Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 20 Comforting Casseroles Perfect for the Church Christmas Potluck 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 Updated on August 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett Whether you bring comforting food to a friend or want to impress guests at the next Christmas potluck, no other dish rises to the occasion like a casserole. Potluck casseroles exude gracefulness and ease, making them ideal for cozy, comforting meals. A deliciousness happens when good ingredients become acquainted with one another in a bubbling hot sauce. Every home cook worth her salt has a casserole she is known for, and it is an unwritten rule that she is to take it to church potlucks and family reunions. Hungry friends and relatives wait for months for the annual potluck so they can get a generous helping of their favorite cornbread dressings, cheesy pasta dishes, and chicken pot pies. We could go on and on about the utility and versatility of this one-pot wonder, but we will leave you with this: A casserole baking in the oven promises something good, honest, and wholesome. Here are some perfect casserole dishes to bring to your next church potluck or to enjoy whenever you crave some classic comfort food. 01 of 20 Chicken-and-Squash Casserole Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck In under 30 minutes, you can enjoy this savory dish. Yellow squash and zucchini combined with cheeses and sour cream create a thick one-dish meal that will warm up everyone at the next potluck. Don't forget to layer fresh breadcrumbs for some extra texture. Get the recipe. 02 of 20 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett A classic potluck dish comes together when combining rice and chicken into a casserole. When making for a large crowd, try using toasted almonds and a mixture of long-grain and wild rice to enhance the presentation. Combine ingredients into a cream of mushroom soup sauce, practically a casserole staple. Get the recipe. 03 of 20 Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Cheesy broccoli and chicken is a fan-favorite casserole that hardly needs improvement. Add spinach and cheese tortellini, and you have your new signature dish. Everyone will request you bring it again. Topped with chopped pecans is the icing on this casserole cake. Get the recipe. 04 of 20 Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett Bacon cheddar biscuits? Yes, please. This chicken pot pie, topped with warm, flakey biscuits, has the makings of a Southern classic. The vegetable medley makes this casserole a more hearty dish, and the hash browns make it something you'll want to eat for every meal of the day. Get the recipe. 05 of 20 Mimi's Cornbread Dressing Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Start with cornbread baked in a skillet until reaching a crisp, golden crust. This dressing recipe freezes well, so feel free to prepare it in advance—you never know when you might need it. Fresh herbs like sage, parsley, and thyme make this a go-to side. Get the recipe. 06 of 20 Four-Cheese Macaroni Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Combine cheddar, Monterey Jack, fontina, and Asiago for a perfect blend of cheesy goodness. Sprinkling bacon, breadcrumbs, and pecans are the only ways to improve this dish. Prepare macaroni and cheese in a dutch oven for an effortless dish. Get the recipe. 07 of 20 Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Covering anything in cheese makes it instant comfort food. Adding rice, mushrooms, and broccoli helps to make this casserole a complete one-dish meal. It's an excellent bake-and-take option for any occasion. Get the recipe. 08 of 20 Meatball Pasta Bake Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Start with frozen meatballs to make this dish a more straightforward option to bring to any event. Make this dish a little more distinctive by adding orange juice and fennel. Chopped onions also add flavor if desired. Get the recipe. 09 of 20 Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie Southern Living Chicken pot pie is classic comfort food, but bacon adds a unique spin to this fan-favorite meal. Try shortcuts like deli-roasted chicken or pre-made puff pastry when you're in a pinch. This dish's savory gravy complements the vegetables combined in one warm and reassuring container. Get the recipe. 10 of 20 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Enchilada casserole is exceptionally versatile. If you've celebrated with one-too-many chicken casseroles lately, try substituting pulled pork, BBQ brisket, or even shrimp into this recipe. The layered tortillas and spicy mixture make this a creamy delight. Get the recipe. 11 of 20 The City and The Country Mac and Cheese Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas This take on macaroni and cheese is a dish with a little of something for everyone. City and country hams combine to give this meal its name. Add a mixture of gooey, cheesy topping, and it's perfect. Get the recipe. 12 of 20 Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham This savory casserole uses French bread as its base, making it a great side dish or main meal. Covering in a Parmesan custard, this bread pudding includes bacon, spinach, and roasted sweet potatoes. Cook the sweet potatoes first until tender. Get the recipe. 13 of 20 Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunnigham You don't need to share casseroles for dinner. This breakfast-inspired grits bake can be prepared, frozen, and cooked in about an hour. It's a perfect way to reduce your morning stress when entertaining family for the holidays or bringing something to an early morning church potluck. Get the recipe. 14 of 20 Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham After cooking the pasta, this dish is a one-skillet meal you'll love to add to your regular recipe collection. Peppers and andouille sausage give this ziti a unique flavoring. If short on time, substitute andouille with spicy sausages like Italian sausage or pepperoni. Get the recipe. 15 of 20 Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake Recipe Hector Manuel Sanchez Kale is a superfood, but this cheesy casserole is a superhero. Adding pasta and crispy breadcrumbs adds a savory, creamy mixture to this kale-based dish. Enjoy this casserole on its own or as a side dish at your next event. Get the recipe. 16 of 20 Overnight French Toast Casserole with Bourbon-Maple Syrup Caitlin Bensel Get ahead of your holiday morning prep with this easy-assemble French toast casserole. Since you must chill it for at least eight hours, it's the perfect dish to make the night before. Kick this breakfast casserole up a notch by making bourbon maple syrup. Get the recipe. 17 of 20 Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole Jennifer Causey Pancakes usually don't go well when preparing this breakfast staple for a crowd, but this casserole version makes it possible. Like other breakfast bakes, prepare this pancake arrangement the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning. Top with blueberries in the morning just before baking. Get the recipe. 18 of 20 Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole Caitlin Bensel / Southern Living Even at a potluck, the oven can become too crowded. Substitute your baking pan or Dutch oven for the slow-cooker for this classic green bean recipe. Add toasted toppings towards the end of your prep time. Get the recipe. 19 of 20 Cheeseburger Casserole Time Inc. Video Studio Instead of standing by the grill throughout your entire potluck gathering, replace burgers with a cheeseburger casserole. This dish is a simpler solution than traditional burgers but delivers the same satisfying flavors. Tator tots and bacon make this dish the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Get the recipe. 20 of 20 Chicken Parmesan Casserole Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar This Italian-inspired dish is topped with panko breadcrumbs and mozzarella cheese, making it a lighter version than its original meal. Pair this casserole with a side of pasta for a complete and hearty dinner. Get the recipe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit