Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes Avoid the Last-Minute Cooking Chaos with These Make Ahead Christmas Casserole Recipes By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on September 13, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Iain Bagwell 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. 01 of 12 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. 02 of 12 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. 03 of 12 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. 04 of 12 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. 05 of 12 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. 06 of 12 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. 07 of 12 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. 08 of 12 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. 09 of 12 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. 10 of 12 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. 11 of 12 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. 12 of 12 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit