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Layered Beef Casserole
On my busy days, I treasure meal-in-one recipes like this one. Toss together a salad, and dinner is ready in no time. —Dorothy Wiedeman, Eaton, Colorado 2 / 40
Texas-Style Lasagna
With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It's great with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas 3 / 40
Smoky Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
My hearty, delicious, nutrient-packed vegetarian dish is amazingly healthy. Everyone I've made it for has loved it—even carnivores! I always make two batches and freeze one. You'll want to eat this every week! —Elizabeth Lindemann, Salem, Massachusetts 4 / 40
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
I love spicy food, but I think the creaminess of these enchiladas’ topping makes them more friendly to a variety of tastes. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado 5 / 40
Artichoke Chicken
Rosemary, mushrooms and artichokes combine to give this chicken a wonderful, savory flavor. I've served this healthy canned vegetable recipe for a large group by doubling the batch. It's always a big hit with everyone—especially my family! —Ruth Stenson, Santa Ana, California 6 / 40
Double-Duty Layered Enchilada Casserole
Here’s a heap of cozy comfort. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen took my recipe for chili without beans and turned it into a scrumptious enchilada casserole. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio 7 / 40
Chicken & Cheddar Biscuit Casserole
I always get rave reviews when I bring this casserole to my son’s Cub Scouts meetings. It’s the perfect comfort meal after a long day. —Sarah Phillips, East Lansing, Michigan 8 / 40
Vegetable Strata
We always serve food at our Bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we like to make fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington 9 / 40
Make-Ahead Cabbage Rolls
I’ve relied on this recipe for years, and my cabbage rolls never fail to impress. As the host of a number of holiday parties, my guests have come to expect this main entree. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Missouri 10 / 40
Deluxe Hash Brown Casserole
My son-in-law gave me the recipe for this hash brown casserole, which my kids say is addictive. It's an amazing make-ahead dish.—Amy Oswalt, Burr, Nebraska 11 / 40
Zippy Chicken Enchiladas
Leftover chicken gets an awesome makeover in this rich and creamy casserole. This colorful dish is loaded with flavor. It's a nice change of pace from beef enchiladas. —Julie Moutray, Wichita, Kansas 12 / 40
Chicken Broccoli Shells
This cheesy entree is a make-ahead dream. Just assemble it ahead of time and put it in the oven when company arrives. I round out the meal with a tossed salad and warm bread. —Karen Jagger, Columbia City, Indiana 13 / 40
Perfect Four-Cheese Lasagna
Lasagna is one of my favorites, and this is the recipe I’ve been making since I was a teenager. It’s a tantalizing combo of pasta, meat sauce, cheese and more cheese that really lives up to its name! —Lauren Delaney-Wallace, Glen Carbon, Illinois 14 / 40
Beef Noodle Casserole
This beef noodle casserole is perfect when there's a busy day coming up, because you can prepare it ahead of time. It's ideal for a potluck, too. The flavors blend together to create a delicious combination. —Grace Lema, Winton, California 15 / 40
Chicken Tortilla Bake
Mother frequently made this comforting chicken tortilla casserole when I was growing up. Our family would scrape the pan clean. Chicken, cheese and zippy green chiles are a mouthwatering mix.—Jerri Moror, Rio Rancho, New Mexico 16 / 40
Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own version of it—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this when I’m making it and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California 17 / 40
Potluck Taco Casserole
This is the dish I most often take to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio 18 / 40
Cornbread Chicken Bake
To make the most of leftover cornbread, try this hearty main dish casserole. It's moist, delicious and good on any occasion. —Madge Britton, Afton, Tennessee 19 / 40
Taco Spaghetti
I came up with this kid-friendly Southwestern recipe one afternoon when I was using up leftover spaghetti and ground beef. When I’m lucky enough to have extra time, I make two batches and freeze one. —Johanna Van Ness, Wichita, Kansas 20 / 40
Carnitas with Orzo and Peppers in Red Mole Sauce
Here’s a tasty way to stretch your grocery dollar. Pork shoulder roast is combined with orzo, peppers and mole sauce to make a spicy Mexican comfort food. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois 21 / 40
Mushroom Sausage Strata
This flavorful casserole is a hearty mainstay for our family's Christmas Day brunch menu. Being able to assemble the recipe ahead of time is a real plus! —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri 22 / 40
Sausage Manicotti
This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap, but tastes like it took hours. It's so easy to fix, and my family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota 23 / 40
Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake
I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri 24 / 40
Fiesta Chicken
Chili powder and picante sauce add just the right dash to this hearty main dish. It's a snap to assemble since it uses convenience foods. —Teresa Peterson, Kasson, Minnesota 25 / 40
Penne and Smoked Sausage
This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California 26 / 40
Pizza Noodle Bake
Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa 27 / 40
Ham & Cheese Casseroles
I got this recipe from my mother and love it because it’s easy and I’ve usually got the ingredients on hand. It freezes well, so I can have an extra ham and cheese casserole handy for when guests show up. Everyone always likes it; there are never leftovers. —Jan Schoshke, Brookville, Kansas 28 / 40
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
I got this easy chicken cordon bleu recipe from a friend years ago. I freeze several half recipes in disposable pans to share with neighbors or for when I'm pressed for time myself. —Rea Newell, Decatur, Illinois 29 / 40
Turkey Enchilada Lasagna
Everyone will devour this layered southwestern casserole when you bring it to the table. It boasts familiar enchilada flavors in every mouthwatering bite. Feel free to use ground beef in place of the ground turkey if you'd like. —Julie Cackler, West Des Moines, Iowa 30 / 40
Hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This gooey casserole is so hearty and homey that second helpings are a must! —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California 31 / 40
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado 32 / 40
Deep-Dish Pizza
My family devours this crusty pan pizza with easy-to-swap toppings. Use a combination of green, red and yellow peppers for extra color. —Patricia Howson, Carstairs, Alberta 33 / 40
Turkey Cordon Bleu Casserole
Impress your holiday visitors with this fancier twist on the traditional casserole. —Kristine Blauert, Wabasha, Minnesota 34 / 40
Cajun Beef Casserole
Your little ones who refuse to eat veggies won’t complain one bit when you bring this cheesy casserole with a cornbread crust to the table. For picky eaters, try using less Cajun seasoning. —Kelly Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin 35 / 40
Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti
When I invite people to dinner, many have started requesting this pasta bake ahead of time because it's that good. Plus, the manicotti is stuffed before it's cooked, making it even more convenient. —Christy Freeman, Central Point, Oregon 36 / 40
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 37 / 40
Pasta Fagioli al Forno
The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois 38 / 40
Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake
I've taken this hot dish to potlucks and it's received rave reviews. There's never a morsel left. Best of all, it's a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 39 / 40
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
Hearty, rich and creamy, this satisfying dish is the definition of comfort food. This recipe makes two 13x9-inch casseroles, so it's perfect for a crowd. —Salina Bontrager, Kalona, Iowa 40 / 40
New England Lamb Bake
This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine Originally Published: October 31, 2019