian delights. 

Each recipe is simple to prepare and packed with flavor, making them perfect for any day of the week. 

Whether you’re looking for a dish to comfort a friend, feed a family, or impress at a potluck, these casseroles are sure to be a hit. 

Enjoy the process of cooking and the joy of sharing these comforting dishes!