18 Casserole Side Dishes to Make for Dinner Right Now

When it comes to casserole side dishes, we’ve got you covered. Cheesy broccoli, spaghetti squash, or scalloped potatoes are all amazing compliments to your weeknight meal.

By
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice
Lori Rice is a food and beverage writer and photographer. Her work can be found in CiderCraft Magazine, King Arthur Flour’s SIFT Magazine, The Coastal Table, and Plate Magazine, as well as at CraftBeer.com.
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Published January 31, 2022
Lori Rice
18 Casserole Side Dishes to Make for Dinner Right Now // Lori Rice

Simply Recipes

Casseroles can be family recipes that have been made for generations or modern recreations of classics meant to save you time in the kitchen. Regardless of the ingredients, a casserole is a recipe that includes a combination of vegetables, sauces, and often cheeses that are stirred together and baked creating an easy side dish. Sometimes they go by the name of casserole, but these recipes can be called bakes and gratins, too.

Whether they are gifted to the new neighbors who just moved in, served with family at the holidays, or presented to friends at a potluck, casseroles were meant to be shared. Most casserole recipes make enough to feed eight or more people and many can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen before baking.

Some casseroles focus more on the vegetables in an effort to offer a healthier option while others are downright indulgent to create the ultimate comfort food. This list of casserole side dishes gives you a little bit of everything for recipe ideas you can serve among family and friends all year long.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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    Continue to 5 of 18 below.

  • 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.

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  • Brussels Sprouts, Mushroom & Goat Cheese Casserole

    Brussels Sprouts, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Strata baked until golden and crispy in a cast iron skillet.
    Sarah Fritsche

    If you get bored with the cheddar in so many casseroles, branch out with this recipe that uses goat cheese! Almost like a holiday stuffing, this vegetarian recipe is hearty enough to pair with something simple like Spinach Salad with Roasted Grapes (with or without the bacon dressing).

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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    Continue to 9 of 18 below.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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    Continue to 13 of 18 below.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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    Continue to 17 of 18 below.

  • 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.

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  • 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.

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