Our 40 Favorite Side Dishes That Bake In A 13x9
From a laid-back brunch at home to a dinner party with friends, these 13x9 side dishes are guaranteed to please your crowd every time.
In the South, we love high-quality, multi-functional tools that make our lives a little bit simpler. From cast-irons to Dutch ovens, there are a few kitchen workhorses that we keep on our stove top 24/7—and it doesn't hurt if they look cute to boot. Casserole dishes are items we'll always collect, and not just for the pretty Pyrex patterns. The ability to cook, transport, and serve recipes all in one dish simply makes our lives easier. It's no wonder the 13x9 is one of the South's most beloved dishes to use for cooking. From breakfast to dinner, this trusty vessel does it all. Plus, cooking in this size dish ensures that you always have enough food to go around when you're serving a larger group.
We've been cooking in casserole dishes for as long as we can remember, so we've compiled some of our all-time favorite Southern Living side dishes that bake in a 13x9. From a laid-back meal at home with your family to a dinner party with friends, these side dishes that you can make in your favorite 13x9 casserole dish are guaranteed to please your crowd every time.
Party Potatoes
The only thing better than the texture of this easy 9x13 side dish is the flavor. Party Potatoes do it all, and you probably have all the ingredients you need to make them already on hand.
Scalloped Corn Casserole
You'll know this casserole is ready to come out of the oven when the center is set and the top is golden brown. This traditional flavor combination knocks it out of the park, and you won't see any leftovers lingering on the potluck table. Be sure to consider this dish when you need an easy approach that will feed many.
Okra And Rice Casserole
This casserole recipe proves that there's more ways to enjoy okra than just deep frying it. The smaller pods are the most tender, so look for ones 3-4 inches long. This dish is simple to make, but it packs an amazing amount of flavor from tender sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs.
Reunion Pea Casserole
You don't have to be going to a reunion to make and enjoy our Reunion Pea Casserole, a blend of black-eyed peas, chopped green chiles, squash, and zucchini, but it sure is fun if you do.
Mac and Cheese with Ham
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss
Mac and cheese is always a crowd pleaser. Even the pickiest eaters in the family love it, and you can sneak a bit of protein (and extra flavor) in with the addition of a bit of savory ham.
Tomato Pudding
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you've never tried tomato pudding, you're in for a treat. This big-batch side incorporates juicy tomatoes, sourdough bread, tomato sauce, fresh thyme, and brown sugar, i.e., all the good stuff.
Fennel-and-Potato Gratin
Jennifer Davick
Gratin is an easy and filling weeknight side, and this one pairs the typical potato with the addition of punchy and unexpected fennel. It's a match made in dinnertime heaven.
Cornbread Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Combine the crunch of cornbread with the silky sweetness of creamed corn in this baked cornbread casserole. You're destined to put it in the dinnertime rotation.
Macaroni Corn Casserole
If you can't decide between serving corn casserole and baked macaroni and cheese, this recipe gives you the flavor of both in one dish. We took the melty, gooey goodness that one can only achieve with a duo of white Cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, then upped the ante with crumbled bacon and pretty little corn kernels. Dry mustard, garlic, scallions, and cayenne pepper bring a hefty dose of flavor, but it's the panko topping that will truly have you melting from the very first bite.
Sweetie's Sweet Potato Casserole
Chef and restaurateur Kelsey Barnard Clark shares her great-grandmother's sweet potato casserole recipe, which she says actually tastes like sweet potatoes as they aren't over-powered by sugary ingredients. This dish is a great tradition to start for your holiday menu, as it appeals to many diet approaches. Fearing too much sugar is no way to eat on a holiday.
Roasted Tomato Macaroni And Cheese
This grown-up twist on traditional mac and cheese will be ready in just 30 minutes. Dressing this tried and true version up with fresh tomatoes makes it even more appealing, and creates a more restaurant-worthy version. Don't forget the fresh basil, it is there to do more than just fancy-up the presentation.
Tennessee Onions
When it comes to easy 13x9 side dishes, Tennessee onions really bring the flavor with very little effort, which is always a win in our book.
Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Cubes of French bread come alongside sweet potatoes in this hearty casserole. The potatoes are made even more comforting with flavors that meld into a savory custard. When there is bacon in the plan, it simply cannot be bad.
Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
From a laid-back barbecue to a formal dinner party, this versatile recipe has a place at any gathering. You will see just how popular this is, when all of your other sides get ignored. Be prepared to have an extra pan ready!
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Since sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, add a savory flavor with a Parmesan-herb streusel topping to achieve a sweet-savory combo that your dinner guests will find addicting. This isn't so much a side as it is a main dish, and those sidling up to your 13x9 for their second serving won't be offering any arguments.
Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole
Three of our favorite veggies come together in one casserole. The topping is the golden crumb of day-old white bread, used in the just way. The white breadcrumbs double as binder within this melty combo, and will help to make this dish disappear.
Best-Ever Macaroni And Cheese
No matter the occasion, you can't go wrong with this classic dish. Our best-ever version beats out the rest in a field that is simply laden with pasta and cheese. Don't be surprised if you find yourself serving it at church potlucks, Sunday suppers, and weeknight dinners all year long.
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Think of this recipe as a veggie-packed version of a loaded baked potato. The sinfully delicious ingredients will make you forget that this is fully vegetarian and more good for you than bad. This is an excellent way to get the kids in your life to embrace cauliflower.
Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole
Using two different potato varieties give this casserole our fluffiest texture ever. Browning the butter is a simple technique that imparts a nutty flavor, and shouldn't be skipped. You can substitute white cheddar cheese for the parmesan, if you wish. As quick and easy as this holiday side dish is to make the day of your dinner, it can be prepped a day ahead.
Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole
Serve up plenty of green veggies at your next holiday meal or family dinner with this casserole that's packed with both green beans and Brussels sprouts. The texture packs a punch along with the flavor, and you can feel good about the nutritional value of this dish. We like to see this as further proof that bacon makes everything better.
Aunt Grace's Famous Cornbread Dressing
We recommend that you start making this dressing two days before you'll be serving it. Why? It's one of the reasons why this turns out "silky-smooth and ultra-moist." That's right, the reviews are in, and you cannot fail with this dressing recipe.
Two Potato Gratin
What's better than one type of potato? Two different types together in one cheesy dish. This casserole brings together Yukon gold and sweet potatoes, making it twice as flavorful and appetizing for a hungry crowd.
Homemade Green Bean Casserole With Crispy Leeks
We replaced the usual fried onions with thin, crispy leeks for an elegant look in this holiday-worthy casserole recipe.
Homemade Baked Beans
Southern baked beans typically feature a hint of sweetness from molasses, brown sugar, or sorghum. To balance that, this recipe uses several slices of bacon for a hint of smoky meatiness. Don't worry about starting the beans dry. This recipe makes delicious use of canned beans.
Hashbrown Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
From brunch to dinner, we think this cheesy dish can be enjoyed at any time of day. We highly encourage the "breakfast for dinner" approach when you consider the uses for this delightful pan of cheesy potato goodness. Will it be enough, considering this flavor combo has a special place at the table? Just try making one pan, and see how far you get.
Hot Potato Salad
A warm take on the classic cookout side, our hot potato salad steals the show from those homemade mashed potatoes your aunt brings every year. Who needs gravy when you can have a plate full of potato salad with bacon, cheese, and salty, briny olives? This is the winner of that special occasion dinner, auntie's mashed potatoes of not.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
This casserole comes together a little faster with the help of steam-in-bag broccoli florets. We love an easy shortcut and the steam-in-bag does not compromise the texture of the broccoli. You can use this stroke of genius for other recipes, too,
Savory Corn Pudding
There's no shortage of corn in this savory casserole, six cups to be exact. Although corn pudding is technically a casserole, it has a rich, soft texture that's almost dessert-like. This corn pudding recipe puts a savory spin on the classic with the addition of chopped onion and fresh thyme.
Oyster Casserole
Our Test Kitchen looked back at multiple oyster casserole recipes, and, after some tinkering, came up with what we think is the best version ever: plump oysters baked in a rich Parmesan cream sauce and topped with buttery breadcrumbs. You will not be sorry you tried this version, which will turn every oyster stuffing effort before this on its head.
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These potatoes are great to prepare ahead on the weekends so on busy weeknights all you have to do is pop them in the oven. Just take them out of the refrigerator and let them stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. If you have it on have it on hand, you can garnish with fresh parsley or paprika.
Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, And Greens Casserole
Make use of an entire head of cauliflower in this veggie-packed recipe. This is an excellent option for those at the table who abstain from meat, and your selection in recipe will get you high praise. Keep this in the rotation for the vegetarian set, and you'll always have a winner.
Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
This cheesy scalloped potato casserole recipe doesn't require much hands-on time and also has a short ingredient list so it comes together quickly. Stirring the potatoes every 10 minutes while they are cooking will help them cook evenly and help the dish stay creamy. And since it's made in a 13x9 dish, there will be plenty of this crowd-pleasing side dish for everyone.
Potatoes Patio
A mixture of Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses make this elevated version of a potato casserole all the more delightful. Potatoes are ready to serve when the top is golden brown. You will see some high praise when this dish is set down amongst other comfort food variations.
Butternut Squash Bread Pudding
Bread puddings are a dime a dozen, so serve one that's a little more special. Butternut squash can help you up the showstopping factor in this recipe, which is hearty, cheesy, and great for a dinner party.
Wild Rice and Greens Casserole
Wild rice and greens is a partnership that goes way back, and this casserole makes the most of their dinnertime history. The recipe calls for chopped kale, but you can use your favorite greens.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
An ingredient as reliable as sweet potatoes needs to get dressed up every once in a while, and this 9x13 recipe really gives them their due. Adorned with rosemary, ginger, and a bit of bourbon, this is one dish to savor.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Skip the stress of making individual twice-baked potatoes, and make a big-batch, much-easier alternative, Twice-Baked Potato Casserole, which is super savory and, importantly, seconds-worthy.
Chipotle Scalloped Potatoes
You can't go wrong with this dish, which ups the ante on scalloped potatoes by adding a touch of spice in the form of canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce (plus some garlic, nutmeg, and black pepper for good measure).
Pumpkin and Winter Squash Gratin
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Pumpkin and winter squashes get more than their due in this gratin recipe, which gets baked with a cheesy sauce and topped with an herbaceous breadcrumb mixture.
Corn Pudding Casserole
Another excellent corn pudding, this casserole recipe bakes up a creamy, almost-caramelized corn casserole that will have the whole table talking (and going back for seconds).
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