12 of grandma’s favorite bake-and-take recipes

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When it comes to bake-and-take recipes, Grandma’s got it down. These are the tried-and-true dishes that show up at every family gathering and somehow always disappear first. Whether you need something quick for a crowd or just want a taste of nostalgia, these are the classics that have earned their place at the table. If they’re good enough for Grandma, they’re perfect for us.

Hash brown breakfast casserole in a white dish with a wooden spoon.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

A casserole dish filled with pasta and peas.
Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A weeknight staple that’s both convenient and comforting, this tuna noodle casserole could easily be a page out of Grandma’s recipe book. Made in less than an hour, it reheats well, making it perfect for today’s busy lives while still holding onto that nostalgic, homey feel.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Simple, hearty, and loaded with bacon, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese — this is comfort food at its finest. It’s the kind of casserole that’s easy to imagine as a family favorite, passed down and made with love. Perfect for prepping ahead, just as Grandma would, to make mealtime easier and more enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Broccoli Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese in it.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a reliable, comforting choice for family dinners, ready in just 50 minutes. It’s easy enough for beginner cooks, yet satisfying enough to remind you of the simple, hearty dishes Grandma would have made — no fuss, just good food.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

A baking sheet with garnished parmesan crusted potatoes on it.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These potatoes, with their crispy Parmesan crust, are the kind of side dish that might have been passed down through generations. Made in under an hour with ingredients you likely already have, they’re a great choice for a weeknight dinner or a holiday menu — just the thing Grandma would bring to share.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Baked Ravioli

A close-up of a cheesy baked ravioli garnished with herbs, with a fork lifting a portion to show the melted cheese.
Baked Ravioli. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish offers all the cozy comfort of lasagna, but with the ease of frozen cheese ravioli. It’s the kind of quick and delicious bake that Grandma might have whipped up on a busy evening, bringing everyone together with its layers of marinara sauce and melted cheese in just an hour.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Sausage breakfast casserole on a plate with a fork.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

Packed with protein and flavor, this casserole is the kind of hearty breakfast that sticks with you — just like Grandma’s cooking. With ground Italian sausage, eggs, and shredded cheese, it’s ready in 50 minutes and perfect for meal prepping, ensuring everyone starts the day with something filling and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Close-up of a dish featuring crispy tater tots topped with cheese and garnished with chopped green onions and herbs.
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole brings the kind of comfort you’d expect from a dish passed down through generations. Ready in under an hour, it’s budget-friendly, easy to prep, and perfect for any day of the week. It’s a meal that kids and adults will both enjoy, just like something Grandma would have made for a family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Hash brown breakfast casserole with a wooden spoon in it.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is just the kind of dish Grandma would have made for slow mornings or weekend brunches. With hash browns, bacon, eggs, cheese, and cottage cheese, it’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. Plus, it’s easy to tweak with whatever you’ve got on hand, just like Grandma always did.
Get the Recipe: Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms on a serving tray.
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These stuffed mushrooms are a timeless appetizer, made with straightforward ingredients and a lot of love. They’re easy to prepare ahead of time, just the way Grandma might have done to keep hosting stress-free and the focus on making memories around the table.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This cozy, 30-minute bake brings the warmth of family dinners to your table. With tender chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella, it’s a simple yet satisfying casserole that would make any Grandma proud — perfect for those nights when you want a meal that feels like home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Reminiscent of a dish you might find on Grandma’s table, this casserole features frozen broccoli and cauliflower, steamed and combined with a creamy cheese sauce and bacon. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and bakes to a golden, bubbling finish — perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a fun addition to any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This casserole takes the beloved Philly Cheese Steak and gives it a homey twist that could easily have been one of Grandma’s favorites. Sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese come together in less than an hour for a dinner that’s comforting and easy to make — a modern take on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

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