19 Crowd-Pleasing Casseroles and Gratins for Your Thanksgiving Table

From mac and cheese to potato gratin, these Thanksgiving casserole recipes will help you feed hungry holiday guests.

twice-baked potato and raclette casserole — Credit:
Paola + Murray

Perhaps no holiday reminds us that food is a universal language quite like Thanksgiving. Turkey Day is known for its decadent array of mains, sides, stuffings, and desserts, and the work that goes into making a delicious holiday feast can exhaust even the most experienced of cooks.

Luckily, there's one type of dish that's as easy to make as it is delicious: the casserole. And this collection of our favorite casserole recipes will make the holiday a little easier. From creamy gratins to hearty baked pasta dishes, these crowd-friendly Thanksgiving casserole recipes will make your holiday a delicious success.

01 of 19

Turnip and Sweet Potato Gratin

A supremely easy gratin, thin slices of turnip and sweet potato are baked with broth and wine until soft, then covered in a layer of melted Gruyère cheese.

02 of 19

Pimiento Mac and Cheese

pimiento mac and cheese served in a white casserole dish — Con Poulos

Add a little Southern flair to this year’s mac and cheese. Homemade pimiento cheese and béchamel sauce create the most luxurious and rich casserole, and the flavors are perfectly balanced between spicy and savory.

03 of 19

Leek Gratin

Leek Gratin — Jacob Fox

If you don’t count salt and pepper, this savory dish can be made with just three ingredients: leeks, heavy cream, and Pecorino Romano cheese. The leeks and cream cook down together until the leeks are soft like butter and the cream has thickened to a saucy consistency. A sprinkle of nutty Pecorino takes it over the top.

04 of 19

Tian Provencal With Polenta

Bryan Gardner

A layer of silky polenta sits below the roasted zucchini, tomatoes, leeks, and eggplant in this hearty tian.

05 of 19

Easy Cauliflower Gratin

While potato gratin may be more well known, this cauliflower version of the dish is we think, even better. Cauliflower is cooked with butter, flour, and Gruyère cheese then placed in a gratin dish, topped with a bread-crumb mixture, and baked until golden-brown color.

06 of 19

Lasagna With Meat Sauce

Lasagna with Meat Sauce — Brie Goldman

A meat sauce flavored with seasoned ground beef and sweet Italian sausage is layered with a homemade three-cheese mixture and dry lasagna noodles in our favorite lasagna. The timeless baked dish is a holiday must-have.

07 of 19

Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli Casserole — Martyna Szczesna

Our elevated version of the beloved side dish features gouda, sour cream, and cremini mushrooms while Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper punch up the flavor.

08 of 19

Sweet Potato and Sage Butter Casserole

Sweet and white potatoes come together in this rich casserole. Milk and butter add the creaminess and sage is the star flavor; it's an earthy herb that's so right for fall food.

09 of 19

Pumpkin and Pecorino Gratin

Pumpkin brings a sweet, autumnal flavor to every dish it touches. Here, it's puréed and topped with a pecorino cheese-breadcrumb mixture. This super-seasonal gratin comes together in just 45 minutes.

10 of 19

Green-Bean Casserole With Fried Shallots

casserole with fried onion on top — Joseph Scafuro

A fresh take on green bean casserole, this dish starts with the beans, red bell pepper, and button mushrooms. Another thing that sets it apart from the rest is its fried shallot topping. Save time the day of Thanksgiving by cooking the shallots and assembling the casserole ahead of time.

11 of 19

Twice-Baked Potato-and-Raclette Gratin

twice-baked potato and raclette casserole — Paola + Murray

Inspired by the cheesy deliciousness of fondue, this gratin will steal the show at Thanksgiving. Raclette cheese gives the twice-baked potatoes an unbeatable level of creaminess. This clever recipe uses the potato skins as a crispy garnish.

12 of 19

Three-Pepper Corn Casserole

Mike Krautter

Give classic corn casserole a twist by adding a touch of spice. Chipotle chiles, green bell peppers, and pepper jack cheese take the beloved dish to the next level. Serve it with salsa, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream.

13 of 19

Creamed Spinach Gratin

creamed spinach gratin — Ngoc Minh Ngo

Gruyère cheese melts so well and is the perfect ingredient in homemade cheese-sauce. Here, it transforms a humble spinach gratin with its nutty flavor. A toasted breadcrumb topping adds the necessary crunchy textural element.

14 of 19

Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin

Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin — Brie Goldman

This vegetarian casserole could also be a main. It's packed with hearty honeynut squash (the diminutive cousin to the butternut) along with buttery, creamy brie cheese and sweet yet pungent caramelized leeks.

15 of 19

Macaroni and Cheese

perfect macaroni and cheese — Bryan Gardner

No holiday would be complete without macaroni and cheese. Our easy-to-make version has been a favorite for years. Elbow macaroni is mixed with a creamy béchamel sauce and sprinkled with three cheeses before baking.

16 of 19

Very Vegetable Lasagna

Anson Smart

If you have vegetarian guests attending Thanksgiving dinner, this vegetable lasagna is a perfect dish to add. to the mix. Layers of ricotta, zucchini, and lasagna noodles make a hearty baked pasta that even carnivores can get behind.

17 of 19

Sausage-and-Kale Stuffed Shells

Sausage and Kale Stuffed Shells — Justin Walker

Save prep time the day of Thanksgiving by making some sides a day or two early, like this baked pasta. Assemble the dish with sauce, cheese, kale, Italian sausage, and jumbo shells the night before and pop it into the oven before serving.

18 of 19

Butternut Squash and Kale Gratin

Chris Court

Sweet and earthy butternut squash is the autumnal vegetable to work into your Thanksgiving feast. Keep it simple, like this recipe does, and the gourd will speak for itself. Slice and layer it in a baking dish with kale and parmesan.

19 of 19

Corn Pudding With Chives

Frozen corn makes quick work of this savory custard-like casserole. Heaping scoops of corn pudding pair perfectly with the rest of your Thanksgiving sides, from mashed potatoes to mac and cheese.

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