31 Make-Ahead Casseroles We’re Eating All Fall Long
31 Make-Ahead Casseroles We’re Eating All Fall Long
Read Time: 14 mins
31 Make-Ahead Casseroles We’re Eating All Fall Long
3/31 Carnitas
Middletown, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 390 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 32g protein. 2/31 Chicken Spaghetti Casserole 77 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy, cheesy casserole is so hearty that second helpings are a must! —Lynne German, Buford, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 549 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 957mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein. 3/31 Carnitas
with Orzo and Peppers in Red Mole Sauce 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a tasty way to stretch your grocery dollar. Pork shoulder roast is combined with orzo, peppers and mole sauce to make a spicy Mexican comfort food. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 559 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1509mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 37g protein. 4/31 Pizza Noodle Bake 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pizza Noodle Bake Recipe photo by Taste
Double the recipe and freeze one for later!
of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 644 calories, 33g fat (15g saturated fat), 160mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 43g protein. 5/31 Pasta Fagioli al Forno 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pasta Fagioli al Forno Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe
But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.”
From the Recipe Creator: The name of this Italian-inspired dish means “baked pasta with beans.” But my busy family translates it as “super satisfying dinner.” —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 440 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 1029mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 22g protein. 6/31 Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake 52 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to cook but just don’t have much time. This casserole
is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe
is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 247 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 658mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 7/31 Chili Tortilla Bake 27 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon for Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A homestyle Tex-Mex casserole is all it takes to gather the whole family around the dinner table. With its popular
I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short
flavors and bubbly cheese topping, there is never a need to worry about leftovers. —Celine Weldy, Cave Creek, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 413 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 28g protein. 8/31 Tater Tot Casserole 52 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short. If we have unexpected company, I just double the ingredients and use a 13×9-in. pan.
To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when
I call it my Please Stay Casserole! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 570 calories, 35g fat (12g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1357mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. 9/31 Shrimp & Crab Casserole 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp & Crab Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick, easy recipe is truly delicious. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth seafood flavors and textures make for elegant comfort food. To make ahead, just assemble, cover and refrigerate, then bake when
This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe
ready. —Jan Bartley, Evergreen, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 376 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 195mg cholesterol, 1127mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 10/31 Penne and Smoked Sausage 57 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 553 calories, 35g fat (14g
Our family would scrape the pan clean
saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein. 11/31 Chicken Tortilla Casserole 68 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Tortilla Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix. —Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 359 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1007mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g
sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein
sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. 12/31 Creamy Hash Brown Casserole 13 Reviews Creamy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This versatile side dish is so good with grilled steak, and is delicious with other meats as well. A creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this potato casserole popular for family dinners and potlucks. —Teresa Stutzman, Adair, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 663 calories, 43g fat (27g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 1359mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. 13/31 Triple-Sausage
It’s a really meaty meal
Breakfast Bake Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This over-the-top breakfast has great flavors—smoky, sweet and spicy. It’s a really meaty meal. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 695 calories, 59g fat (24g saturated fat), 387mg cholesterol, 1441mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 36g protein. 14/31 Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In the South, everyone loves three
things: bacon, cheese and grits!
things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I’m sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 466 calories, 34g fat (18g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 840mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein. 15/31 Chicken Tetrazzini 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Diana Rattray for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 2 casseroles (4 servings each) Go to Recipe From the
Recipe Creator: A good friend shared a version of this recipe with me 35 years ago. I pay it forward by bringing the second casserole to friends when they are unable to cook. —Helen McPhee, Savoy, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 576 calories, 30g fat (17g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. 16/31 Southwestern Casserole 76 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Southwestern Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 2 casseroles (6 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve been making this mild
family-pleasing southwest casserole for years
family-pleasing southwest casserole for years. It tastes wonderful and fits nicely into our budget. Best of all, the recipe makes a second casserole to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 321 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 673mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. 17/31 Cheesy Potatoes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a four-generation Idaho family, we love our potatoes and cook with them
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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