Top 10+ Southern Casseroles Everyone Should Make At Least Once

You can't call yourself a Southerner unless you've made every dish on this list.

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Casseroles are a mainstay in Southern cuisine because they're hearty, delicious, and easy to prepare. They're ubiquitous on our tables during all four seasons, and they're versatile enough to serve us for all kinds of occasions—big and small. Looking for a quick weeknight dinner? A premade casserole pulled out of the freezer and warmed in the oven is an easy solution. Casseroles can be the star of the show, like when we're taking a meal to a new mom or neighbor, or they can take a supporting role on a holiday sideboard. No matter the moment or need, Southerners have a casserole for that. Case in point: There are separate potato casserole recipes for both funerals and celebrations. If you're a Southern cook, here are 10 classic casserole recipes that absolutely must be in your repertoire.

01 of 10

Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Potato casseroles are practically their own food group in a Southerner's diet. From scalloped to twice-baked, the variations are plentiful. But if there's one potato casserole every Southern should master, it's 100% the hashbrown casserole. Luscious, cheesy, and crunchy on top, it's the ultimate side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

02 of 10

Poppy Seed Chicken

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

This humble dish has been a hit at church potlucks and Sunday suppers for generations, and it's not going out of style any time soon. The simple combination of cream of chicken soup, chicken, buttery crackers, and poppy seeds has been a favorite at luncheons and events since practically the dawn of time.

03 of 10

Old-School Squash Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

If you visit your local meat 'n' three on a day when squash casserole is on rotation, go ahead and save some room on your plate. While we love having someone else prepare this dish for us, it's also worth adding to our recipe boxes. You never know when a neighbor will stop by with a bag of goodies from their abundant summertime harvest.

04 of 10

Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Parents have long used this beloved casserole as a vehicle for sneaking some veggies into picky kids' diets. This creamy, comforting casserole is topped with loads of Cheddar cheese and panko bread crumbs for an added (and irresistible!) crunch.

05 of 10

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without green bean casserole. Though most families don't whip this recipe out on the regular, it's so essential to our Turkey Day spreads that it earned itself a spot on the must-make list. There really isn't anything better than a crispy fried onion—and that's a grave we're willing to die on.

06 of 10

King Ranch Chicken

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Add a little Southwest flair to your table with this hearty dish that has roots in the Lone Star State. Some folks consider it the state casserole of Texas, but folks across the region are in on its secret that blends casserole staples like cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and pulled chicken with zesty flavors like green chiles, green bell pepper, chili powder.

07 of 10

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Another holiday heavy-hitter, sweet potato casserole comes out most often at the end of the year when we're gathering with loved ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pick your preference: topped with marshmallows or sugary pecans; either way, it's an absolute must.

08 of 10

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

This family- and crowd-friendly meal gets gobbled up at all kinds of occasions. Folks love it for its versatility and familiar creamy, cheesy flavor profile. The substitution of spaghetti noodles as a starch to hold everything together makes it a welcome departure from other cracker-based casseroles.

09 of 10

Pineapple Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Some may consider it controversial, but all real Southerners know, there's nothing not to love about this classic dish. If you think hot fruit and bubbly cheese don't go together, you've got another thing coming once you try just one bite of this masterpiece. The Ritz cracker topping is key to this favorite Easter Sunday side.

10 of 10

Best Breakfast Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole, Poppy Seed Chicken, Old-School Squash Casserole, Cheesy Broccoli-And-Rice Casserole, Classic Green Bean Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Pineapple Casserole, Best Breakfast Casserole

Casseroles are a 24-hour-a-day food, and this breakfast casserole proves it. Combining all the hits of a Southern breakfast (eggs, hashbrowns, sausage) into one oven-ready dish is a stroke of pure genius that lends itself to occasion brunches and morning celebrations. Our readers love this one so much, it was named our Most Popular Recipe of 2024.

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