I Tried Our 5 Most Popular Casseroles—Here’s the Recipe I’m Saving

There’s nothing better than pulling a golden, bubbling casserole from the oven on a hectic weeknight—instant dinner hero status achieved. Casseroles have this magical ability to feel both effortlessly casual and special-occasion worthy, plus they feed a crowd without breaking a sweat or dirtying 17 dishes.

With school chaos in full swing, I’m shamelessly declaring this casserole season and decided to expand my repertoire beyond our usual suspects. I dove headfirst into Allrecipes’ top five most-saved casserole recipes to see which ones deserve a permanent spot in the dinner rotation. 

What Makes a Great Casserole? 

When we’re assembling a one-dish wonder, we want a true crowd-pleaser—something that wins over picky eaters, carb-lovers, and suspicious salad people alike. To me, there are three crucial factors.

1. Flavor: Since everything’s baked together in one glorious dish, the flavors need to be balanced—neither bland nor a salt lick in disguise. Fresh herbs, a liberal hand with the spice rack, and plenty of aromatics keep things lively.
2. Texture: A proper casserole marries creamy comfort with a crunchy topping. We want contrast and nuance here, not something that reminds you of baby food. 
3. Ease Factor: A casserole should feed a crowd without triggering stress hives. These dishes are often made to comfort neighbors or loved ones. I swear you can actually taste anxiety, which has no business in the kitchen. Simplicity isn’t just good for your nerves; it improves the flavor, too. 

Meet the Contenders

The Results

Best For Taco Night

• The recipe: Taco Bake Casserole, submitted by Cherie Burgett 
• Average rating: 4.7 stars
• Rave review: “This was very simple and quick. My kids loved it. Definitely going on my dinner menus in the future” —Selena Lang

We’re a taco night family through and through, but sometimes you need something with a little more oomph than the usual Tuesday routine. Enter this casserole, which takes everything you love about taco night and turns it up to 11. Cherie browns ground beef with onions, then folds in refried beans, black olives, green chiles, and a generous dose of salsa before layering it all with crushed taco shells and cheese. My family deemed it “even better than regular taco night.” When you can impress true taco aficionados, you know you’ve struck gold.

Best For Italian Cravings

• The recipe: Johnny Marzetti Casserole, submitted by KC
• Average rating: 4.6 stars
• Rave review: “New family favorite! So easy!” —Lisa Wain

Few things hit the spot on a chilly night quite like a hearty, Italian-style casserole that delivers all the lasagna vibes without the fuss. KC starts by browning ground beef with Italian sausage, then builds a rich, aromatic base with onions, celery, garlic, bell peppers, tomato sauce, and a perfect blend of seasonings. Layer the filling with noodles and cheese, give the casserole 45 minutes in the oven, and you’ve got pure comfort food with just enough sophistication to make it feel special. Everyone at the table loved this one. 

Best Base Recipe

This might be the ultimate lazy (read: tired) cook’s dream—and somehow it delivers really satisfying results. Just toss cubed chicken breast, instant rice, and three different cream soups directly into your casserole dish, dot the top with butter pats, and let the oven work its magic. What emerges is pure comfort that tastes far more complex than it is. Plus, it’s basically a blank canvas begging for your personal touch: Throw in some frozen peas, broccoli, extra cheese, or whatever’s lurking in your fridge. Often, the simplest recipes are the most brilliant—and the best for adding your own creativity to the mix. 

Kid Friendliest

• The Recipe: Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole, submitted by LaDonna Langwell
• Average Rating: 4.5 stars
• Rave Review: “Wicked great try this your family will love this. Even the most critical ones will love this.” —Joe

This recipe won our hearts with simple, homey flavors that kids actually love. Brown some seasoned ground beef and layer in your dish with egg noodles and a ridiculously creamy sauce made from onion, cream cheese, and sour cream. Top the casserole with cheese, and slide it into the oven. What you get is all the satisfaction of burger night—the savory beef, the comfort, the crowd-pleasing appeal—without the hassle of warming buns, flipping patties, or playing short-order cook for everyone’s specific requests. It’s burger night, reimagined as pure casserole bliss.

The Overall Crowd Favorite

• The Recipe: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, submitted by Corey Williams
• Average Rating: 4.6 stars
• Rave Review: “I made this just like the recipe and it was a big hit. Guests begged for leftovers to take home with them” —ACracraft

When I tell you my eyes practically rolled back in my head after one bite of this masterpiece, I’m not being dramatic. Corey’s genius lies in the simplicity: Sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream of chicken soup get mixed with Creole seasoning and rotisserie chicken, then topped with mozzarella and—the best part—buttery, crispy crackers that bake into the most crave-worthy golden crust. It’s ridiculously easy to throw together, but the flavors are so perfectly balanced and satisfying that it instantly became my new favorite. This is the casserole that will convert a skeptic.