30 of Grandma's Favorite Casseroles (2024)

Home Recipes Casseroles

Updated: Jan. 30, 2024

Try to think of something more heartwarming than your grandma's signature casserole fresh out of the oven—we dare you.

1/29

Mom’s Macaroni and Cheese

The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother’s kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

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2/29

Bacon-Colby Lasagna

My grandmother added bacon to her cheesy lasagna—something she borrowed from carbonara-style pasta. I learned so much by her side. —Cathy McCartney, Davenport, Iowa

3/29

Texas Chicken Spaghetti

This recipe for Texas chicken spaghetti was given to me years ago by a favorite sister-in-law, a wonderful cook. My whole family has the recipe and enjoys it too. It is easy to freeze or it can be made the day before and kept in the fridge. You can use two cans of cream of mushroom soup instead of one mushroom and one chicken. —Virginia Chamblin, Youngsville, Louisiana

4/29

Sweet Onion Spoon Bread

This unique recipe has been a family favorite for years. The layers of tangy cheese, sour cream and sweet onions in the moist cornbread taste so amazing together. Add chopped green chiles for extra zip. —Heather Thomas, Fredericksburg, Virginia

5/29

Mexican Chicken Bake

I’ve had this Mexican chicken bake recipe for 30 years. Since my kids, grandkids and guests of all ages request it often and it takes only about 30 minutes to make, I have it at least once every other month! —Linda Humphreys, Buchanan, Michigan

6/29

Contest-Winning Hot Chicken Salad

After I tasted this hot chicken salad at a women’s luncheon, I left with the recipe in hand. I was our city clerk for several years, and on election days I brought this to serve our poll workers for lunch. It got everyone’s vote of approval! I’ve found it is also delicious stuffed in a tomato. —Ruth Glabe, Oronoco, Minnesota

7/29

Pan Burritos

Our family loves Mexican food, so this satisfying casserole is a favorite. It is nice to be able to get the taste of burritos and cut any serving size you want. —Joyce Kent, Grand Rapids, Michigan

8/29

Mother’s Ham Casserole

One of my mother’s favorite dishes, this ham casserole recipe always brings back fond memories of her when I prepare it. It’s a terrific use of leftover ham from a holiday dinner. Our five grandchildren are my favorite interest outside the kitchen! —Linda Childers, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

9/29

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky

10/29

Beef 'n' Biscuit Bake

This recipe is quick, easy and satisfying. With its beef and corn combo, it's cozy cuisine at its best! —Erin Schneider, St. Peters, Missouri

11/29

Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

I am happy to share this 50-year-old Cheesy Vegetable Casserole recipe. It came from my mother-in-law, who taught me how to cook. It is one of my family’s favorite dishes, yielding enough for a group or you can cut it in half to serve a few. —Irene Redick, Trenton, Ontario

12/29

It's nice to have an alternative to the traditional baked ham on Easter. This comforting casserole is always a crowd-pleaser. Using rotisserie chicken from the deli makes prep simple. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota

13/29

Sausage Lasagna

The idea for this sausage lasagna recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who always makes it for my three boys on special holidays. I've put an easy twist on Carole's classic dish, and it's become one of my go-to dinners as well! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA

14/29

On chilly days, I doctor up grits and top them with shrimp for a comfy meal. If you’re not a seafood lover, use chicken, ham or both. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska

15/29

Corn Pudding

Cornbread mix and canned corn make this southern corn pudding casserole a snap to prepare. Now, this is real comfort food! —P. Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York

16/29

Crunchy Almond Turkey Casserole

A special cousin shared the recipe for this comforting casserole. The almonds and water chestnuts give it a nice crunch. —Jill Black, Troy, Ontario

17/29

I couldn’t say who loves this recipe best, because it gets raves every time I serve it! Occasionally I even get a phone call or email from a friend requesting the recipe, and it's certainly a favorite for my grown children and 15 grandchildren. —Maryalice Wood, Langley, British Columbia

18/29

Deluxe Pizza Casserole

This is the family favorite dish for special occasions, and we always make it for my granddaughter's birthday. Mushrooms are a wonderful addition if you like them. —Vickie Oldham, Dubuque, Iowa

19/29

Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole

This is my Grandma Ostendorf's corn recipe I grew up enjoying. Now a grandmother myself, I still serve this comfy, delicious side as a family classic. —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa

20/29

Crunchy Spinach Casserole

Our holidays would not be the same without this family tradition. My mother made it every Thanksgiving when I was growing up; now I make it every Christmas as well, and my children and grandchildren absolutely love it! We triple the recipe because the kids can't get enough. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

21/29

Grandma's Rice Dish

My grandmother often made this casserole when I was young. I forgot about it until one day I found myself adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California

22/29

When we used to have Sunday breakfasts with my grandparents, my mom often made this for grandpa because he enjoyed it so much. Pork sausage and cinnamon bread taste surprisingly good together. —Carolyn Levan, Dixon, Illinois

23/29

I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

24/29

Spaghetti with Bacon

As children, we always requested this dish for our birthday dinners. Our mother got the recipe from her grandmother. Now I pass on our tasty tradition. —Ruth Keogh, North St. Paul, Minnesota

25/29

Spinach Beef Macaroni Bake

This hearty casserole is great for a family reunion or church supper. I've also made half the recipe for family gatherings. It's become a special favorite of my grandson-in-law and great-grandson, who often ask me to serve it when they're visiting. —Lois Lauppe, Lahoma, Oklahoma

26/29

Mallow-Topped Sweet Potatoes

My grandmother always served this sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving. The puffy marshmallow topping gives the dish a festive look, and spices enhance the sweet potato flavor. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

27/29

Grandma's Cornbread Dressing

Growing up, we didn’t have turkey. We had chicken, chopped and baked in my grandmother’s dressing. Now we leave out the chicken and keep the cornbread dressing. —Suzanne Mohme, Bastrop, Texas

28/29

Apple-Almond Bake

When my children were young, they loved this apple dessert—and they still do 45 years later! I like it served plain at room temperature, but it's hard to resist when served warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

29/29

My Mother's Mac and Cheese

I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. —Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon

Originally Published: August 14, 2019