Varying from traditional roasted meats, deciding on a centerpiece for your Christmas feast can be a bit more challenging when it comes to creating a delicious casserole. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve curated 28 mouth-watering recipes that are sure to impress your guests and satisfy their taste buds. From classic combinations to innovative twists, these dishes will help you fill your Christmas table with an assortment of flavors and textures.
Butternut Squash Casserole
Generally speaking, a festive way to celebrate Christmas is by incorporating seasonal winter vegetables into your menu. In this particular recipe, we’ve combined the natural sweetness of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and red peppers with the nutty flavor of bulgur wheat, the tanginess of chopped tomatoes, and the richness of red wine and vegetable stock for a truly heartwarming casserole.
To add an extra layer of depth to this dish, we’ve incorporated warm spices like cumin and paprika, making it perfect when paired with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top.
Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin
Not surprisingly, many home cooks struggle to achieve perfection in classic French dishes like Potatoes au gratin. Also known as Dauphinoise, this popular recipe involves layering thinly sliced potatoes with a rich cream-butter-garlic mixture and generous amounts of cheese. For an added touch of festivity, try substituting white potatoes with sweet potatoes, which bring a warm, inviting color to the table.
This simple yet elegant baked dish is sure to impress, but requires careful attention to detail to get it just right.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Often overlooked as a sweet treat option, this yam and marshmallow casserole is surprisingly simple to make with just 7 essential ingredients. Yams and marshmallows form the foundation of this delightful dish, making it an ideal choice for vegetarians who have a penchant for sweet flavors. To prepare the casserole, you’ll need to mash together yams, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg, and butter to create a smooth mixture.
Divide this mixture in half and place one portion in a baking dish, topping it with a layer of marshmallows. Cover the marshmallows with the remaining yam mixture and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Once the casserole has been removed from the oven, take the opportunity to add an additional layer of marshmallows on top.
Allow these marshmallows to lightly brown under the broiler for a few minutes, giving them a golden-brown appearance that perfectly complements the sweetness of the yams and marshmallows.
Party Potatoes
Loaded Red Potato Casserole
Everyone loves a good twist on a classic dish, and what’s not to love about mashed red potatoes topped with cheddar cheese and crispy cooked bacon? The addition of creamy sour cream and fragrant chives takes this meal idea to the next level, elevating it from a simple comfort food to a truly decadent delight that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Scalloped Potatoes And Ham Casserole
Generally speaking, this casserole has multiple layers similar to those found in lasagna or Greek moussaka. The structure begins with a layer of sliced potatoes, followed by a layer of ham, and then topped with homemade cream sauce. This layering process is repeated until all ingredients have been used, ensuring that the final layer consists of a generous helping of creamy goodness.
Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Prepared with convenience in mind, you can still create a delicious breakfast or brunch dish using refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Simply cut them into individual portions and place them in a baking dish. Then, whisk together an egg, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to make a creamy mixture. Pour this over the top of the cinnamon rolls, ensuring they’re evenly coated.
Biscuits And Gravy Casserole
Taking center stage on Christmas day is a delectable 5-ingredient casserole that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Whether you’re gathering around the table for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this mouth-watering dish is sure to impress. The key to its rich flavor lies in the sausage gravy, carefully crafted with the savory drippings of breakfast sausage, a generous pat of butter, a sprinkle of flour, and a dash of milk.
Meanwhile, the sausages themselves are cooked alongside eggs, milk, cheddar cheese, and flaky biscuits, resulting in a satisfying medley of textures and tastes. To complete this Christmas feast, simply season with salt and pepper to taste, pop it into the oven for approximately half an hour, and indulge in the fruits of your labor with your morning coffee or afternoon/evening wine
Apple-Cranberry And Rosemary Stuffing Casserole
Fresh from the oven, a mouth-watering stuffing casserole emerges, filled with tender bread cubes, sautéed celery and onion for added crunch, sweet red apples that add a pop of flavor, tart cranberries for a tangy twist, and a medley of herbs that elevate this dish to new heights. This versatile recipe can be used as a filling for your next chicken or turkey dinner, or serve it warm as a side salad straight from the table.
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Known for its tantalizing name and delectable ingredients, this casserole was destined to be a top pick. The recipe begins by layering small pieces of butter croissants at the bottom of a baking dish, providing a crispy foundation. Next, cooked ham, onion, and bell peppers are combined in a harmonious blend. Following this mixture is a rich and creamy layer crafted with milk, half-and-half, hot sauce, eggs, and a generous helping of cheese.
To add an extra layer of flavor, the top is sprinkled with additional cheese before being baked in the oven for 45 minutes.
Eggs Benedict Strata
Elevate the classic Eggs Benedict with a Canadian twist by incorporating Canadian bacon into this casserole. Add English muffins as its base layer, followed by a generous helping of eggs and crispy bacon on top. Just before serving, pour over your homemade Hollandaise sauce to add an extra layer of richness and indulgence.
Creamy Turkey Casserole
Just because you’re hosting a small gathering over the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on flavor. When laying out a Christmas table for just two or three people, roasting a large turkey might be more than you need, but that’s no reason to miss out on this festive poultry meal entirely. This casserole dish is made with shredded cooked turkey, 3 types of condensed cream of soups, rice, cheese, chestnuts, mayonnaise, mushrooms, broccoli, and croutons. The best part?
It’s ridiculously easy to make – simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and transfer them to a baking dish for a quick and effortless bake. Perfect for those last-minute Christmas meal emergencies, this recipe is sure to save the day.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Just what you need this holiday season is a delicious and easy-to-make casserole recipe that’s perfect for serving alongside your roasted turkey or as a standalone dish. Whether you’re looking to add some variety to your Christmas menu or simply want a meatless option, this cheesy potato casserole fits the bill. To get started, combine hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and cheese in a large bowl until well mixed.
Transfer the mixture to your casserole dish, and then top it with a blend of melted butter and crushed cornflakes before baking for 35-40 minutes.
Chorizo, Pork Belly, And Chickpea Casserole
Wrapped around Christmas festivities is a perfect excuse to indulge in pork belly’s lusciousness. Its unapologetic richness, paired with the bold flavors of chorizo slices, the subtle sweetness of carrots, fennel seeds, and sherry vinegar, makes this casserole a true showstopper. Even more impressive, canned chickpeas are added to the mix, amplifying the dish’s nutritional profile by incorporating extra fiber and protein, making it an even more wholesome treat for all.
Slow Cooker Pork Casserole
Considering you’ll be spending Christmas day cooking in the morning, it’s likely you’re looking for recipes that can simmer away while you focus on other tasks. This slow cooker casserole is an excellent addition to your list, combining tender pork shoulder steaks with sautéed onions, leeks, and carrots, along with a medley of woody herbs that release their fragrant aromas as they cook.
The inclusion of Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, and honey adds a delightful balance of sweetness, tartness, and subtle heat, making for a heartwarming meal to enjoy throughout the day.
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
For a truly exceptional casserole, such as this one, some preparation is required ahead of time. This involves allowing your bread to sit out overnight or for at least 24 hours before proceeding with the recipe. The next day, add the cubed bread pieces to the bottom of the dish and pour over them a rich pumpkin mixture. It’s then necessary to refrigerate the dish and crumb topping together for another day, allowing the flavors to meld and mature.
Once this time has passed, bake everything in the oven for approximately an hour, resulting in a truly show-stopping dish that is sure to impress on Christmas Day.
Pecan Pie French Toast Casserole
Often, French toast is associated with pumpkin dishes, especially during the holiday season. However, if you’re not a fan of pumpkin or want to offer something different on your Christmas table, this recipe is perfect for you. Instead of using traditional bread and toppings, try making this unique casserole with cubes of bread and a rich cream made from eggs, heavy cream, milk, butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup.
To add some extra crunch, toss in some pecans before baking the casserole until golden brown. Serve it warm with either melted nut butter or a thick syrup made by combining butter and maple syrup.
Baked Ziti
Lifting the lid on what truly sets baked Ziti apart from other pasta bakes, it’s clear that this casserole is more than just a Bolognese-inspired dish – its rich meat and tomato sauce filling is so decadent, you’ll want to devour it with reckless abandon. Make this recipe and get ready for the ultimate finger-licking experience!
Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole
Since many people are looking for alternatives to traditional pork recipes or simply want to indulge in their love of sausages, we have created an alternative slow cooker recipe that’s perfect for sausage enthusiasts.
Blueberry Breakfast Casserole
Oozing with festive spirit, this blueberry casserole is not just limited to lunch and dinner, but can also be a delightful breakfast option. The recipe itself is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal ingredients and effort to prepare. Simply combine the mixture of oats, cream of wheat, and brown sugar, then gently fold in the blueberries and nuts before transferring it to a dish for 45-50 minutes of baking time.
This wholesome morning meal idea strikes a perfect balance between indulgence and healthiness, allowing you to indulge in a Christmas dessert later without any guilt.
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
You’ll adore the combination of tender chicken (or turkey) paired with sautéed zucchini, carrots, and onions, all swaddled in a rich, creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup and topped generously with a melty layer of cheddar cheese. The only challenge lies in resisting its allure while you’re waiting for your guests to arrive – it’s that good!
Green Bean Casserole
Rounding out any meal with a satisfying and flavorful vegetable dish is key to impressing even the most discerning palates. This green bean casserole, packed with a medley of textures from mushrooms, crunchy green beans, and crispy onions on top, is sure to delight both vegetarian and meat-lover alike. Its rich and creamy sauce, achieved through a combination of butter, olive oil, flour, and milk, provides a depth of flavor that will leave everyone wanting more.
Whether you’re looking for a side dish or a main event, this recipe is the perfect solution!
Ham And Swiss Potato Casserole
Having a delicious and easy-to-make dish for Christmas can be a huge relief, especially when there’s a crowd to feed. One such recipe that fits the bill perfectly is the ham and Swiss potato casserole. To start building this festive treat, place a layer of boiled potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Cover them with slices of ham, followed by a generous helping of cheese, and finish it off with a rich bechamel sauce.
To add some crunch to the top, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and butter over the bechamel sauce. Then, pop the casserole in the oven and bake it uncovered for 20 minutes. That’s right; you can have this mouth-watering dish ready in no time without breaking a sweat. And what’s more, it’s one of the simplest recipes you’ll ever come across, yet it still manages to bring that festive spirit to your Christmas table!
Ham And Veggie Casserole
Looking for an alternative to traditional potatoes, why not try combining diced ham with some healthy vegetables such as steamed cauliflower and broccoli? This will add a nice twist to your dish without sacrificing flavor.
Chicken And Swiss Stuffing Casserole
Using chicken breasts is ideal for this casserole, as they provide a versatile base for the rich and creamy filling. Veering away from traditional recipes, the addition of chicken stuffing mixed with butter, water, a couple of cans of cream of chicken soup, and slices of Swiss cheese adds an extra layer of flavor without making it too complicated to prepare. Very little cooking expertise is required to make this dish, as you only need one hour to bake the casserole in the oven.
If you’re unsure what to serve alongside it, we recommend pairing it with some cranberry sauce or tomato chutney, accompanied by a simple side of green beans or steamed broccoli for a well-rounded meal.
Turkey, Spinach, And Stuffing Casserole
Zest up your mealtime with a one-pan recipe that not only saves you time from washing multiple dishes afterward but also makes great use of leftover Thanksgiving turkey! This dish combines all the flavors of the holiday season in one convenient pan. Using a large saucepan, bring butter and chicken broth to a boil, then immediately turn off the heat. Next, mix in the stuffing mix, leftover turkey, fresh spinach leaves, and dried cranberries.
Finally, top it with plenty of cheese and bake for 15 minutes, ensuring that the cheese is melted to perfection before serving.
Chicken Florentine Casserole
Revamping the traditional casserole with an assortment of savory ingredients not only amplifies its flavor profile but also provides a satisfying combination of protein and carbohydrates. The inclusion of chicken, Swiss cheese, creamed spinach, condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices already elevates this dish to a new level, making it a comforting meal for anyone who partakes in it.
However, the addition of elbow macaroni not only addresses the carb requirement but also ensures that each bite is a delightful balance of textures and tastes, reminiscent of a hearty mac ‘n’ cheese, yet more substantial due to its multifaceted composition.
Frequently Asked Question
Most baked meals in countries such as the U.S. consist of three fundamental components: protein sources like chicken, turkey, ham, tuna, and other varieties; carbohydrate sources including potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, bread, and more; and vegetables such as canned peas or fresh broccoli.
