Cozy and comforting, casseroles are important fall dishes for weeknights and holidays alike. When the times are chilly, we love turning on the oven, popping in a saucy, typically tacky dish of assorted colours, textures, and flavors, and watching it emerge in golden perfection. Higher but, plenty of casseroles could be ready forward, at our leisure, and easily baked or reheated when it is time to eat. We have rounded up our favourite casseroles with autumnal components, from creamy gratins to baked pasta dishes, that may be made no less than partially prematurely to maintain mealtime straightforward and scrumptious.
Braised Brisket Potato Tot Casserole
Beer-braised brisket and caramelized brussels sprouts are mixed with a mushroom bechamel, then topped with frozen potato tots tossed with Parmesan and truffle oil and baked to perfection. The elements could be made a day prematurely and assembled simply earlier than baking.
Lazy Hen-and-Sausage Cassoulet
Cookbook creator Molly Stevens’ fast tackle this hearty French casserole consists of boneless, skinless rooster thighs, smoked sausage, and loads of white beans. It may be absolutely assembled and refrigerated the day earlier than, then baked if you’re able to eat.
Fennel Buried in Cream
Completely tender bulbs of fennel are submerged in garlicky cream sauce and coated in a blanket of Parmesan for this decadent gratin. It may be baked a day prematurely and browned within the broiler simply earlier than serving.
Mushroom Parmesan
Panko-coated hen-of-the-woods mushrooms sub in for the everyday eggplant on this tacky, tomato-y casserole. The sauce could be made a day forward and saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots
This Swiss twist on a fall basic will get wealthy taste from Gruyère and a lush creaminess from Raclette. To stability the tacky richness, we have added some shallots which are shortly pickled in apple cider vinegar. Put the dish collectively a day prematurely and bake it off simply earlier than serving.
Rutabaga, Celery Root, and Potato Gratin
Creamy layered potatoes get reinvigorated by a hearty mixture of rutabaga and celery root, which brings an earthy depth and a fascinating, delicate sweetness for a flavorful carry. Refrigerate the unbaked gratin in a single day and bake it simply earlier than dinner.
Crusty Baked Shells and Cauliflower
Ina Garten’s cozy three-cheese baked pasta showcases easy sautéed cauliflower flavored with sage, capers, garlic, lemon zest, and pink pepper flakes. Assemble the dish, cowl, and refrigerate in a single day, then bake earlier than serving.
Candy Potato Casserole
Silky pureed candy potatoes are adorned with a candy and crunchy pecan-cornflake topping for this autumnal Southern basic. The casserole could be baked as much as 4 hours forward and served heat or at room temperature.
Mashed-Potato Casserole with Sage and Fontina
Cookbook creator Melissa Clark elevates conventional mashed potatoes by incorporating a creamy, tangy mixture of crème fraîche, butter, parsley, and sage earlier than topping them with tacky breadcrumbs that flip delightfully crisp within the oven. The unbaked casserole could be refrigerated in a single day.
Tacky Blended Pasta Casserole with Mushrooms
Former F&W editor Melissa Rubel Jacobson makes a roux with dried porcini mushrooms, then marries the sauce with a pound of contemporary mushrooms sautéed in butter, nutty Fontina, and no matter quick pasta she has available. Should you like, refrigerate the baked dish in a single day and reheat to serve.
Squash Gratin with Poblanos and Cream
Los Angeles chef Julie Robles makes this vegetarian gratin in particular person dishes with a topping of candied pepitas. Our simplified model is for one large gratin that may be refrigerated unbaked in a single day. Return to room temperature earlier than baking and garnish with plain toasted pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin Lasagna
Made with canned pumpkin puree, Swiss chard, sage, nutmeg, and two cheeses, this unmistakably fall-flavored lasagna could be layered collectively a day forward and refrigerated till it is time to bake and eat.
Broccoli and Wild Mushroom Casserole
Photographer and Alabamian Robert Rausch grew up consuming a model of this homey casserole. He nonetheless depends on Ritz crackers for the crispy, buttery topping however upgrades the same old canned mushroom soup with wild mushrooms. The baked dish could be refrigerated in a single day and reheated earlier than serving.
Polenta Gratin with Spinach and Wild Mushrooms
Right here, wild mushrooms are blended with spinach and cream, then baked in a luscious gratin underneath easy rounds of precooked polenta till effervescent sizzling. Unbaked, this dish could be refrigerated in a single day.
Sausage-and-Maple Bread Pudding
This breakfast bake is an all-in-one tackle French toast with maple syrup and sausage. A pint of melted vanilla (or cinnamon) ice cream enriches the dish’s custard base. The assembled bread pudding could be chilled within the fridge as much as six hours earlier than baking.