The Comfort Food Comeback: Why Casseroles Are Having a Moment

Have you heard that “Grandma hobbies” are back? Seems that in this age of digital everything there’s a strong craving for a little dose of analog. Knitting, needlepoint, letter writing, and more are all experiencing an uptick in popularity. Maybe you’re craving a little of that same old-fashioned ease at dinnertime, too. These retro casseroles lean into practical ingredients, smart shortcuts, and dishes designed to feed a crowd—or stretch into tomorrow—proving that some ideas are worth revisiting, especially when it comes to getting a satisfying meal on the table.

Credit: Carson Downing

Midwest Classics and Beyond

Casseroles, once a staple of American home cooking, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. From regional specialties to adaptable family favorites, these dishes offer comfort, convenience, and a taste of nostalgia.

Hotdish: A Midwestern Staple

If you’re from the Midwest, chances are you already grasp this hearty bake of pasta, tomato sauce, a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, and plenty of cheese. It’s got its roots in Ohio where it was named after an Italian restaurateur and quickly became a church-supper favorite. The recipe is easy to adapt based on what you have on hand, and like many old-school casseroles, it somehow tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had time to settle in.

Credit: Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly

Known in the Upper Midwest as a “hotdish,” this classic casserole layers ground beef, frozen veggies, and a creamy pantry-and-freezer–friendly sauce, all topped with golden tots. It’s a fun way to get kids to eat their vegetables, and adults can’t help sneaking seconds, too. It’s a one-dish meal that’s “peak comfort food,” according to one happy fan.

No-Peek Chicken and Rice

There’s only one rule when it comes to this dump-and-bake casserole: don’t peek! Chicken thighs and rice mingle in a 9×13 with a couple cans of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups, then the whole thing is tightly covered with foil. That sealed bake gently steams everything so the chicken stays super moist and the rice cooks up perfectly tender. If you’re feeling fancy, you can toss in sautéed onion, garlic, and fresh mushrooms, as one reader does to “grab it up a notch.”

Credit: Kelsey Hansen

Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Casserole

This “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” casserole is a lifesaver when you need dinner with minimal planning, and the name is part of the charm. Layers of ground beef, pantry and freezer staples like frozen veggies, hash browns, and canned tomatoes bake together into something surprisingly hearty and cohesive. A crunchy cornflake topping seals the deal, delivering that unmistakably old-school finish that would earn Grandma’s seal of approval.

Credit: Kelsey Hansen

Cheesy Potatoes and Classic Sides

If you know and love “cheesy potatoes,” this casserole will feel instantly familiar. Frozen hash browns bake into a rich, scoopable side loaded with cheese and creaminess, channeling the flavors of the restaurant favorite. Readers love making it their own: one tops it with French fried onions during the last few minutes of baking for extra crunch, while another swears by a blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese. It’s the kind of dependable side dish that people ask for on repeat.

Credit: Blaine Moats

Scalloped potatoes, a dish that doesn’t need a comeback—it never really left. Thinly sliced potatoes bake slowly in butter and cream, creating a decadent side that’s rich without ever feeling heavy. A long stint in the oven softens the potatoes first, then lets the cheese bubble and brown to perfection. The result? A craveable, familiar favorite that makes any meal feel a little more celebratory.

Creamy Chicken and Rice

This is the kind of creamy, comforting casserole that’s been quietly holding a spot on family dinner tables for generations. Chicken and rice bake together in Alfredo sauce, creating a dish that feels 100% homemade while giving the cook a break with a few shortcuts (hello, bottled Alfredo sauce and roasted red peppers). Bonus: it’s a smart way to use up leftover cooked chicken and rice.

Credit: Blaine Moats

Tuna Noodle and Ground Beef Bakes

It doesn’t get much more retro than tuna noodle casserole. But not all throwback recipes need a can of creamed soup to strike that nostalgic chord. In this freshened-up take, noodles and tuna are baked in a creamy, from-scratch sauce and topped with panko for a crisp, golden finish. You can make it ahead to fit your modern weeknight, too: assemble, chill, and bake whenever you’re ready—or bake and freeze for later.

Credit: Jake Sternquist / Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to this casserole, and that’s the appeal. Noodles, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy cream cheese–sour cream mixture are layered with spinach, then repeated, giving you a clear game plan that still leaves plenty of room to play. Swap the greens, change the protein, or use whatever pasta is hanging out in the pantry. It’s forgiving, flexible, and the kind of dinner that makes good use of what you already have.

A Low-Drama Dinner

If you’re cooking for picky eaters, this cheesy ground beef and pasta bake knows the assignment. The flavors are familiar and flexible, with plenty of room to adjust things to suit your table. One reader skips the green pepper entirely and adds extra green onions instead, while another suggests seasoning the sauce to taste and finishing it with a layer of mozzarella during the last few minutes of baking. It’s the kind of low-drama dinner that goes over well without needing a sales pitch.

Credit: Andy Lyons

Taking a cue from the 1950s cooking playbook, this dish celebrates the era when casseroles were designed to be practical, filling, and easy to pull off. Cooked chicken, pasta, canned soup, and cheese bake together under a buttery cracker topping that adds crunch without extra work. It’s low-effort by design, which explains why this style of cooking never really went out of fashion.