Picking the perfect recipe for a delicious, portable, crowd-pleasing backyard potluck or picnic can be a challenge. But remember, your trusty 13×9 can do it all. Even when summer months feel too hot for the oven, many of us brave the heat to whip up a family favorite recipe. We recently asked our readers to share their favorite casseroles for summer potlucks, and these were the most common responses:
Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
In fact, whenever we survey our readers, some form of squash casserole always ranks high. And why wouldn’t it? This delicious recipe is simple, creamy, and freezes well so you can enjoy summer’s bounty all year round.
Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
No summer get-together is complete without baked beans, and this homemade recipe has simple ingredients like bacon and Worcestershire sauce, and only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
Robbie Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors-Hall
Those in the know will tell you: This recipe has so few ingredients that it can be enjoyed any time of the year, but there’s something magical about it in the summertime—perhaps the unlikely combination of canned pineapple chunks, cheddar cheese, and a crunchy Ritz cracker crust.
Victor Protacio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
While many of us aren’t fans of using the oven in the summer, for others, no potluck is complete without the famous chicken spaghetti. This casserole, with chicken, veggies, and pasta in a creamy sauce, is a mom-approved recipe.
Macaroni and cheese is a staple at any Southern get-together, and while there are many ways to prepare this dish, our simple homemade recipe never disappoints.
Can’t decide between corn casserole and mac and cheese? This delicious dish combines the best of both recipes and will be devoured in no time.
Will Dickey
Toss the cabbage with Parmesan cheese, butter, and breadcrumbs and you have a summer casserole that the whole family will request again and again.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Tori Cox
Impress everyone with this 20-minute casserole using frozen hash browns. What’s so comforting about it? The creamy perfection that comes from the combination of cream-based soup, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Even in the summer, we love potatoes: creamy mashed potatoes tossed with butter, heavy cream, and sour cream, and topped with bacon, crispy potato skins, and cheddar cheese.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Tory Cox
Where is the party? Wherever there’s a skillet of homemade party potatoes. This recipe requires simple ingredients – frozen hash browns, canned cream of chicken soup, and a crunchy corn flake topping – and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
