45 Vintage Casseroles Beloved in the South That Deserve To Be Celebrated

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Updated October 26, 2020
Credit: Greg DuPree

With some classic casseroles, just a whiff can instantly take you back years, even decades. The heavenly aroma of those creamy, cheesy, crunchy bakes isn’t something we can forget, nor do we want to. So, like Mama, we keep on making them. No matter the occasion—congratulations and condolences, service and comfort—a casserole says the same thing: Here you go, honey, you deserve this. Those same easy casseroles also make up the bulk of our quick-fix, crowd-pleasing suppers, offering hearty deliciousness in a pinch.

Whether being served at Sunday dinner or on the holiday sideboard, these vintage recipes will always leave a Southern crowd full and happy. From the legendary cowboy casserole to the faithful chicken spaghetti, these retro casserole recipes aren’t going anywhere. (Thank goodness.)

Start Slideshow

1 of 46

These Classic Southern Casseroles Will Never Get Old

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 46

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

In a sea of chicken casseroles, this spaghetti bake might be the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The old-school recipe transports us back to Mama's house on any typical Tuesday night.

3 of 46

Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

We'd hate to mess with a good thing, and this old-school casserole is just that. From the frozen French-cut green beans to the crispy fried onion topping, it's a familiar sight on every supper table.

Advertisement

4 of 46

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Prep this crowd-pleasing family casserole over the weekend and pop it in the freezer until the night before you’re ready to serve. Add a salad and garlic bread—and you're set!

5 of 46

Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

This might be the original family-friendly casserole, but it's also one that even a fancy Frances will love. It's delightfully packed full with chicken, pasta, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.

6 of 46

Old-School Squash Casserole

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

At the center of any Southern spread, you'll find this beauty: a creamy, crunchy, cheesy, buttery casserole filled with bright yellow squash.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 46

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

There are few things that belong together as much as chicken and rice. Romeo and Juliet? Johnny and June? This recipe gets a special crunch from water chestnuts.

8 of 46

Spaghetti Casserole

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spaghetti Casserole

Our easy Spaghetti Casserole is the universal answer to "I don't know what to make for dinner." This slow-cooker version is even simpler than your usual recipe.

9 of 46

Biscuits-and-Gravy Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Casserole

This Southern breakfast staple is even more delicious in a casserole dish—and ready to fill up a hungry family on any morning. Using frozen biscuits saves so much extra time. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 46

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Is there a world where this classic dish doesn't belong on the list? Macaroni and cheese is our version of comfort in a casserole dish.

11 of 46

Ham and Noodle Casserole

Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

Egg noodles, baked ham, and cream of mushroom soup make a tasty trio alongside veggies like broccoli, carrots, and asparagus. 

12 of 46

Turkey Tetrazzini

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

We'll take this classic comfort dish anytime. Here's a trick: Come Thanksgiving, use any leftover turkey to make this wonderful weeknight dinner.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 46

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Name any spread, and a broccoli-and-cheese casserole will fit right in, guaranteed. This version uses fresh broccoli and a mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise in lieu of cream of mushroom soup.

14 of 46

Cowboy Casserole

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Any casserole topped with tater tots is a friend of ours, and this one is filled with a savory blend of beef, beans, corn, cheese, and chiles. 

15 of 46

Buttermilk Spoon Bread

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

Recipe: Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Say hello to the fluffier version of cornbread. Spoon bread is an old Southern delicacy that we wish we'd see a whole lot more.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 46

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

How do you know this recipe is an old-fashioned friend? Hard-boiled eggs. You don't see those in the creamy filling as much anymore, do you?

17 of 46

Dorito Casserole

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Dorito Casserole

The kids are guaranteed to become big fans of this zesty Tex-Mex casserole made with layers of seasoned beef, cheese, and—of course—crushed Doritos. 

18 of 46

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage

They knew what they were doing when creating this perfect Italian casserole. The secret is in the sauce, literally, in this recipe: a tomato blend with ground sausage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 46

Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chili Cheese Enchiladas

Feel free to customize this hearty batch of baked enchiladas by using ground beef, leftover chicken, or even a rotisserie chicken. This Texas-inspired recipe uses a homemade chili gravy. 

20 of 46

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joes really slather on the nostalgia. Let the childhood classic come back with a modern spin. This pasta bake version has that sweet-savory blend of sauce and ground beef you know and love.

21 of 46

Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Casserole

This is a classic due as much to convenience as delectability. Because, at any given moment, we all have frozen hash browns, cream of mushroom soup, and cornflakes cereal in the kitchen.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 46

Cheeseburger Casserole

Credit: Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: SArah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole

Yep, we went there. Imagine all the makings of a fantastic cheeseburger in a casserole filling, before being topped with tater tots, bacon, and cheese. No patty-flipping required. 

23 of 46

Baked Tortellini Alfredo with Mushrooms

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Tortellini Alfredo with Mushrooms

This super fast version of a pasta bake uses store-bought ingredients like cheese tortellini to turn out a filling skillet supper in half an hour. 

24 of 46

Meatloaf Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole

The hearty beef dinner we all know and love just got a baking dish-friendly makeover that tastes like a homey version of shepherd's pie. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 46

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Nothing beats a full-fledged Tex-Mex casserole. Layers of corn tortillas, cheese, and chicken make this recipe an easy favorite of kids and adults alike.

26 of 46

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Is it Thanksgiving without this enticingly sweet side dish? It's the closest we'll get to allowing dessert served with dinner, and the marshmallow-topped recipe can be found at any Southern affair.

27 of 46

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Deb Wise’s Tamale Pie Mix-up

A casserole packed with cheap, easy ground beef is an important household staple. This layer-free tamale pie makes a homey, comforting meal packed with a filling of ground beef, cornmeal, tomato sauce, and corn that gets finished with a layer of gooey cheese.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 46

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

We'll gladly accept this savory cobbler as our own. This comforting chicken casserole is always topped with fluffy homemade biscuits instead of piecrust.

29 of 46

Pineapple Casserole

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple what? We're making a case to bring back this unexpected Easter classic. (If your family doesn't already still make it.)

30 of 46

Christmas Morning Strata

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Christmas Morning Strata

This longtime reader favorite is the perfect baked egg casserole—flavored with sausage, Dijon, and all the cheese—to make ahead for any holiday morning.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 46