Christmas dinner is a lot easier when half the menu can be built in a baking dish the night before. Casseroles feed a crowd, travel well to family gatherings, and free up your stovetop for everything else. This list covers the whole holiday, from Christmas morning breakfast bakes to cheesy side dishes and hearty mains that can anchor the table on their own. You’ll find classics like green bean and sweet potato casserole alongside a few new favorites worth adding to your rotation. Pick a few, prep ahead, and spend more of the day with the people you love.
24. Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini turns the day-after bird into a creamy, comforting pasta bake. Tender spaghetti, mushrooms and shredded turkey get folded into a rich Parmesan cream sauce, then baked under a golden breadcrumb topping. It comes together fast with ingredients you probably already have after the big meal, and it feeds a houseful of guests with almost no effort. This is the recipe that makes everyone glad you cooked a bigger turkey than you needed.
Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook mushrooms and onion 6 minutes.
- Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
- Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in broth and milk. Simmer until thick, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan, salt and pepper.
- Toss sauce with spaghetti, turkey and peas.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Mix panko, melted butter and remaining Parmesan. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly.
23. Gruyère Cauliflower Gratin
This Gruyère Cauliflower Gratin is a low-carb side dish that is definitely holiday-worthy. The cauliflower is cooked until tender, then covered with a rich sauce of Gruyère cheese, cream and nutmeg, and topped with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Make sure you have extra serving spoons because everyone will want some. This is the perfect side dish to serve next to a roast beef or ham or maybe even a roast chicken. Don’t be surprised when the low-carb crowd and the cheese lovers both go back for seconds.
Gruyère Cauliflower Gratin
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Boil cauliflower 5 minutes. Drain well.
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk. Simmer until thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Gruyère, Parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Spread cauliflower in a greased 9×13 dish. Pour sauce over top.
- Sprinkle with remaining Gruyère.
- Toss panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden.
22. Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole ensures zucchini has a seat at the holiday table! Zucchini and onions are sauteed, and mixed into a creamy combination of sour cream, cream cheese and Parmesan, topped with cubed Gruyère and a layer of buttery panko breadcrumbs, and baked for about 40 minutes until bubbling hot and crisp and golden on top. Bonus points for being able to prepare it ahead of time and pop it in the oven just before serving, making it ideal for the frenzied holiday kitchen!
21. Mushroom Wild Rice Casserole
Add some hearty goodness to your holiday menu with Mushroom Wild Rice Casserole. A great accompaniment to any holiday roast, this casserole also doubles as a filling vegetarian main course during the holiday season. Wild rice teams up with browned mushrooms and onions, fresh thyme and a light, creamy sauce in this casserole which is baked until the wild rice is tender and the flavors are married. Bonus points for Mushroom Wild Rice Casserole include its ability to reheat well, making the leftovers a boon for easy lunches during that crazy stretch of days after Christmas!
Mushroom Wild Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Cook rice in broth according to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook mushrooms, onion and celery 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add garlic and thyme. Cook 1 minute.
- Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Add cream. Simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in rice, Parmesan, salt and pepper.
- Spread in a greased 2-quart baking dish.
- Bake covered 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes more.
20. Beef Stroganoff Casserole
Beef Stroganoff Casserole is an easy twist on a comfort food classic. This easy-to-make casserole will help you feed a crowd. Browned ground beef and mushrooms are tossed with tender egg noodles and a tangy sour cream sauce and topped with a layer of cheese that melts into a savory, creamy bake. Beef Stroganoff Casserole is a hearty dinner perfect for a cold December evening, Christmas Eve dinner, or a laid-back family get-together when you need to serve a filling dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
Beef Stroganoff Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook noodles 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain.
- Brown beef and onion in a large skillet. Drain fat.
- Add mushrooms. Cook 5 minutes.
- Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
- Stir in flour.
- Add broth, Worcestershire and Dijon. Simmer 5 minutes until thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper.
- Toss with noodles. Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Top with mozzarella.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
19. Turkey Sausage Pasta Bake
Turkey Sausage Pasta Bake brings the flavors of an Italian restaurant dinner to a hearty holiday casserole. Savory turkey sausage cooks in a rich homemade tomato sauce before being layered with tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and plenty of mozzarella. The casserole bakes until the cheese is melted and bubbling, making it a filling option for Christmas Eve or an Italian-style family dinner. Assemble everything earlier in the day and keep it refrigerated, then place the dish in the oven when guests arrive so it can be served hot.
18. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Creamy Spinach Artichoke Casserole takes everyone’s favorite party dip and turns it into a hot holiday side. Spinach and tender artichoke hearts are baked with cream cheese and sour cream and loads of Parmesan and mozzarella in a deliciously creamy, bubbling casserole. It goes with roast beef, ham, turkey, anything! It’s the perfect side dish for holidays, especially when the menu and table are lacking in green. Plus, there’ll be enough leftover to eat the next day with some crackers or toasted bread or sliced vegetables.
Creamy Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Beat cream cheese, sour cream, mayo and garlic until smooth.
- Stir in spinach, artichokes, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella and seasonings.
- Spread in a greased 2-quart baking dish.
- Top with remaining mozzarella.
- Toss panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly.
17. Eggnog Bread Pudding
Eggnog Bread Pudding is the sweet casserole on the list, but it deserves to be there. Brioche cubes are doused in a spiced eggnog custard (with cinnamon and nutmeg) and baked until puffy and golden on top and custardy on the inside. Top it off with a simple vanilla glaze or serve it with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s perfect for a cozy holiday dessert, and even better on as a rich breakfast or brunch dish for Christmas morning.
Eggnog Bread Pudding
Ingredients
Method
- Spread brioche in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Whisk eggs, eggnog, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter.
- Pour over bread. Press down to soak.
- Let sit 30 minutes, or cover and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake 45 to 50 minutes until set.
- Whisk powdered sugar, eggnog and vanilla for the glaze.
- Drizzle glaze over warm bread pudding.
16. Cheesy Chicken Butternut Squash Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Butternut Squash Casserole is a tasty, hearty meal in a dish. Tender chicken and sweet butternut squash melded into a creamy, savory, and tangy sour cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan mixture, and topped with nutty Gruyère and a crispy, golden, buttery, panko crust. The final product is an absolutely delicious casserole. Makes 10 to 12 servings. A great dish for a large family dinner or holiday gathering like Christmas. You can also make it ahead of time, freeze it and bake when needed, which is perfect for entertaining.
15. Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is an easy way to enjoy this classic dish without rolling and stuffing individual chicken breasts. Tender chicken layered with sliced deli ham and Swiss cheese and baked in a creamy Dijon sauce comes out of the oven under a crisp, golden, buttered breadcrumb topping. With just a few simple ingredients, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole comes together quickly to make a perfect family or holiday casserole for your table. Make it on Christmas Eve or find an easy way to use that leftover Christmas ham.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread chicken in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Layer ham, then Swiss cheese on top.
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk. Simmer until thick.
- Stir in Dijon, garlic powder, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
- Pour sauce over casserole.
- Toss panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden.
14. Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese
Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese makes a fantastic accompaniment to a simple green salad to make a quick and easy Christmas Eve dinner! It’s a great option if your family loves seafood or has a tradition of enjoying seafood during the holiday season. Tender pasta is mixed with juicy shrimp, sweet lump crab meat and a creamy cheese sauce then baked until it’s topped with a crisp, golden crust. Serve it as a hearty entrée during Christmas Eve or serve smaller portions along with steak to make a classic surf-and-turf at your next get-together.
Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain.
- Melt butter in a large pot. Whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk and cream. Simmer until thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar, 1 cup Gruyère, Old Bay, salt and pepper.
- Fold in pasta, shrimp and crab.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Top with remaining Gruyère.
- Toss panko with melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes until shrimp are pink and bubbly.
13. Brussels Sprouts Casserole with Crispy Onions
This Brussels Sprouts Casserole with Crispy Onions is the perfect alternative to a green bean casserole for Christmas dinner. Even your Brussels sprout avoiding guests may ask for seconds of this creamy, garlicky casserole. Pre-blanching Brussels sprouts tenderizes them and takes edge of their strong flavor. Baked with mushrooms in a thyme-laden creamy sauce then topped with salty, crunchy, crispy fried onions, Brussels sprouts casserole is earthy, hearty, and savory. Serve alongside turkey, ham, or roast beef.
12. Broccoli Cheddar Rice Casserole
Serve this Broccoli Rice Casserole alongside Christmas ham, roast turkey or chicken. This easy-to-make recipe is a real hit with kids and adults alike. Feeds a large family with little extra work. Broccoli Rice Casserole is a yummy combination of fluffy rice and tender broccoli florets baked together in a creamy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce. It’s easy to make and doesn’t take much effort to assemble. Bake the casserole until the top is golden and bubbling around the edges. Guests will love scooping some onto their plates.
Broccoli Cheddar Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Steam broccoli 3 minutes.
- Melt butter in a large pot. Cook onion 4 minutes.
- Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk and broth. Simmer until thick.
- Stir in 2 cups cheddar and seasonings.
- Fold in rice and broccoli.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish. Top with remaining cheddar.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly.
11. Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Casserole
Leave room for gifts under the tree and for this Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Casserole in your Christmas brunch menu. This make-ahead breakfast is loaded with all of your favorite bagel and lox components (including everything bagels and smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and chives) and they’re all soaked overnight in a custard of eggs and half-and-half. Top with Swiss and pop into the oven on Christmas morning, leaving you more time to spend with your family and open presents. It’s garlicky and salty and creamy and melts together just like all of your favorite bagel shop breakfasts do.
10. Ham and Swiss Scalloped Potatoes
Ham and Swiss Scalloped Potatoes can easily be made into a complete meal with only a crisp green salad. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with diced ham and Swiss cheese. After bathing the potatoes with a deliciously creamy sauce they are cooked until tender with a nice golden crust on top. This is a great way to use leftover Christmas Ham, but could easily be prepared as part of your Christmas dinner. This classic holiday side is made into a dish that is meaty enough to serve as the entree.
Ham and Swiss Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Cook onion 4 minutes.
- Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk and cream. Simmer until thick.
- Stir in salt, pepper and thyme.
- In a greased 9×13 dish, layer half the potatoes, half the ham, 1/2 cup Swiss and half the sauce.
- Repeat the layers.
- Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes.
- Uncover. Top with remaining 1 cup Swiss.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until tender and golden.
9. Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Take all of the amazing flavors of this iconic Philly cheesesteak and put them into a share-able casserole form. Thinly sliced beef, sauteed onions & peppers and provolone cheese layered with toasted hoagie rolls and baked until hot and bubbly. Make this Philly Cheesesteak Casserole as a hearty entree for casual holiday gatherings. Save yourself some last minute cooking. Perfect for a Christmas Eve dinner, a party, a game or just a more casual family dinner instead of a more traditional roast.
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Toss bread cubes with melted butter. Spread in a 9×13 dish.
- Toast in oven 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Cook onion and pepper 8 minutes. Remove.
- Sear steak in batches, 2 to 3 minutes each.
- Return onion and pepper to the skillet.
- Stir in Worcestershire, broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Spoon steak mixture over bread.
- Top with provolone.
- Bake 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Sausage Cranberry Stuffing Casserole
Serve this sausage cranberry stuffing casserole alongside turkey or ham for Christmas dinner. Toasted bread cubes are tossed with browned sausage, celery, onions, and fresh sage. Dried cranberries lend a sweet-tart flavor and chicken broth keeps it moist. Baked in the oven, the edges turn crispy and golden, but the stuffing is still moist and tender. Make extra meaty stuffing into a main dish by increasing the amount of sausage and serving in larger portions along side a salad or some vegetables.
Sausage Cranberry Stuffing Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Toast bread cubes on a baking sheet 15 minutes.
- Brown sausage in a skillet. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Melt butter in the same skillet. Cook onion and celery 8 minutes.
- Add sage and thyme. Cook 1 minute.
- Add vegetables, bread and cranberries to the bowl.
- Whisk eggs, broth, salt and pepper. Pour over and toss.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Cover with foil. Bake 25 minutes.
- Uncover. Bake 20 minutes more until golden.
7. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole has all of the creamy and cheesy goodness you’d expect from such a fabulous-sounding dish. Make-ahead Million Dollar Chicken Casserole with crushed Ritz cracker and Cheddar cheese topping that crisps in the oven over shredded rotisserie chicken (which makes it super-easy to prepare), bacon, sour cream, mayo, cream of chicken soup and cream cheese. Assemble all of Million Dollar Chicken Casserole up to 1 day ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake before serving at a deliciously cheesy holiday dinner.
6. Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is a sweet way to start Christmas morning. Pieces of chopped up cinnamon rolls are given plenty of time to soak up a vanilla and cinnamon infused custard overnight. When it’s baked, it emerges puffed and golden, and has the right amount of crunchy, caramelized edges. Topped with some drizzled icing that melts into the casserole as it’s poured over the warm dish, this will have everyone coming back for seconds. Most of the work can be completed the night before Christmas so that this dish will be cooking while the presents are getting unwrapped.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Pour melted butter into a 9×13 dish.
- Cut each cinnamon roll into 8 pieces. Spread in the dish.
- Whisk eggs, cream, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Pour over rolls.
- Cover and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Warm icing 10 seconds in the microwave. Drizzle over top.
5. Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Casserole
Depending on which dish it is baked in, this casserole is either scoopable and soft, if made in an 8×8-inch pan, or firm enough to cut into squares, if baked in a 9×13-inch pan. With only six ingredients, corn kernels, creamed corn, sour cream, and corn muffin mix bake up soft and pudding-like and are smothered in melted sharp cheddar, and pickled jalapeños are baked right in. The heat of the peppers is tempered by the sweetness of the corn making the heat of this dish approachable by all, a perfect addition to a holiday menu.
4. Sausage and Egg Christmas Morning Strata
For an easy make-ahead recipe for Christmas morning cooking, look no further than our Sausage and Egg Christmas Morning Strata. This deliciously simple recipe combines cubes of crusty bread, browned sausage, sharp cheddar and green onions which soak in a savory egg custard overnight to bake up into a puffed and golden, cheesy, soft-centered with browned edges casserole which is sure to please. Assemble the casserole the night before and bake in the morning, while everyone is busy opening gifts and sipping their coffee. This hearty breakfast will keep everyone full until dinner is ready.
Sausage and Egg Christmas Morning Strata
Ingredients
Method
- Brown sausage in a skillet. Drain.
- In a greased 9×13 dish, layer half the bread, sausage, cheddar and green onions.
- Repeat the layers.
- Whisk eggs, milk, Dijon, salt and pepper.
- Pour over casserole. Press bread down.
- Cover and chill overnight.
- Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake uncovered 50 to 55 minutes until set.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel is a sweet and crunchy addition to your holiday menu. Although served alongside other more savory dishes, the casserole tastes like a dessert. The mashed sweet potatoes are whipped with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices until they’re perfectly smooth, then topped with a crumbly pecan streusel that turns into a crispy, buttery, golden-brown crust in the oven. The texture is heavenly. Save yourself some time on Christmas Day by making the sweet potato layer a day ahead and refrigerating. Add the streusel just before baking.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel
Ingredients
Method
- Boil sweet potatoes 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Drain.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mash potatoes with butter, brown sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Mix pecans, brown sugar, flour, melted butter and salt for the streusel.
- Sprinkle streusel over top.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes until golden.
2. Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole
Wonderful side dish for Christmas morning brunch or served with either ham or turkey for dinner. Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole is a hearty side that feeds a crowd. The casserole is a combination of shredded hash browns mixed with sour cream, cheddar, onion, cream of chicken soup making a creamy, hearty potato casserole with lots of cheesy flavor. The casserole is then topped with buttery cornflakes and baked in the oven till the topping is crisp, golden and crunchy. Leftovers can be served the next day making it easy to serve again.
Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix hash browns, sour cream, soup, cheddar, onion, 1/4 cup butter, salt and pepper.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Toss cornflakes with remaining butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake 45 to 50 minutes until bubbly and golden.
1. From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole
From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole is the next-level version of a holiday favorite. With little more work involved, fresh green beans are blanched until crisp-tender and baked in a creamy, savory mushroom sauce made without canned soup and under a generous pile of crispy fried onions. Serve up a heaping helping of this dependable Christmas dinner side dish alongside turkey, ham, roast beef, or your favorite entrée and dig in. Each bite will have the creamy-yet-crunchy texture this casserole is known for, with crisp-tender green beans to prove it is better when made from scratch.
From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Boil green beans 4 minutes. Plunge into ice water. Drain.
- Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook mushrooms 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add shallots and garlic. Cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in broth and half-and-half. Simmer 5 minutes until thick.
- Stir in Worcestershire, salt, pepper and Parmesan.
- Toss sauce with green beans and 1 cup fried onions.
- Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
- Bake 15 minutes.
- Top with remaining fried onions. Bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
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