22 Summer Casseroles You’ll Want to Make Forever
22 Summer Casseroles You’ll Want to Make Forever
Introduction
Summer is the perfect time to experiment with fresh and vibrant ingredients in your cooking. Casseroles are a great way to combine these flavors and textures in a delicious and satisfying meal. In this article, we’ll explore 22 summer casseroles that you’ll want to make forever. From classic comfort food to innovative twists, these recipes are sure to inspire your next dinner party or family gathering.
Summer Casseroles to Try
Cheesy Black Bean & Quinoa Skillet Casserole
This Southwestern-inspired casserole is stuffed with quinoa and plenty of fresh vegetables. Sharp Cheddar cheese flavors the filling and adds a layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese on top.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Casserole
This healthy vegetarian casserole is a standout on any table. Crushed red pepper provides a little kick to this creamy main dish. We love the ease of jarred roasted red peppers, but if you have time, feel free to roast them yourself.
Creamy Corn Casserole with Lime, Chiles & Cilantro
If you like the Mexican corn dish known as esquites, you’ll love this creamy corn casserole. Sweet corn and tangy lime brighten up this easy casserole, while serrano chiles and cotija cheese add spice and a salty note to keep everything balanced.
Creamy Squash Casserole
This squash casserole recipe features sharp Cheddar cheese, yellow squash, and a buttery, crispy cracker topping. It is key to cook down the squash in the skillet first, then drain and pat it dry as best you can so the casserole doesn’t become too watery.
Caprese Casserole
This healthy casserole comes together easily, making it the perfect choice for any weeknight dinner. Be sure not to overcook the pasta or it will turn mushy. And don’t skip the balsamic vinegar at the end—it’s a bright finishing touch.
Summer Vegetable Tian
This pretty vegan layered casserole is so simple to make. Its only seasonings are salt and garlic-infused olive oil, which you make by sizzling a clove of garlic in olive oil for about a minute. This dish is lovely warm or room temperature. Serve with crusty bread as a vegetarian main course.
Hasselback Eggplant Parmesan
The coolest way to make classic eggplant parm—and easier too! Use the hasselback technique to make partial cuts into the whole eggplant every 1/4 inch or so to fill up with melty cheese, flavorful sauce, and crunchy breadcrumbs.
Summer Vegetable Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Summer’s harvest—eggplant, corn, and zucchini—stars in this healthy casserole that’s perfect for serving a crowd or for a dinner with leftovers for the next day.
Zucchini Rice Casserole
We pack extra vegetables into this cheesy baked rice casserole. Plus, we substitute brown rice for white, reduce the cheese by half, and swap turkey sausage for pork sausage. If you’re bringing it to a potluck, plan to reheat it before serving.
Slow-Cooker Quinoa-Summer Squash Casserole
As this layered slow-cooker squash casserole recipe cooks, the liquid from the tangy tomatillo salsa and summer squash is absorbed by the quinoa, adding tons of flavor to the final dish.
Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan doesn’t have to include layers of deep-fried eggplant and mountains of cheese. This healthy eggplant Parmesan is satisfying without piling on the calories and fat.
Zucchini Gratin
This delicious zucchini gratin recipe has a delectable crispy Parmesan and breadcrumb topping and is made without any butter or cream, allowing the fresh zucchini flavor to shine. Slice the zucchini uniformly to ensure even cooking.
Chilaquiles Casserole
Our version of this enchilada-style chilaquiles casserole is packed with nutritious beans and vegetables. Canned prepared enchilada sauce has great flavor and keeps the prep time quick. It can vary in heat level so find one that suits your taste. If you want to eliminate the heat altogether, try a green enchilada sauce (which is often milder than red) or substitute two 8-ounce cans of plain tomato sauce.
Quinoa Lasagna
This healthy quinoa lasagna recipe has a layer of quinoa (rather than noodles) along with vegetables, cheese, and herbs.
Conclusion
These 22 summer casseroles are sure to become your new go-to recipes for warm weather gatherings. From classic comfort food to innovative twists, there’s something for everyone in this collection. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a show-stopping main course for a dinner party, these casseroles are sure to impress.
FAQs
Q: What are some common ingredients used in summer casseroles?
A: Common ingredients used in summer casseroles include fresh vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and squash, as well as herbs like basil and cilantro.
Q: Can I make summer casseroles ahead of time?
A: Yes, many summer casseroles can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.
Q: What are some tips for cooking with fresh vegetables in summer casseroles?
A: Some tips for cooking with fresh vegetables in summer casseroles include using a variety of colors and textures, cooking vegetables until they’re tender but still crisp, and seasoning with herbs and spices to bring out their natural flavors.
Q: Can I substitute ingredients in summer casseroles?
A: Yes, many ingredients in summer casseroles can be substituted with similar alternatives. For example, you can use ground turkey instead of ground beef or substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
