27 Christmas Eve Casseroles Fit For A Crowd

By

Mary Shannon Wells

Updated on October 20, 2023

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole — Photo: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

With these Christmas-worthy casserole recipes, you can feed and satisfy any Christmas Eve crowd, whether it's at a laid-back gathering or an elaborate dinner party. With high yields and easy prep, these casseroles are ideal for December 24. And with recipes like lasagna, chicken-and-wild rice casserole, and enchiladas, even the pickiest eaters at your table will be happy. Since casseroles freeze well, you could even make these casseroles ahead and reheat just in time for Christmas Eve dinner. With all the stress (and fun!) that comes with Christmastime planning and events, there's no need to worry about Christmas Eve dinner anymore. These Christmas casseroles are the easiest way to feed a crowd, and they're company-worthy for your out-of-town guests.

01 of 27

Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding — Emily Laurae / Southern Living

Yes, corn pudding is technically a casserole, and yes, it's delicious. Chopped onion and fresh thyme add a savory twist in this recipe.

02 of 27

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole — Alison Miksch

This dish combines some of our favorite ingredients — hot ground sausage, flaky croissants, and Parmesan and Gruyère cheeses — for cheesy goodness in every bite.

03 of 27

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad in a red dish with strawberry linen — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

It might sound like a dessert, but we think this recipe can — and should — be enjoyed during any part of the Christmas Eve meal.

04 of 27

Extra-Easy Lasagna

Extra-Easy Lasagna — Southern Living

You'll have a seemingly endless to-do list the week of Christmas, so make Christmas Eve stress-free with this five-ingredient lasagna recipe.

05 of 27

Oyster Casserole

Oyster Casserole — Greg DuPree

As dish that's part of many Southerners' Christmas traditions, this oyster casserole is our test kitchen's best version ever.

06 of 27

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon And Shallots

Southern Living Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots — Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Bacon and shallots add a smokey, savory flavor to this dish, which is sure to woo even brussel sprout skeptics.

07 of 27

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Published in the pages of Southern Living in November 1990, this casserole has stood the test of time. The recipe has endless replacement options, so you can use whichever ingredients are in already your fridge.

08 of 27

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole — Greg DuPree

This creamy Alfredo dish is as cozy and comforting as it gets, so it's ideal for a casual Christmas Eve spent by the fire.

09 of 27

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Casserole — Courtney West

We wanted a more flavorful base for this casserole than the traditional condensed soup, so we whipped up a delicious sauce made with whole milk and Cheddar cheese.

10 of 27

Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole

Overnight Eggnog-French Toast Casserole — Caitlin Bensel

This recipe combines Challah, a traditional Jewish braided bread; eggnog that suites your desired sweetness; and Turbinado sugar, brown sugar's more coarse and flavorful cousin.

11 of 27

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole — Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

We don't mean to brag, but this might be the fluffiest mashed potato casserole of all time. Prep it a day ahead to mitigate stress holiday morning.

12 of 27

Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Mrs. Harland J. Stone from Ocala, Florida, sent us this recipe that was published in the November 1990 edition of Southern Living, and it was too delicious to leave in the archives.

13 of 27

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole — Becky Luigart-Stayner

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole will always be a staple at Southern gatherings, including those during the holiday season.

14 of 27

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage — Southern Living

Don't worry about missing any valuable family time. This ziti is on the table in under an hour.

15 of 27

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas — Southern Living

We heard that the Bush family eats chicken enchiladas on Christmas Eve, and that's a family tradition we can support!

16 of 27

French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole — JENNIFER CAUSEY; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

This hearty, indulgent take on French onion soup is fitting for a cozy Christmas Eve dinner. The casserole is rich with layers of crunchy bread, onions, and melted cheese.

17 of 27

Tomato-Basil Lasagna Roll Ups

Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls — Hector Sanchez

These meatless lasagna rolls make for such a pretty (and yummy) Christmas Eve dinner plate.

18 of 27

Turkey Pot Pie with Cranberry-Pecan Crusts

Turkey Pot Pie With Cranberry-Pecan Crusts — Tina Cornett

Swap chicken for turkey in this seasonal version of your favorite pot pie. You can go with a traditional top crust in one piece or opt for festive shapes.

19 of 27

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole — Hector Sanchez

Wow your Christmas Eve guests with this gorgeous entrée of country ham, tangy gravy, mushrooms, and nutty wild rice.

20 of 27

New Tuna Casserole with Potato Chips

New Tuna Casserole — Greg Dupree

Both crunchy and creamy, our New Tuna Casserole one-ups the classic with the help of crunchy potato chips.

21 of 27

Onion-Topped Sausage 'n' Mashed Potato Casserole

Onion-Topped Sausage ‘n’ Mashed Potato Casserole — Jennifer Davick

This casserole is even easier to make than it looks. It's also filling enough to last post-dinner chats.

22 of 27

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole

Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole — Iain Bagwell

This earthy, aromatic casserole is the definition of company-worthy. A tip from the test kitchen: Let this dish stand a few minutes after baking so the rice will absorb the liquid, yielding a creamy texture.

23 of 27

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Easy Chicken Spaghetti — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This casserole is excellent for any occasion, but it's especially easy to throw together on a busy Christmas Eve.

24 of 27

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole — Hector Sanchez

This easy casserole is basically an enchilada version of lasagna, with corn tortillas separating the layers instead of noodles.

25 of 27

Eggplant Rollups

Eggplant Rollups — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

This low-carb meal will satisfy your family's lasagna cravings, and it looks beautiful when plated.

26 of 27

Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna — Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

You can put this classic lasagna together and freeze up to three months in advance. Planning for Christmas Eve dinner has never been easier.

27 of 27

Meatloaf Casserole

Meatloaf Casserole — Micah A. Leal

If you thought meatloaf was just for busy weeknight dinners, think again. This classic dish has a flavorful ground beef base topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.

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