Must-Have Thanksgiving Casseroles At Your Feast

By Southern Living Editors
Photo: Iain Bagwell

A holiday that skillfully celebrates the art of the home-made casseroles. We’re not just talking about the classic green-bean casserole or the famous homemade mac and cheese. These are the homemade recipes that Mama guards with her life and are only learned through an illegible scribble on an old receipt or by graciously helping out in the kitchen. The best ingredient that’s found in all of these sought-after Thanksgiving casseroles is the hard work and love put into each one, because the way to the heart is definitely through the stomach. These dishes are guaranteed to be an instant hit at Thanksgiving dinner. Hold these coveted recipes tightly because everyone will want these delicious secrets. Who doesn't love a good Thanksgiving casserole?Make some memories in the kitchen this Thanksgiving by cooking these delectable casseroles with your loved ones. You better leave plenty of room on the table for these classic Southern recipes.

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Old-School Green Bean Casserole

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

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

This classic green bean casserole is ready in under an hour.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

A classic casserole that is topped with a delicious combination of cornflakes, pecans, and marshmallows.

 

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Top this classic broccoli casserole with club crackers for a buttery finish.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Switch up your traditional sweet potato casserole by adding thinly sliced potatoes for a crispy texture.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Corn Pudding Casserole

This savory dish is a cheesy delight on the Thanksgiving table.

 

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Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

The best of both worlds, this sweet potato casserole is topped with a parmesan-herb streusel to give it a savory flavor.

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Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cheesy Potato Casserole

This cheesy potato casserole pairs delightfully well with homemade gravy.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Old-School Squash Casserole

Even if you’re not a squash lover, you will be coming back for seconds with this tasty buttery dish.

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Corn Bread Casserole

© Abby Hocking

Recipe: Corn Bread Casserole

We believe that bread should always be a staple at Thanksgiving dinner, especially when it’s this mouth-watering corn bread.

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Au Gratin Potato Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Au Gratin Potato Casserole

An easy and delicious casserole to whip up on short notice to bring to potlucks and gatherings.

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Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

A vegetarian’s dream, this casserole is jam-packed with veggies and very filling.

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Wild Rice-and-Greens Casserole

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Wild Rice-and-Greens Casserole

A flavorful dish that calls for wild rice, spices, and greens. Swap out kale for collard greens or another hearty green of your choice.

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Okra and Rice Casserole

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

We can’t quite put our love for okra into words so instead we made this deliciously intriguing okra and rice casserole.

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Onion-Topped Sausage ‘n’ Mashed Potato Casserole

Jennifer Davick

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

A spoonful of this creamy yet crunchy dish will have you begging for more.

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Photo: Linda Puglies; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

This fresh-green bean casserole is topped with elegant crunchy leeks.

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Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

We topped this savory squash casserole with the our favorite crispy snack that smiles back.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Combine these Southern vegetables all together in this flavor-bursting casserole.

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Hashbrown Casserole

Southern Living

Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Potato casserole just got a whole lot better with diced hash brown potatoes.

 

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Squash and Green Chile Casserole

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Squash and Green Chile Casserole

This creamy tex-mex squash casserole has a subtle Southern kick from the green chiles.

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Fennel-and-Potato Gratin

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fennel-and-Potato Gratin

This cheesy potato gratin gets a punch of flavor from nutmeg and fennel. It's impressive enough for a holiday party, but easy enough to put together on a busy weeknight.

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Tasty Tex-Mex Mashed Potato Bake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tasty Tex-Mex Mashed Potato Bake

Tasty Tex-Mex Mashed Potato Bake gets a spicy kick with the addition of chorizo sausage, green chiles, and pepper Jack cheese. Mashed potatoes will never be boring again!

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Sweet Potato-and-Collard Green Gratin

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Sweet Potato-and-Collard Green Gratin

We love the mix of sweet potatoes, collard greens, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in this seasonal gratin recipe.

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Green Bean Lasagna

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Green Bean Lasagna

Lasagna may not be the first thing you think of when you imagine classic Thanksgiving sides, but our take on this classic holiday dish will have you loving this new twist. It mixes the smooth taste of perfectly cooked pasta noodles with the crunch of just-right green beans, the creaminess of ricotta and shredded Italian cheese, and the sweetness of onions and mushrooms. Top this casserole with crushed buttery crackers and French fried onions and you will wonder how you ever enjoyed your green bean casserole any other way. This will be the update that will become your go-to family classic casserole for years to come.

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Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

For a tasty and colorful twist, substitute sliced zucchini for half of the yellow squash.

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Butternut Squash Gratin

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Butternut Squash Gratin

Slice the potatoes as you use them in each layer (rather than all at once), to help prevent oxidation.

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Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

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

Recipe: Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

We added crispy bacon and Brussels Sprouts to this casserole for a spin on a Thanksgiving classic.

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Four-Cheese Macaroni

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Four-Cheese Macaroni

Part of the delight of this dish is the mixture of four cheeses that combine to give it the distinctive richness and creaminess that make it distinct. With Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Asiago, and fontina cheeses, Four-Cheese Macaroni mixes these spicy-hot, soft, and hard cheeses into a mouthwatering combination. We’ve used cavatappi pasta here—think of it like a corkscrew—so it grabs the cheese and holds on. Baked in the oven, it gets a crisp, delicious top that is finished with a delicious trio of toppings—breadcrumbs, bacon, and pecans. This macaroni and cheese ecipe is worthy of center stage.

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Squash Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Squash Casserole

Why limit French fried onions to green bean casserole?  We love them on this cheesy squash casserole, too.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Gently stirring twice while baking promotes even cooking and creaminess to this dish. Pull out of the oven, stir once more, then sprinkle with cheese, and continue baking without stirring for a casserole that's golden brown on top. 

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Chipotle Scalloped Potatoes

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chipotle Scalloped Potatoes

Cheesy, smoky, and savory—all of our favorite flavors come to play in this winner of a potato casserole.

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Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole

Cooked carrots add smooth texture and extra flavor to this comfort food favorite. Serve this classic holiday casserole any time of year and expect rave reviews. Top with marshmallows and spicy-sweet pecans.

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