Avoid the Last-Minute Cooking Chaos with These Make Ahead Christmas Casserole Recipes

By Southern Living
Jennifer Davick

Whether you’ve got a house full of relatives or need to bring a dish to feed the folks at Uncle Frank’s, there’s a reason casseroles and Christmas go hand in hand. A warm, cozy casserole is the secret to beating the Christmas chaos. Honestly. Hearty and easy to make ahead, our favorite holiday casserole recipes range traditional classics to creative, must-try dishes. Between wrapping presents and preparing the house for guests, you’ll be able to pop these one-dish wonders into the oven with ease. Freeze, pull out, and reheat to make feeding a table of twelve feel more feasible than ever before.

Flip through some of our favorite Christmas casserole recipes, and you're sure to find the perfect fit for your holiday feast.

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Butternut Squash Gratin

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Butternut Squash Gratin

A beautiful blend of butternut squash and potatoes just might make this recipe your new go-to gratin dish.

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Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Whether you want to serve it as a main dish or a side, you really can’t go wrong with this deliciously baked mac and cheese casserole. A melt in your mouth, cheesy delight, we know this will be a crowd pleaser for the kids and the adults alike.

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Swiss Chicken Crêpe

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Swiss Chicken Crêpes

Lasagna fans with fall in love with this layered casserole variation on the classic dish. Tender chicken and Swiss cheese roll together in crepe layers full of garlic and basil flavors that are sure to be a new family favorite.

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

When it comes to casseroles, it doesn’t get much more reliable than chicken and rice. Perfect for a Christmas crowd, this recipe feels a little bit dressier than you’re every day chicken and rice combo and can easily feed ten to twelve hungry holiday guests.

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Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

This creamy, cheddar and Parmesan casserole recipe is sure to satisfy cheese and squash lovers alike.

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Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust

The perfect way to warm up on a cold Christmas day, our take on Shepherd’s pie combines a scalloped potato crust with lean, ground beef and English peas.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

It wouldn’t be a holiday gathering without a mouthwatering sweet potato casserole, and this classic recipe just happens to be one of the best around.

Cooking Video: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

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Greek Baked Ziti

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Greek Baked Ziti

There’s nothing like a comforting Italian dish to satisfy the seemingly insatiable appetites of a house full of family. Though it may not be a traditional holiday staple, this easy baked ziti will be a life saver to have on hand.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

This versatile casserole side dish can be paired with virtually anything. Whether you’re serving a Christmas ham or a spiced-rubbed tenderloin, this scrumptious side is sure to compliment and complete the rest of your holiday menu.

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Tomato ‘n’ Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole With Polenta Crust

This easy Italian casserole delivers an indulgent tomato and beef filling that will have your whole family asking for seconds.

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Chicken Cobbler Casserole

William Dickey

Recipe: Chicken Cobbler Casserole

Don’t let the word “cobbler” trick you into thinking this golden-brown Christmas bake is a sweet dish. This twist on a chicken pot pie will having you thinking “savory” when a mix of sourdough rolls, Parmesan cheese, and shredded chicken hit your lips.

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Onion-Topped Sausage ‘n’ Mashed Potato Casserole

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole

Fuss free and fast to pull together, this casserole is a sinch to serve a crowd and delivers kid-appred fried onions.

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