There’s something about a warm, hearty casserole that takes us back to simpler times. It’s not just the taste, but the memories it evokes—family gatherings, laughter around the dining table, and, of course, the unparalleled comfort of Grandma’s cooking. Whether it’s a chilly winter evening or a busy weekday dinner, these seven comfort casserole recipes are your ticket to recreating those cherished moments.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Ingredients:
- 12 oz egg noodles
- 2 cans of tuna in water, drained
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup of frozen peas
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of crispy fried onions
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions, then drain. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, milk, and 1 cup of cheese. Transfer to a baking dish, top with the remaining cheese and crispy onions. Bake for 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and diced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1/2 cup sliced celery
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a saucepan, cook carrots, peas, and celery in boiling water for about 8 minutes, then drain. In another saucepan, cook onion in butter until soft. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside. Place one pie crust in a pie pan. Add the chicken and veggie mixture. Pour the hot liquid mixture over. Cover with the second crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
Baked Ziti with Ricotta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ziti pasta
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 (24 oz) jars marinara sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the pasta al dente, drain. In a skillet, cook the onion and ground beef until browned. Stir in marinara sauce. In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and basil. In a baking dish, layer half the pasta, the ricotta mixture, the meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup of cheese for topping. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and half of the butter in a bowl. Spread into a baking dish. Mix the remaining butter, brown sugar, flour, and pecans until crumbly and sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture. Bake for 25 minutes. Top with marshmallows and bake for another 10 minutes, until marshmallows are golden brown.
Beef and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a skillet, cook the beef and onion until browned. Add mushrooms, peas, and carrots, cooking until tender. Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, simmering until thickened. Spread the beef mixture in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, until the potato peaks are golden brown.
Classic Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg and 1/2 teaspoon salt. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
These timeless casserole recipes are more than just meals; they’re a way to reconnect with the past, bring families together, and enjoy the simple pleasure of home-cooked comfort food. So, the next time you’re looking to capture the essence of Grandma’s cooking, turn to these classic dishes for a taste that feels like home.