It’s that time of year again – the holidays are nearly upon us! And with that season comes the inevitable question of what to make for Christmas dinner. Sure, there’s the classic ham or turkey, but what about the side dishes? If you’re looking for the perfect side dish for your holiday get-together this year, look no further than casseroles. Not only are they easy to make, but casseroles are also versatile and can be adapted to fit any diet. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing classic to modern Christmas casserole recipes that you can make for your Christmas dinner this year.
Christmas Casserole Recipes can Include Almost Anything
The holiday season is the perfect time to share parties, memories, and a delicious meal or a few with your loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas Eve dinner or a Christmas Day breakfast or lunch with friends and family, casseroles are one of the best choices for a side dish.
Casseroles are a versatile and tasty meal that can be adapted to fit any diet or taste preference for the whole family. Got some gluten free family and friends? You can still make a casserole they can all enjoy!
When you think of casseroles if they aren’t a staple in your family you probably think of a green bean casserole topped with some French fried onions. But did you know casseroles can be so much more than that? Basically, any mixture baked together in a casserole dish can become a casserole.
Ever considered a Christmas breakfast casserole? Like something with eggs and cheese or maybe even French toast? I bet you haven’t! Because I sure hadn’t before putting this post together! But those recipes are out there, and I’ll be sharing some of them with you too along with all the classics (in various versions of course so that you are sure to find what you want here in this post.)
Want a more traditional Christmas breakfast idea sure to become a new family tradition? Check out all these21 adorable Christmas breakfast ideas.
Why Christmas Casseroles are the Perfect Side Dish
First, casseroles are a convenient and easy-to-make dish. You can prepare them in advance and cook them for a quick and effortless meal that will save you time and energy. Casseroles also require very few prep dishes, making cleanup a breeze. When you are planning a large meal for family and friends anything that makes it even a smidge easier is a big plus!
Second, you can assemble most Christmas casseroles hours or days before your guests arrive, and heat them up when it’s time to eat. This allows you to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.
Third, casseroles are very versatile and can be adapted for any taste preference or dietary need.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, there’s a casserole recipe that will work for you. You can substitute ingredients or adjust the recipe to your liking. And for those who prefer classic recipes, there are many traditional versions of casseroles that are always crowd-pleasers.
In this post I’m including them all!
Lastly, casseroles can be a great comfort food during the colder months. Christmas is during the winter season when the temperatures are low, and we crave warm, hearty dishes.
Casseroles are often a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, loaded with carbs and protein that will help you feel satisfied and nourished. They are perfect for cold-weather days when you want something filling and comforting.
This is probably why they are a holiday staple in many Southern households and beyond!
RELATED: Looking for another type of Christmas side dish? Check out 41 Christmas side dish recipes of all types!
21 Delicious Christmas Casserole Recipes
Planning your holiday meal can be a bit daunting. Especially if you are expecting a large crowd. I hope this big list of casserole ideas helps you find a perfect dish or two for your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebration (or both)! Pair a casserole with some Christmas appetizersand use thisChristmas meal planner to stay on track to make the whole event go much more smoothly.
Sour Cream Green Bean Casserole
Thissour cream green bean casserole is classic holiday comfort food at its finest! When people sit down at your holiday table and see this, they will know exactly what to expect.This green bean casserole uses fresh green beans and sour cream instead of cream of mushroom soup.
Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole
This Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole is a traditional green bean casserole made without dairy and only requires 9 ingredients. It’s also vegan and gluten-free and comes together very quickly, making it the perfect side dish for your holiday meals!
Southern Broccoli Casserole
Southern Broccoli Casserole is a savory blend of broccoli and cheese with a crunchy, buttery topping. This easy broccoli casserole recipe contains no condensed soup, so it has all of the flavor but none of the not-so-great-for-you ingredients you can’t pronounce!
Zucchini Casserole
This deliciousZucchini Casseroleis a cheesy, creamy, and comforting side dish made with fresh zucchini and yellow squash, mayonnaise, sour cream, panko breadcrumbs, and lots of cheese. It’s super easy to make and pairs perfectly with every type of main course.
Cauliflower Casserole
This cauliflower bake is similar to a loaded baked potato. It has chives, sour cream, bacon, and loads of cheesy goodness. Plus it is low carb! So even if you’ve got some Keto folks in your family, this will let them indulge too!
Broccoli Tomato Casserole
With two kinds of creamy cheese, tender broccoli & fresh cherry tomatoes, this Broccoli Cheese Casserole is a tasty & healthy entree or side. This side is loaded with veggies so you can indulge with a bit less guilt in this side dish this Christmas.
Modern Green Bean Casserole
Thismodern green bean casserole recipe is a casserole in name only. It’s been totally deconstructed! This version of the traditional holiday side dish uses fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and it’s topped with homemade gluten-free fried onions for a modern take on the same great flavors.
Asparagus Casserole
Savory Asparagus Casserole is a creamy veggie side dish featuring fresh asparagus and mushrooms baked in a garlic cheese sauce. This cheesy asparagus bake is topped with crispy parmesan breadcrumbs for a different sort of tasty twist.
The Best Corn Casserole
Thiscorn casserole recipe is the perfect side dish for a holiday meal, uses simple ingredients, and is a favorite recipe loved by so many! If you are a fan of cornbread or creamed corn soup there’s a good chance you’ll love this one.
Gluten Free Corn Casserole
You don’t have to give up classic comfort food just because you’re gluten-free. This Gluten Free Corn Casserole is a simple side dish that will be a hit on your Thanksgiving or Christmas table and no one will even know it’s gluten free unless you tell them.
Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole
This dairy free Gluten Free Sweet Potato Casserole is a perfect delicious Christmas side dish. It’s filled with creamy mashed sweet potatoes and topped with a sweet, crunchy oatmeal topping. Drizzle it with maple syrup and you have a winning side dish that is both gluten free and dairy free.
Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole
Paula Deen’s Sweet Potato Casserole is a decadent Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish with creamy sweet potatoes and a crispy, crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. It’s a perfect side to accompany a savory turkey or ham holiday dinner.
Easy Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet potato casserole is a holiday tradition for both Thanksgiving and Christmas for many families. This recipe is easy to make and topped with marshmallows, just like Mama used to bake!
The Ultimate Southern Green Bean Casserole
This Southern Green Bean Casserole recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It’s made super special with the addition of stuffing mix. There’s so much flavor in this delicious green bean casserole!
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Bake this cheesy Loaded Cauliflower Casserole with bacon, sour cream, green onions, and cheddar cheese in just 30 minutes. If you love loaded potatoes, I insist you give this recipe a try.
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
This easycheesy hashbrown casserole features shredded potatoes in a creamy sauce topped with plenty of gooey cheese. It’s a homemade version of Cracker Barrel’s popular side dish, and it’s perfect for your next holiday meal. This delicious casserole covered in melty cheese is perfect for Christmas Eve or served for breakfast the next day paired with fresh fruit.
French Toast Casserole
Looking for the perfect casserole to make the next morning after a Christmas Eve celebration? ThisFrench Toast Casseroleis the perfect make-ahead breakfast! To make this Christmas morning casserole in a large bowl you’ll create a cinnamon-flavored egg mixture and then mix it with bread cubes until it’s baked to an irresistible golden brown.
Wrapping Up the Best Christmas Casserole Recipes
Casseroles are the perfect side dish for your Christmas celebrations. They are convenient, versatile, and comforting while also providing a delicious and satisfying meal.
Whether you prefer traditional or modern recipes, there’s a casserole recipe that will suit any taste or diet preference and I tried to include as many different versions as possible in this post.
I hope you found the perfect recipe (or two or three) to add to your holiday menu this year to enance your Christmas meal!
