20 Company-Worthy Casseroles That Are Dressed To Impress

Grab the Pyrex—company’s coming!

Lasagna Roll Ups II

Casseroles are the workhorse of the Southern kitchen. With budget-friendly and kid-favorite ingredients, they make weeknight meals a breeze. They freeze beautifully for busy weeks. They are often given as offerings of condolences when a family loses someone and well wishes when they gain someone. Casseroles are equated to comfort. So when you think of the main dish star for your next dinner party or supper club, a cream-of-soup, cracker-topped dish might not be the height of sophistication you envisioned serving. That’s where Southern Living’s seemingly endless catalog of casseroles comes into play. Sure, we have plenty of casserole recipes that we’d recommend more for the kids’ company than your own (looking at you, Doritos Casserole). But with this collection of 20 company-worthy casseroles, you can get an elegant and easy dinner on the table for the adults, too. Elevated ingredients and presentations set these recipes apart from what you usually picture when you think of a casserole. So grab the Pyrex—company’s coming! 

01 of 20

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

All this lightened-up version of chicken parm needs to become a company-worthy meal is a green salad and a batch of warm bread. A bottle of red wouldn’t hurt, either! 

02 of 20

Creamy Artichoke, Kale, and Rice Gratin

Creamy Artichoke, Kale, and Rice Gratin
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This meatless casserole is like your favorite artichoke dip in dinner form, so yes, your guests will gobble it right up. 

03 of 20

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
Alison Miksch

Brighten up your usual baked ziti recipe with fresh summer veggies for an al fresco dinner with friends.

04 of 20

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

Skillet Enchiladas Suizas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Instead of taco night, serve up these one-skillet enchiladas that our Test Kitchen called “our easiest ever.” 

05 of 20

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas

Gnocchi Gratin with Ham and Peas
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Gnocchi is a restaurant-worthy main dish, and putting it in a cheesy casserole makes it easy on the host to serve. 

06 of 20

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups II

This update on classic lasagna has a much prettier presentation but still bakes in one dish just like the easy original. 

07 of 20

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
Iain Bagwell

This one-skillet recipe dresses up the old-school chicken and wild rice casserole from your childhood and makes it dinner party ready.

08 of 20

French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole

JENNIFER CAUSEY; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

French onion soup is a comfort food classic, and this hearty take on it will delight on a chilly night. 

09 of 20

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Shrimp and grits is a Lowcountry favorite to order at a restaurant, so surprise your friends with this big-batch version that will have everyone going back for seconds. 

10 of 20

Chicken-And-Biscuit Pot Pie

Chicken-and-Biscuit Pot Pie
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Chicken pot pie is usually a homey dish, but this big-batch version has supper club-worthy presentation. 

11 of 20

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Butternut Squash Lasagna
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Even the carnivores in your life will love this vegetarian lasagna recipe that makes use of one of our favorite fall ingredients. 

12 of 20

Scalloped Oysters

scalloped oysters
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Different variations of oyster casseroles are popular on Southern holiday tables, and this one is a tried-and-true winner. 

13 of 20

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

We turned the famous open-faced sandwich from Kentucky into an ultra-comforting casserole to feed a crowd. Diced tomatoes and chopped parsley add fresh color to the presentation. 

14 of 20

Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan
Southern Living

This retro casserole had its spot as king of the dinner party in the 1950s, and we’re bringing it back once again. 

15 of 20

Mini Mushroom-And-Parsnip Pot Pies

Mini Mushroom-and-Parsnip Pot Pies
Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

How pretty are these mini veggie pot pies? A puff pastry shortcut makes for a delicious and quick topper.

16 of 20

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Lightened up and gussied up, this fresh take on lasagna is the perfect excuse to make dinner for friends when you go overboard buying zucchini at the farmers’ market. 

17 of 20

Chicken And Stuffing Casserole

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We updated the old-school original for a casserole that’s easier on the eyes and includes more veggies for a well-rounded meal in one dish.

18 of 20

Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

Mushroom and Thyme Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

We elevated the humble chicken-broccoli casserole with Fontina cheese, mushrooms, and fresh thyme. 

19 of 20

Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust
Greg Dupree

Topping shepherd’s pie with a kaleidoscope of sliced sweet and gold potatoes is much more visually appealing for serving guests than the usual mashed potato route. 

20 of 20

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Alison Miksch

When you hear “cobbler,” you might think peach, berry, or even chocolate, but trust us on this savory version. Keep it in the freezer for last-minute plans that arise. 

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