16 Make-Ahead 4th Of July Casserole Recipes To Add To Your Cookout Menu

These casserole recipes might just get more attention than the fireworks this 4th of July.

By
Jenna Sims
Jenna Sims
Jenna Sims
Jenna is a Senior Digital Editor for Southern Living and joined the team in 2014. She writes, produces, and assigns content with a focus on email growth and commerce content. She covers a range of topics in the lifestyle space from holiday gift guides to new product launches to tips for cooking with your air fryer.
Southern Living's editorial guidelines
Updated on September 3, 2024
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Photo: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

We don't think it's ever too early to start planning and prepping for a holiday gathering with family and friends. Make-ahead casseroles are an easy way to make sure you have enough food to serve everyone without stressing on the day of your 4th of July cookout. Plus, casseroles are easy to transport if you need a dish to bake-and-take along with you to a potluck party. From baked beans to macaroni and cheese and more, there are plenty of classic barbecue side dishes that can be prepped in advance and reheated just before serving.

25 Drinks Perfect For Your 4th Of July Cookout Spectacular
01 of 16

Okra And Rice Casserole

Okra and Rice Casserole
Hector Sanchez

Make the most of summer farmer's markets and backyard gardens with this summery, veggie-packed casserole.

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02 of 16

Texas Trash Dip

Southern Living Texas Trash Dip ready to serve with chips

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Don't let the name fool you. This hot dip recipe is worth its weight in gold and will be a hit at all your gatherings.

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03 of 16

Hot Potato Salad

Hot Potato Salad
Helen Norman; Styling: Carrie Purcell

Warm potato salad with bacon, cheese, and salty, briny olives? Yes, please.

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04 of 16

French Dip Sliders

French Dip Sliders

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

These savory roast beef sliders are baked in a casserole dish, and served with au jus for dipping on the side.

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05 of 16

Baked Beans

Baked Beans
Antonis Achilleos

This recipe starts with convenient canned pork and beans. The addition of onion, dry mustard, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar transforms a pantry staple into a dish people will ask about.

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06 of 16

Mac And Cheese With Ham

Baked Smokin’ Macaroni and Cheese
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Kids and adults will come back for a second serving of this homemade macaroni and cheese.

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07 of 16

Easy Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole
Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

No summer potluck is complete without this classic side dish, and this is our very best version.

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08 of 16

Southern Pimiento Mac And Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Hector Sanchez

Get the flavors of two Southern favorites in one dish with this recipe.

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09 of 16

Rum Baked Beans

Grilled Salt-and-Pepper Chicken Wings
Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Preparing these beans up to two days in advance will give the flavors plenty of time to come together.

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10 of 16

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Get all the flavors of a baked potato without having to fool with setting out all of the toppings for your guests.

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11 of 16

Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown Casserole

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This dish can be frozen before or after baking so all you have to do the day of your holiday cookout is pull it out of the freezer to be reheated.

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12 of 16

Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Any summertime gathering should have fresh corn on the menu and this casserole is a delicious way to enjoy the best the season has to offer.

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13 of 16

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

With a short ingredient list, little hands-on time, and the ability to make it ahead, this recipe is the perfect companion for a busy day.

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14 of 16

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Some may argue that these baked ham and cheese sliders aren't technically a casserole, but they come together in a baking pan and are perfectly portable for a 4th of July gathering, so we had to include them here.

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15 of 16

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Broccoli-Cheese Casserole
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Sneak some veggies onto the menu with this cheesy casserole that can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one day.

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16 of 16

Pulled Pork Mac And Cheese

Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Pulled. Pork. Mac and cheese. What more is there to say, really? It feeds a crowd and is just the thing to serve if you want a break from the usual hamburgers and hot dogs.

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Grandma’s 24 Favorite 4th Of July Recipes
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