35 Memorial Day Recipes You Can Make in Your 13x9

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
March 30, 2019
Credit: Alison Miksch
When the weather starts heating up and the kids finish up another school year, we know it's time for a backyard barbecue. Memorial Day serves as the perfect opportunity to kick off the summer season right—by celebrating the long weekend with fun in the sun and an outdoor bash to boot. It’s not about fancy table settings, strict time schedules, or fussy menus. It’s about inviting the whole neighborhood, firing up the grill, and getting the good times going. But first, you need to get your Memorial Day food squared away. This year, pair your barbecue, hamburgers, and hot dogs with a fresh spread of summer casseroles that you can make in your trusty 13x9 baking dish. Because every cookout starts simple enough, but Southerners are a social bunch. More are bound to come out of the woodwork for a heaping plate of baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and sheet cake. These Memorial Day recipes will have you prepared for every summer cookout this season, starting with a big send-off.  
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How To Make Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Recipe: Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

This classic should be in every Southern woman's recipe repertoire. A moist, delicious Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake pleases crowds of all ages, and is the perfect dessert to bring to a neighbor, to a potluck, or to a summer party. Mayonnaise may sound like a strange ingredient to add into a cake, but this iconic Southern staple yields an ultra-moist texture and mellows out the sweet flavor. The tradition of using mayonnaise in cakes dates all the way back to war times, when ingredients like eggs and oil were rationed. In place of these, cooks substituted mayo – whose main ingredients are, as you probably know, eggs and oil. Pulling together this homemade sheet cake recipe only takes about 20 minutes of hands-on prep time. We've topped this recipe with our creamy Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting, which is a decadent garnish on this Southern dessert. If you're not a chocolate-on-chocolate gal, feel free to use your favorite buttercream or frosting to finish off your cake.

Start this recipe by whisking together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl. The addition of salt in this recipe actually brings out the sweetness – so don't forget to add it! Then, prepare a 13- x 9-inch pan by greasing and flouring. Using a stand mixer, beat together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until you have a creamy, light brown mixture. The goal is to have ribbons form when the beater is lifted from the bowl. Then, add mayonnaise to your wet ingredients, and beat at low speed until combined. Next, add the cocoa-flour mixture to the egg mixture alternately with hot water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Be sure to beat at low speed after each addition so that the mixtures can become fully incorporated. Pour the batter into your pan, and bake! Cool your Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake completely before spreading on your favorite frosting.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

This casserole doesn't stop at one fresh summer vegetable—it's a triple threat.

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Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Make sure that your macaroni and cheese gets a summery touch, too. You've got ripe tomatoes at your fingertips...use them!

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Okra and Rice Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

Because making enough fried okra for a cookout full of Southerners just isn't going to happen. This dish is simple and delicious, featuring a mix of tender sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs.

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Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables

Give a classic cheesy baked pasta a Memorial Day-ready twist with loads of in-season squash and tomatoes.

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Classic Baked Beans

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Baked Beans

You can't beat this classic side at any backyard barbecue, cookout, or picnic.

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Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

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

Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Bars

Be a star at the Memorial Day cookout with these patriotic bars.

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Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Plum-Berry Cornmeal Sheet Cake

This not-too-sweet cornmeal cake makes the most of your fresh fruit.

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Every Memorial Day cookout will love a full-fledged Tex-Mex casserole. Whip up some fresh guacamole on the side, and you're set.

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Creamy Crab Dip with Peppadews

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Creamy Crab Dip with Peppadews Recipe

Southerners love a creamy dip, and a creamy crab dip never fails to get the party going in the summertime.

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Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Deb Wise’s Tamale Pie Mix-up

This big-batch version of the beloved Tex-Mex pie will help feed a hungry cookout crowd, no sweat.

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Savory Tomato Cobbler

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Savory Tomato Cobbler

You won't find a prettier use of your fresh summer tomatoes. It's a side dish fit for a Southern party.

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Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Brown Butter-Caramel Blondies

Chewy and gooey, these brownies are filled with hidden pockets of delicious caramel.

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Hot Chicken Salad

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Hot Chicken Salad

They'll go wild over the hot chicken salad, mark our words. This baked version of Southern chicken salad is a crowd-pleaser.

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Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Ham

This deliciously smoky recipe is packed full of a creamy smoked Gouda and Cheddar sauce, corkscrew pasta, and chopped smoked ham. Need we say more?

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Zucchini Rice Gratin

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

Recipe: Zucchini Rice Gratin

This gratin is perfect for a hot-weather party because it favors cheesy squash casserole, but skips the heavy mayonnaise.

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Mini Confetti Cakes

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Mini Confetti Cakes

Use a small round cutter to cut these adorable mini cakes out of a simple sheet cake—then let them steal the show!

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Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Raspberry-Almond Crumble Bars

Win over the fruit lovers at the cookout with these gooey crumble bars.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Pull this classic Southern dish together in just one hour—and in a portable casserole that can be served family-style at the Memorial Day party.

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Hot Potato Salad

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Hot Potato Salad

Think of this recipe at the perfect middle ground between potato salad and cheesy potato gratin.

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Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This casserole fits under the "friendly for every occasion" category.

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King Ranch Chicken

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

This Tex-Mex recipe is a crowd favorite, making it a one-stop shop for success at a Memorial Day family dinner.

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Cream Cheese Brownies

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cream Cheese Brownies

A rich and tangy layer of swirled cream cheese mixture takes regular brownies to delicious new heights.

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Cherry Pie Bars

Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Cherry Pie Bars

Classic cherry pie practically screams summertime, and these bars capture all the fruity flavor in a big-batch and portable recipe.

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Zucchini Lasagna

Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna

Freshen up a family favorite for spring and summer. Thin, woven slices of zucchini make it festive enough for any potluck.

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

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

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Thin, crispy fried leeks make a lighter topping alternative to fried onions for a warm weather cookout.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole

Kentuckians—and Kentuckians at heart—rejoice! This recipe takes a classic Hot Brown sandwich and turns it into a potluck-ready casserole.

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Tater Tot Bake

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Tater Tot Breakfast Bake

Because every kid will take down a hearty portion of this tater tot-laden casserole, no matter the time of day—and especially with a hot dog on the side.

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Red Rice

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savannah Red Rice

You won't find a rice dish with as much flavor as red rice, made with bacon, tomatoes, cayenne pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

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Lemon-Coconut Chess Bars

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Lemon-Coconut Chess Bars

These bars are perfect for entertaining. This summery recipe gets a hint of tropical flavor from coconut milk.

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