Christmas calls for a special meal, but for whoever is doing the cooking, it usually means you’re stuck in the kitchen and missing out on all the holiday fun. That’s where these casseroles come in — they’re easy to whip up and can be prepared in advance, which lets the home cook take a much-needed break. Whether you’re preparing breakfast, lunch or dinner, these ideas are sure to come in handy.

Ready to start planning? Green bean casserole is an essential holiday dish; and the traditional version can be controversial. Some people love it and some people hate it, so Kardea's swapped out the mushroom soup and store-bought onions for a more-homemade option. This anything-but-ordinary version packs flavor with a sherry-laced cream sauce and from-scratch fried red onion rings.

We can’t think of a more delicious way to start off a wintery morning (or any kind of morning to be honest) than with a plate of this warm croissant French toast casserole. Day-old, store-bought croissants work perfectly for this, as their slight staleness helps them soak up all the creamy, almondy custard poured over top. Dollops of blueberry jam and a sprinkling of sliced almonds and fresh blueberries take it to another level, making it a decadent choice for breakfast, brunch or even dessert.

This casserole is an ode to the perfect dinner duo of Caesar salad and French fries. Tender Tuscan kale is baked in a garlicky cream sauce, then topped with golden sweet potato tots and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan for a playful, crowd-pleasing finish. Just before serving, the whole casserole is drizzled with a homemade vegetarian Caesar dressing (no anchovies) to drive the Caesar flavor profile home. This dish is savory with just the right amount of indulgence.

If you’ve got extra pannettone laying around during the holiday season, don’t let it go to waste. This fun recipe is a great way to use up the ubiquitous holiday cake that everyone loves to give but no one seems to eat. Panettone's raisins, citron and pine nuts make this rich, custardy breakfast just right for special occasions.

Forget standard roasted potatoes, this potato gratin makes us feel just a little bit more fancy. Loaded with heavy cream, thyme and Parmesan cheese, it’s perfectly creamy, cheesy, and flavorful. The tender inside is complemented by the crispy top, so each bite is more delicious than the last.

If you dream of waking up to a fancy breakfast on Christmas morning but struggle to get enough time in the kitchen, you’re not alone. That’s where this eggs benedict casserole comes in—it delivers a dreamy, decadent breakfast for eight people with minimal effort. Perfect for a holiday breakfast, English muffins get soaked in a custard and baked along with Canadian bacon, then topped with poached eggs and lemony hollandaise before serving.

If you’re looking for an easy entrée that’s holiday inspired to serve on Christmas eve, consider this turkey and stuffing casserole. It’s super easy and takes just over an hour to prepare, which is a pretty good deal when it comes to holiday meals.

The last thing you want to worry about when waking up on Christmas morning is making breakfast. That’s why we love this breakfast casserole recipe—the pancakes can be made and frozen ahead of time (or purchased already frozen) then assembled in the morning. Top with fresh berries and powdered sugar for a show stopping dessert that comes together with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for a holiday side dish that will please everyone, you can’t go wrong with macaroni and cheese. It’s a go-to crowd-pleaser for parties or potlucks, and this recipe takes inspiration from Southern flavors. Steering away from the standard stovetop mac, this version includes three kinds of cheese and bakes up like a casserole with a crispy, golden top.

Whether you like them or not, Brussels sprouts are synonymous with holiday meals. This recipe is packed with flavorful additions—like parmesan cheese, leaks and Dijon mustard—that will make even the pickiest eaters want to take a bite. Store-bought crispy onions are the key to adding irresistible crunch.

Stuffed mushrooms are an irresistible appetizer, and we love that the fun finger food gets transformed in this hearty casserole. Perfect for a holiday potluck, this recipe saves you the hassle of having to stuff each mushroom individually. Instead, this casserole delivers all the flavors of the classic dish in half the prep time.

If you’re looking for a hearty casserole you can prep the night before a major holiday, this recipe is a great option. It’s packed with flavor and hearty ingredients, and it’s easy to prepare it advance. That means you can free up your time to do other things—like get out of the kitchen and enjoy the holiday with your family and friends.

Beef Wellington is one of the most show stopping entrees you can make, which makes it a slam dunk on any holiday table. This casserole takes the impressive dinner and makes it a little more approachable. The usual ingredients get piled into a casserole dish then topped with crispy, buttery puff pastry.

This sweet potato casserole is sprinkled with a nutty crumb topping to create a pleasantly crunchy contrast to the creamy and soft mashed sweet potatoes down below. The filling gets an extra special pumpkin pie treatment with the addition of brown sugar and vanilla for a deep caramel flavor. The best part? Leftovers can be heated up and topped with a scoop of ice cream just like pie.

This autumn-inspired casserole is both custardy and crunchy and perfect for brunch (or even dessert!) Pumpkin puree is the key ingredient here; it comes pre-sweetened and spiced, lending an extra touch of warmth to every bite. Since the unbaked casserole needs to rest overnight, it’s the perfect thing to make in advance if you’re expecting company on Christmas morning.

Creamy, cheesy, and just a little crispy, this corn casserole recipe is everything we’re looking for in a side dish. Cream cheese and cheddar cheese add tangy flavor, while creamed corn and a touch of sugar add just the right amount of sweetness. It’s sweet and savory at the same time with just the right amount of crunch.

Shepherd’s pie is like the ultimate one-pot-wonder. Ground beef gets sautéed with onions, carrots, garlic and mushrooms, then tossed with tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. The hearty beef then gets piled high with savory mashed potatoes. Ready in just an hour and a half, it’s a fantastic dish to make for a low-key family holiday.

This layered breakfast casserole takes the term "short stack" to a whole new level. In this easy breakfast casserole recipe, layers of fluffy pancakes are baked in a cinnamon-spiked custard that’s packed with flavor. While the center is tender and moist, pecans add a complementary crunch. If you're short on time, use store-bought pancakes.

Sweet potato casserole is a classic holiday dish, and we love that this version includes a crunchy topping. Chopped pecans get mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon before being layered over creamy, melt-in-your-mouth sweet potatoes. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a holiday potluck, and the leftovers taste just as good as they did the night before.