Food and Recipes Dish Casserole 47 Bake-and-Take Casseroles Your Neighbors Will Love By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is an Associate Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jennifer Causey Despite the ease of texting, emailing, and ordering online, Southerners still believe in doing some things the old-fashioned way. Southern etiquette and hospitality will never be taken over by technology, which is why traditions like writing thank you notes and bringing casseroles to your neighbors are still around. Whether a new neighbor just moved in, a current neighbor had a death in the family, or an old neighbor is simply hosting a get-together, a Southerner will respond by bringing over a casserole. Homemade casseroles are comforting and thoughtful, so they're perfect to bake and take to a friend's house. Casseroles are easy to make, can be prepped in advance, and freeze easily. These friendship casseroles will remind your neighbors that you care for them and their families. These delicious ideas are versatile for any neighbor's taste, so find the best one for your friend and make someone's day extra special. 01 of 47 Easy Chicken Spaghetti Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Easy Chicken Spaghetti Southerners are known to welcome new families to the neighborhood with a 9-x-13 dish filled with a warm, comforting, and universally appealing recipe. Made with tomatoes and red bell peppers, this Easy Chicken Spaghetti is an sneaky way to make sure little ones enjoy their veggies at dinnertime. 02 of 47 Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake If you're sending a homemade meal to a vegetarian family, this hearty casserole, packed with nutrient-dense kale, is guaranteed to please. 03 of 47 Turkey Tetrazzini Tina Cornett Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini There's a reason that mamas love this classic casserole. Every bite is a delicious dose of nostalgic comfort. While Turkey Tetrazzini is a fool-proof way to make the most of your leftover Thanksgiving main, feel free to substitute chicken or ham in this recipe. 04 of 47 Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole Alison Miksch; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole We packed an entire morning spread into one irresistible breakfast dish. If you're looking for a way to treat a family with a new baby, this make-ahead Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole sure is hard to beat. 05 of 47 Hashbrown Casserole Southern Living Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole When you know a family that's dealing with sickness or the loss of a loved one, it never hurts to whip up a little comfort food. Also known as funeral casserole, this classic dish combines a few of our favorite ingredients: cheese, potatoes, and crunchy cereal. 06 of 47 Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake Iain Bagwell Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake You could just boil that refrigerated tortellini from the grocery store, but we think your friends and family will appreciate this second helping-worthy combination of chicken, veggies, pasta, and cheese. You might call our cracker-pecan garnish the cherry on top. 07 of 47 Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie When you have a little extra time, this from-scratch take on chicken pot pie is always worth the effort. One bite and your neighbors may never try a frozen version again. 08 of 47 There's Nothing Like Bringing a Neighbor a Homemade Meal 09 of 47 Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Beth Dreiling; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey Recipe: Pizza Spaghetti Casserole Two Italian favorites—pizza and spaghetti—come together in this casserole that's ready in 40 minutes. 10 of 47 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole Becky Luigart-Stayner Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole This chicken casserole never fails. Send the toasted almond topping in a separate container in case of nut allergies. 11 of 47 Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole Jennifer Davick Recipe: Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole This comforting casserole goes above and beyond simple mashed potatoes. 12 of 47 Chicken Tetrazzini with Prosciutto and Peas Jennifer R. Davick Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini with Prosciutto and Peas Prosciutto and peas are an ideal pair in this version of chicken tertrazzini. 13 of 47 Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole Southern Living Recipe: Light King Ranch Chicken Casserole Make the lighter version of our ever-popular King Ranch Chicken Casserole to cut down on calories without eliminating flavor. 14 of 47 Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Tomato 'n' Beef Casserole with Polenta Crust The cornmeal-based crust sets this cheesy dish aside from other Italian casserole recipes. 15 of 47 Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna Jennifer Davick Recipe: Zucchini-and-Spinach Lasagna This vegetarian lasagna dish is the most indulgent way to use fresh zucchini. 16 of 47 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Hector Sanchez Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole Serve up this Tex-Mex dish with a side of guacamole to give your neighbors a full fiesta meal. 17 of 47 New Tuna Casserole Greg Dupree Recipe: New Tuna Casserole This creamy casserole has a crunch from the green beans and plenty of cheesy goodness from white cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. 18 of 47 Mac and Cheese with Ham Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham The neighbors' kids will want you to bring food over all the time if you make this baked mac and cheese recipe with smoked Gouda and ham. 19 of 47 Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole Hector Sanchez Recipe: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole This vegetarian casserole has tons of color and texture, and it's filled with our easy cheese sauce. 20 of 47 Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake Jennifer Davick Recipe: Cheesy Chili Hash Brown Bake This warm chili dish is perfect for cold nights in, and it's ready in under an hour. 21 of 47 Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole Iain Bagwell Recipe: Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole This beautiful chicken casserole will impress any neighbor. A tip from the test kitchen: Let this dish stand a few minutes after baking so the rice will absorb the liquid, yielding a creamy texture. 22 of 47 Two-Potato Gratin Hector Sanchez Recipe: Two-Potato Gratin You've never had an au gratin potato casserole like this one, which mixes two kinds of potatoes and two kinds of cheeses. "This luscious gratin strikes a happy middle chord for those hungry for potatoes and those vying for a sweet potato casserole." —Nancy Vienneau, author of Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook, from which this recipe was adapted. 23 of 47 Ham-and-Greens Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust Hector M Sanchez Recipe: Ham-and-Greens Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust If you have new neighbors from the North, show them what Southern cooking is all about with this pot pie recipe. The cornbread crust is an ideal Southern touch. 24 of 47 Old School Squash Casserole Greg DuPree Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole Classic squash casserole is always welcome on a neighbor's table. 25 of 47 Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Becky Luigart Stayner Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Chicken pot pie is one of the most classic Southern casseroles, and this version is topped with homemade biscuits for a pretty and delicious touch. 26 of 47 Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole Southern Living Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole If there's ground beef sitting in your freezer that needs to be used, put it in this family-favorite casserole and make someone's day. 27 of 47 Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole This updated version of the comfort food classic proves that indulgent casseroles can still taste fresh. 28 of 47 Beefy Nacho Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Rishon Hanners, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Beefy Nacho Casserole If you're looking for a quick, budget-friendly dish to bring a family with kids, this nacho casserole will do the trick. 29 of 47 Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables Alison Miksch Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables Lighten up your usual pasta bake without sacrificing comfort food flavor with this summery vegetarian casserole. 30 of 47 French Onion Soup Casserole Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: French Onion Soup Casserole Is there anything more cozy during a cold winter night than a bowl of French onion soup? Actually, there is—French onion soup in cheesy casserole form. 31 of 47 Buffalo Chicken Casserole Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Casserole If your neighbors are into football, they'll love that we turned this classic gameday dip into a filling casserole for supper. 32 of 47 Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast You can trust Test Kitchen Pro and Hey Y'all host Ivy Odom to create a make-ahead breakfast that your neighbors will love for weekend brunch. Bring them some maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit to top it with. 33 of 47 Cowboy Casserole Micah A. Leal Recipe: Cowboy Casserole It doesn't get more kid-friendly than a ground beef casserole topped with a layer of crispy tater tots, y'all. 34 of 47 Butternut Squash Lasagna Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna This meatless lasagna recipe is the ideal casserole for fall, when butternut squash is fresh and abundant. 35 of 47 Everything Bagel Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee Recipe: Everything Bagel Casserole Who doesn't love everything bagels? No one we know. So we set out to turn everyone's favorite bagel order into a cheesy casserole with a make-ahead option that's perfect for sharing with friends. 36 of 47 Chicken Fajita Casserole Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Chicken Fajita Casserole Be sure to send this Tex-Mex casserole over to your friends' house with fresh toppings like sour cream, chopped avocado, salsa, and lime wedges. 37 of 47 Sloppy Joe Casserole Southern Living Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole We traded the messy sandwich for a scoopable casserole the kids can enjoy with a fork for a better dinner experience for the parents. 38 of 47 Cinnamon Roll Casserole Antonis Achilleos Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Casserole Frozen cinnamon rolls are transformed into a big-batch breakfast that's fit for the family in this sweet recipe. 39 of 47 Chicken-Bacon Ranch Casserole Alison Miksch Recipe: Chicken-Bacon Ranch Casserole Three words that immediately win dinnertime in any house? Chicken, bacon, and ranch. Trust us, y'all! 40 of 47 Cheeseburger Casserole Photography: Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray Recipe: Cheeseburger Casserole When it's too cold to fire up the grill outside for burgers, whip up this kid-friendly casserole that has all the flavor of one. 41 of 47 Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up Hector Sanchez Recipe: Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up This one-pan wonder is so much easier than making individual tamales. Send over a big green salad to serve with it, and dinner is ready! 42 of 47 Sausage Gravy Casserole with Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Sausage Gravy Casserole with Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits We found the most delicious way to make Southern biscuits and sausage gravy into a one-pan breakfast that will satisfy everyone around the table. 43 of 47 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Greg DuPree Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole This yummy casserole comes together with store-bought shortcuts like jarred pasta sauce and rotisserie chicken for a dinner that tastes impressive but is so easy to make. 44 of 47 Meatloaf Casserole Micah A. Leal Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole The flavor of your favorite meatloaf topped with creamy mashed potatoes all in one dish? We wouldn't dare lie about something so delicious. 45 of 47 Pancake Casserole Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Pancake Casserole This make-ahead casserole will make Saturday morning sweeter than ever for your neighbors. 46 of 47 Easy Taco Casserole Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero Recipe: Easy Taco Casserole This layered casserole has everything your neighbors need for a delicious taco Tuesday. Pass along a pitcher of margaritas for the parents, too. 47 of 47 Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Jennifer Causey Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Tater tots, cheese, eggs, and bacon—these are a few of our favorite things! They're also the ingredients to this reader-favorite breakfast casserole. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit