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Simply Recipes Aaron Hutcherson
There's something about pulling a warm casserole out of the oven on a chilly fall evening that just screams cozy and comforting. It's a delicious acceptance that summer is over and cooler weather is just around the corner.
These 19 casseroles span the gamut from weeknight warriors and make-ahead brunches to weekend projects; there's something for everyone. As you look for what's next on your to-cook list, read through the helpful tips, tricks, and swaps from our editors, contributors, and readers.
1. Eggplant Parmesan
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"My only modifications were to add fresh oregano with the fresh basil in the sauce and chopped spinach (1 whole bunch) in each layer right before adding the sauce for the next layer. The spinach adds a whole lot more leafy green vegetables so it's not just breaded eggplant in this dish." —Craig, Simply Recipes Reader
2. Chili Mac and Cheese
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"The chili mixture is mild in terms of the spice level, so heat seekers might want to add in some crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño." —Aaron Hutcherson, Simply Recipes Contributor
3. Sweet Potato Casserole With Pecans
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"To do most of the work ahead, but still keep the crunchiness of the topping, make the whole casserole ahead of time but leave the topping off. Refrigerate the unbaked casserole up to 2 days ahead of time. To bake, bring to room temperature. Make the topping, add it to the casserole, and pop in the oven." —Lisa Lin, Simply Recipes Contributor
4. Chicken and Rice Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Michelle Becker
"This recipe assumes the rice requires about 1 1/2 cups of liquid per cup of rice to cook. Some rice varieties, such as brown rice, require more liquid (and a longer cooking time). Adjust recipe accordingly." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder
5. Cheeseburger Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Dude that Cookz
"Keeping the cooked pasta separate from the other prepped ingredients prevents the pasta from absorbing too much liquid in storage and getting mushy." —Eric Jones, Simply Recipes Contributor
6. Cauliflower Gratin
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"To make it lower carb, we substituted half and half for the milk, chickpea flour for the flour, and almond meal for the breadcrumbs. It looked fabulous and got lots of compliments." —Emily, Simply Recipes Reader
7. Stuffed Shells
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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
"When boiling the jumbo shells, check the directions on the package for the cooking time and then subtract 1-2 minutes, since the shells are going to bake again in the oven and you don’t want them to be too soft at the start." —Sally Vargas, Simply Recipes Contributor
8. Twice Baked Potato Casserole
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Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes
"The joy of a baked potato dinner is the endless possibilities for toppings, and that joy exists with this casserole too! Our recipe starts with the classics: Cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and scallions; but use this as a jumping off point and feel free to swap in some of your favorites." —Brianne Ross, Simply Recipes Contributor
9. Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Nick Evans
"Add diced jalapeños or roasted poblano peppers to the filling for a spicier version." —Nick Evans, Simply Recipes Contributor
10. French Toast Casserole
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"You can absolutely make this recipe straight through and bake it right away, but for a totally hands-off and hassle-free morning, assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning when you get up. This actually gives the bread even more time to soak up the milk, which makes the inside of the baked casserole more custardy and decadent." —Lisa
11. Tuna and Tomato Pasta Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
"Tuna packed in olive oil is highly recommended for this recipe. If all you have is tuna packed in water, you can try draining it and then adding olive oil to the can, and letting it soak in the olive oil in the fridge for several hours." —Elise
12. Trinidadian Macaroni Pie
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Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse
"Bucatini is a popular choice for macaroni pie, but you can certainly use elbows. The idea is to choose a tubular pasta shape that will capture the seasonings and delicious sauce inside the noodle." —Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse, Simply Recipes Contributor
13. Chicken Taco Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
"This is a layered casserole and my favorite trick is to line the bottom of the dish with crispy corn tostadas so that when baked, the bottom doesn't stick to the dish." —Nick
14. Potatoes Au Gratin
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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
"To prep the potatoes, peel them (or don’t if you want a more rustic dish) and slice them thinly (approximately 1/8-inch) with a knife, a mandoline, or the easiest by far, the 4mm slicing disk of your food processor." —Sally
15. Monte Cristo Croissant Casserole
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Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
"Buy your croissants in advance, as stale ones will soak up the egg mixture better." —Jasmine Smith, Simply Recipes Recipe Developer and Tester
16. Three Sisters Casserole with Cornbread Topping
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"Very good! The seasonings really give the veggies flavor. I used sweet potato instead of squash. I did not make the cornbread topping because I didn't have cornmeal but will try it next time. I served over brown rice and quinoa to add some more calories and make it a meal. Also added some shredded cheese!" —Heather, Simply Recipes Reader
17. Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake
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"Nutmeg is an essential spice for the white sauce. That said, it is easy to overdo it. Start with a small amount, 1/4 teaspoon, and add more if needed." —Elise
18. Reuben Casserole
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"This casserole is the perfect make-ahead meal. Make this recipe the night before, cover, and keep in the fridge unbaked, then just pop it in the oven when you get home from work." —Summer Miller, Simply Recipes Contributor
19. Scalloped Potatoes with Caramelized Onions and Gruyere
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"As you slice the potatoes, put them in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from turning gray. Drain and pat dry before using." —Elise