Cozy casseroles, one-pan dinners and hearty salads are all tricks up a Midwestern mom's sleeve when it comes to getting dinner on the table.
34 Recipes Today’s Midwestern Moms Rely on Most
Updated Aug. 28, 2024
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Chicken & Swiss Casserole
It's nice to have an alternative to the traditional baked ham on Easter. This comforting casserole is always a crowd-pleaser. Using rotisserie chicken from the deli makes prep simple. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota
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Spinach Beef Macaroni Bake
This hearty casserole is great for a family reunion or church supper. I've also made half the recipe for family gatherings. It's become a special favorite of my grandson-in-law and great-grandson, who often ask me to serve it when they're visiting. —Lois Lauppe, Lahoma, Oklahoma
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Cheeseburger Soup
Find out why this easy cheeseburger soup recipe is one of the top-rated recipes on our site!
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Buttermilk Biscuit Ham Potpie
As part of my job, I helped concept a bunch of food trucks, and Biscuit Box was our first. We spent months coming up with recipes. This is a play on our chicken and tarragon potpie. —Michelle Clair, Seattle, Washington
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Deluxe Pizza Casserole
This is the family favorite dish for special occasions, and we always make it for my granddaughter's birthday. Mushrooms are a wonderful addition if you like them. —Vickie Oldham, Dubuque, Iowa
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Mushroom Meat Loaf
We've got your next comfort dinner covered with this easy mushroom meat loaf.
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Taco Noodle Dish
I got creative while we were housebound during a snowstorm one winter...and used ingredients I had on hand to come up with this hearty casserole. Later, I modified it so it has less fat and fewer calories. —Judy Munger, Warren, Minnesota
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Spicy Shepherd's Pie
Taco seasoning adds zip to this hearty main dish. It's easy to top with instant mashed potatoes, which I stir up while browning the beef. —Mary Malchow, Neenah, Wisconsin
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Crescent Turkey Casserole
How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota
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Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Apple Cider Pork Chops
A 15-minute weeknight dinner with deep, rich apple flavors that everyone is going to love.
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Italian Hot Dish
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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Chicken Zucchini Casserole
Fast and delicious, chicken zucchini casserole is an effortless weeknight dish to use up your summer harvest of zucchini.
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Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup
Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to make. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It's wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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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
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Chicken Broccoli Casserole
When you're looking for comfort and ease, this chicken broccoli casserole is the answer to your dinner dreams.
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Italian-Style Chicken & Peppers
I found my mom's well-stained recipe card for chicken and green peppers and was flooded with memories. I'd forgot how good it was! Hope you enjoy. —Donna Miller, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
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Chili Mac Casserole
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
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Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast
This baked barbecue chicken breast will be the star of the show at your next backyard BBQ.
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Chunky Taco Soup
I've gotten great response at our church dinners and senior groups whenever I bring this thick easy-to-fix soup. I usually take home an empty pot and often get requests for the recipe. The flavor seems to improve with leftovers...if there are any! —Evelyn Buford, Belton, Missouri
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Italian Casserole
A hearty casserole is always a good choice for a family meal or a potluck, and this Italian casserole is no exception! Packed with ground beef, sausage, noodles, cheese and olives in a tomato sauce, it's comforting any time you make it.
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Ham & Veggie Casserole
I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Baked Monterey Chicken with Roasted Veggies
Everyone asks me for this baked monterey chicken. Roasting the veggies brings out their sweetness. They're delicious with fettuccine, rice or mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
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Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies
Our sheet-pan chicken and veggies recipe features herby chicken thighs, roasted red potatoes and spinach in one no-muss, no-fuss dish. The best part: Cleanup is a breeze!
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Zucchini Pizza Casserole
A hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.
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Burrito Bake
This burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.
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Chili Coney Dogs
From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan
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Turkey Spaghetti Casserole
My mom made this creamy and comforting dish while I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple yet tasty meal. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio
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Chili Skillet
This hearty chili comes together quickly and is packed with vegetables, cheese and meat. It's an easy-to-prepare one-pan meal that you'll reach for on repeat in the fall and winter months.
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Cashew Chicken Casserole
I especially like this dish because I can get it ready the day before I need it. It's easy to whip up with common pantry items, including macaroni, canned soup and saltine crackers. —Julie Ridlon, Solway, Minnesota
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No-Fuss Chicken
This recipe could hardly be simpler to prepare. The chicken gets a wonderful tangy taste, and no one will know you used convenient ingredients like a bottle of salad dressing and onion soup mix...unless you tell them. —Marilyn Dick, Centralia, Missouri
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Broccoli Biscuit Squares
With their cheesy biscuit-like crust, these pretty squares disappear quickly at our house. We eat them for breakfast, brunch and dinner. —Vi Janus, Pelican Lake, Wisconsin
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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
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Taco Salad
This taco salad combines cold lettuce, warm seasoned beef and crunchy chips with a tangy Catalina dressing for a crowd-pleasing twist on taco night. It is a quick and zesty meal for a busy weeknight.Originally Published: April 03, 2019
