12 Holiday Casseroles with the Nostalgic Flavors You Can't Forget

Bacon-Topped Green Bean Casserole

Trade crispy onions for crunchy bacon to elevate your green bean casserole to holiday centerpiece status. Crisp-tender green beans blanketed in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce...if only every vegetable side dish was this appealing!

Test Kitchen Tip: To cut down on day-of stress, prepare the green beans, sauce, and bacon up to a day ahead, then refrigerate in separate containers until it's time to assemble and bake.

Buttered Stuffing with Mushrooms

Hearty enough to be a vegetarian main dish, this holiday casserole is set to steal the show at your dinner party. The buttery leek-mushroom mix add savory goodness to every bite, while the egg ensures there are enough crunchy exterior bits to please everyone. Garnish the bread stuffing side dish with fresh herbs and prepare to watch it disappear, whether you're serving meat-and-potato-devotees or herbivores.

Hash Brown Casserole

Called party potatoes in some circles, hash brown casserole is a must-have holiday recipe. Shredded potatoes, sour cream, cheese, ham, and a buttery cornflake topper combine to create a breakfast-inspired casserole that will be the first thing devoured at your buffet. Since it calls for a cup of diced ham, it's a brilliant holiday casserole recipe if you're hosting a two-day affair. Serve one of our best ham recipes for an entree on day one, then whip this up for a holiday brunch on day two.

Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Pecans

No Thanksgiving should ever pass without sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows and pecans. We're wild about this holiday casserole variation that is sweetened with a splash of seasonally-appropriate (and downright delicious) pure maple syrup. This classic sweet potato casserole has directions to make it a day ahead so you can focus on the holiday entree.

Scalloped Russet and Sweet Potatoes

Nutmeg in potato casserole? Sounds crazy, but trust us. The warm and slightly sweet fall spice takes this classic holiday casserole to new gourmet heights. Sneak in some fresh thyme to brighten up this decadent side dish.

Homemade Green Bean Casserole

No green bean casserole is complete without the crispy-onion topper. Use our DIY Crispy Shallots recipe, or opt for the canned version to save time on this holiday vegetable casserole.

Corn Pudding Casserole

OK, OK, we admit we didn't grow up feasting on this corn casserole. But with its creamy texture, it quickly became a must-have for the holiday casserole lineup. Bonus: We included make-ahead instructions so you can save precious oven space.

Spicy Green Bean Casserole

This is not your average green bean casserole. It's hotter and a hint healthier, too. We've cranked up the heat with fresh jalapenos and ground chipotle chili pepper, and lightened up the calorie count by opting for a greater ratio of broth to cream in the sauce.

Cheesy Garlic Potato Gratin

A full cup of whipping cream gives these cheesy potatoes unbeatable creaminess. It's the holidays—time to indulge, and this party casserole is just the way to do it! For an eye-catching blend of hues, try half Yukon gold and half sweet potatoes.

Scalloped Potatoes

No frilly fillings here. This holiday casserole features kitchen staples including potatoes, onion, and garlic, all coated in an easy white sauce seasoned with standard salt and pepper. It sounds simple, but stacked together, the results are remarkably tasty. As this scalloped holiday potato casserole proves, basic is not boring! (Psst...the secret to easily slicing evenly-thick spuds? A mandoline.)

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese gets a fall makeover in this luscious holiday casserole. Try it for a thoughtful vegetarian entree (simply omit the bacon) or a side dish on your spread this year. Either way, the cheesy butternut squash pasta foundation and the crunchy bread crumb topping make for a remarkably delicious duo.

Cranberry-Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole

Combine two classic Thanksgiving side dishes—candied sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce—into one sweet holiday casserole. Yielding a whopping 26 servings, this is one holiday casserole that will keep on giving. Try the marshmallow creme-spiked recipe as a side with dinner, then enjoy it for brunch the next day with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.