Best 5 Favorite Italian Casserole Recipes

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When it comes to comfort food, few dishes satisfy quite like a hearty Italian casserole. These delicious dishes combine the rich flavors of Italian cuisine with the convenience of a one-dish meal, providing a perfect solution for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. With countless variations to choose from, there's an Italian casserole recipe to suit every taste and occasion.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ITALIAN-INSPIRED CASSEROLE



Italian-Inspired Casserole image

I come from a huge family, and it seems there is always a potluck occasion. No matter what time of year, this hearty, crowd-pleasing Italian casserole is always a hit. It's easy to make and serve. -Rita Goshaw, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 16-20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1-1/2 pounds bulk Italian sausage
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cans (8-3/4 ounces each) whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 package (16 ounces) wide noodles, cooked and drained
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into strips

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook sausage, beef, onion and green pepper until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add corn and olives. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in noodles. , Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Top with cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 13g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 542mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

FAVORITE ITALIAN CASSEROLE



Favorite Italian Casserole image

We usually have toasted garlic bread and a tossed salad with this hearty pizza-flavored dish. -Lee Sauers, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 3 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 Italian sausage link, casing removed
1 small onion, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
Dash pepper
1 bacon strip, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup spaghetti sauce, divided
2 tablespoons chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
12 slices pepperoni
Dash each dried oregano, thyme and basil

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, crumble sausage into a small skillet; add onion. Cook over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain., Drain spaghetti. Arrange zucchini in a shallow 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with pepper. Layer with bacon, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, remaining sauce, red pepper, sausage mixture, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. , Sprinkle with herbs. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 356 calories, Fat 14g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 48mg cholesterol, Sodium 1018mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

MANICOTTI ITALIAN CASSEROLE



Manicotti Italian Casserole image

Some members of my family call it manicotti, some call it Italian casserole. So I call it Manicotti Italian Casserole. This is one of my all time favorite meals to make, and it's super easy! For gatherings I make the whole recipe, for my family I cut it in half.

Provided by ERINLOVE65

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
1 (8 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
2 (32 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 ½ pounds shredded mozzarella cheese
thinly sliced pepperoni

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Pour in rigatoni, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set pasta aside.
  • Meanwhile, brown ground beef and italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. With a slotted spoon, remove beef and sausage to a baking dish. Stir mushrooms, spaghetti sauce, and cooked pasta into the baking dish. Sprinkle cheese and pepperoni over the top.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is brown and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 909 calories, Carbohydrate 77.6 g, Cholesterol 126.8 mg, Fat 43 g, Fiber 8.5 g, Protein 52.1 g, SaturatedFat 18.4 g, Sodium 2247.8 mg, Sugar 23.5 g

ITALIAN ONE STEP CASSEROLE



Italian One Step Casserole image

This is a great meal that's so economical and easy. Just cut the ingredients into a pan and bake! Serve with Italian bread. Buono Appetito!

Provided by Michele O'Sullivan

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h40m

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound sausages
4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 (15 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes with juice
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch dried oregano

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Remove casings from sausages and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place these into a 10x15-inch roasting pan. Layer the potatoes, carrots and onions over the sausages. Then pour the tomatoes over all. Season with salt, ground black pepper and oregano.
  • Cover and bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 60 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 to 20 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.8 calories, Carbohydrate 38.1 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 23.7 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 14.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 1483.1 mg, Sugar 8.4 g

ITALIAN PASTA BAKE



Italian Pasta Bake image

I love to make this pasta bake whenever I need to bring a dish to pass. Fresh tomatoes add a nice touch that's missing from most other meat, pasta and tomato casseroles.-Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Add to beef mixture and gently stir in sliced plum tomatoes. , Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 20g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 702mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

Tips for Making the Best Italian Casserole

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the casserole will be. Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meat, and flavorful cheeses.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese. Cheese is what makes Italian casserole so delicious. Use a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, and Asiago.
  • Season the casserole well. Use a combination of herbs and spices to flavor the casserole. Italian seasoning, garlic, basil, oregano, and thyme are all good choices.
  • Cook the casserole until it is bubbly and golden brown. This will ensure that the casserole is cooked through and that the cheese is melted and gooey.
  • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the casserole to set and make it easier to slice.

Conclusion

Italian casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its combination of pasta, vegetables, meat, and cheese, it is sure to please everyone at the table. Follow these tips to make the best Italian casserole you've ever tasted. You can also get creative and add your own favorite ingredients to make it your own. Enjoy!

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