20 Casserole Side Dishes To Make for Dinner Again and Again

When it comes to casserole side dishes, Simply Recipes has you covered. Cheesy broccoli, spaghetti squash, or scalloped potatoes are all amazing compliments to your weeknight meal.

Oct 18, 2024 - 17:17
20 Casserole Side Dishes To Make for Dinner Again and Again
Casserole Dish of Trinidadian Macaroni Pie Cut into Individual Servings with One Piece Lifted Using a Spatula
Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse

Here is a list of casserole side dishes, perfect for serving for dinner and for leftovers the next day.

1. Cheesy Potato Casserole

A close up side view of a glass casserole dish with a wooden spoon scooping out the potato casserole.
Nick Evans | Art Banner Credit: Andy Christensen

The combination of potatoes and cheese is even better when the recipe is easy to make and loved by the whole family. These cheesy hash browns meet all of that criteria. Be sure to check out the “Dad Add” in this recipe if you’d like to spice things up a bit with serrano peppers.

2. Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Casserole - an easy broccoli casserole you'll love!
Elise Bauer

This recipe turns a broccoli and cheese side dish into a quick casserole. The addition of bacon gives this one a little something special with a smoky flavor that is pleasantly unexpected.

3. Green Bean Casserole from Scratch

Classic Green Bean Casserole
Megan Keno

This recipe takes a holiday favorite that uses several processed ingredients and shows you how to make it all from scratch. You can put your touch on everything from the cream sauce to the crispy onions.

4. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Sally Vargas

This recipe takes plain spaghetti squash and combines it with two kinds of cheeses. It’s a casserole that can be made ahead and either refrigerated or frozen to bake later, just before serving.

5. Trinidadian Macaroni Pie

Casserole Dish of Trinidadian Macaroni Pie Cut into Individual Servings with One Piece Lifted Using a Spatula
Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse

Contributor Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse says, "Bucatini is a popular choice for macaroni pie, but you can certainly use elbows. The idea is to choose a tubular pasta shape that will capture the seasonings and delicious sauce inside the noodle."

6. Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch

Broccoli Rice Casserole in a Casserole Dish
Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

Contributor Lori Rice says, "It’s important not to overbake the casserole so that it doesn’t dry out. The sauce will start bubbling after about 30 minutes and, since all ingredients are cooked, it only needs to bubble for 5 minutes before it’s ready. Any longer and you risk drying out the casserole."

7. Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

Scooping Easy Cauliflower Bake out of a glass casserole dish.
Coco Morante

Broccoli and cheese shouldn’t get all the attention when cauliflower is equally as tasty. This baked cauliflower is coated in a creamy, smooth cheese sauce. It’s a side that goes well with Smothered Pork Chops.

8. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twiced baked potato casserole in casserole dish
Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

Contributor Brianne Ross says, "Idaho, Yukon gold, and russet potatoes all fall into the starchy potato category (as opposed to waxy), and these are the potatoes you want to use for this casserole."

9. Cheesy Baked Zucchini Noodle Casserole

Zucchini Noodle Casserole
Elise Bauer

If your past experiences with zoodles (zucchini noodles) is that they are a bit bland, this low-carb, gluten-free recipe will change your mind. Zucchini noodles are baked with crushed tomatoes and cheeses for a lightened-up, lasagna-inspired side dish.

10. Apple Sweet Potato Matzo Bake

Matzo Casserole with Apples and Sweet Potatoes
Coco Morante

Casseroles don’t have to be all vegetables! This dish combines apples and sweet potatoes with matzo for a layered, modern side dish inspired by matzo brei and ideal for a Passover dinner.

11. Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

How to make scalloped potatoes
Elise Bauer

This is our version of a classic, shareable side dish. Thinly sliced potatoes bake in a creamy sauce flavored with Swiss cheese and parmesan with bits of bacon, parsley, and chives. Try pairing this one with Glazed Baked Ham.

12. Potatoes Au Gratin

Au Gratin Potatoes baked in a casserole dish until golden brown.
Sally Vargas

You can make this simple gratin as is or take the long list of suggestions for cheese swaps and herb or vegetable additions to make it all your own. Swap the gruyere for smoked gouda, add some rosemary, or sprinkle in some oregano.

13. Turnip Gratin

Turnip Gratin
Elise Bauer

Switch things up from the classic potato gratin and try this version with turnips. Tender peppery turnips are baked with bread, onions, and gruyere for a side dish that will add an innovative twist to the meal on your dinner table.

14. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans

Sweet Potato Casserole
Lisa Lin

This traditional Thanksgiving casserole is given a special touch of flavor with the addition of lots of aromatic orange zest. Then the sweet potato filling gets a dose of seasonal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and it’s topped with a crunchy, crumble-like pecan topping.

15. Brussels Sprouts Gratin

Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Elise Bauer

When roasted Brussel Sprouts just aren’t exciting enough for a special occasion, turn them into a gratin! The cheesy sauce and bits of savory pancetta make this simple casserole an unforgettable side dish. It’s an especially good match for Smoked Turkey Breast during the holiday season.

16. Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato Gratin

Zucchini Eggplant Tomato Gratin
Elise Bauer

This recipe proves that not all gratins need to be made with potatoes. Summer vegetables are sliced and baked in this gratin with a little cheese, but without the heavy cream sauce. Swap in summer squash or mushrooms to switch this one up. It goes well with a lighter main dish such as Baked Tilapia in Lemon Butter Sauce.

17. Fennel Gratin

Fennel Gratin
Elise Bauer

Fennel is an under-used vegetable, especially as a gratin. But its vibrant flavor tastes even better when it’s baked in a cream sauce. This gratin uses mozzarella cheese and is topped with breadcrumbs for a little crunch with each bite.

18. Zucchini and Spinach Gratin

Zucchini Spinach Gratin
Elise Bauer

This vegetable side dish is the one to turn to when summer hits and you have more zucchini than you know what to do with. It’s loaded with two pounds of zucchini and bakes into a rich, savory side dish thanks to bacon, garlic, and parmesan.

19. Cheesy Grits Soufflé Bake

Grits Casserole - grits casserole
Sally Vargas

Sour cream and cheddar make these baked grits incredibly rich and cheesy while whipped egg whites keep it light and airy as it bakes to create an irresistible souffle like dish.

20. Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Bake

Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Bake
Elise Bauer

There’s no pre-sautéing or browning with this casserole dish and it’ll be ready to bake in just 15 minutes. When it’s not being served alongside turkey, Classic Baked Chicken or Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Pork Tenderloin are other entrees that could use this bake as a side.