Casserole
A baked main dish of meat or vegetables bound with starch in a deep pan
Casserole refers both to a deep ovenproof pan and to the hearty baked dish made in it. The food usually brings together meat or fish, chopped vegetables, and a starchy ingredient like pasta, rice, or potato, often with a sauce or topping. Casseroles are common in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, and are served hot as a main course.
- Baked in a deep ovenproof pan
- Combines meat or fish, vegetables, and a starchy binder
- Popular in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand
- Often topped with cheese or breadcrumbs
- Served hot as a main course
What is Casserole?
A casserole is a baked dish assembled in a deep, oven-safe pan. It usually combines pieces of meat or fish, chopped or canned vegetables, and a starchy element such as pasta, rice, potato, or flour. Some versions add a layer of cheese or a crunchy topping. The ingredients cook together in the oven, sometimes with added liquid like stock or wine, creating a meal where flavors blend and the texture is soft and hearty. The dish is often brought to the table in the same pan in which it was baked.
Where does Casserole come from?
The word 'casserole' comes from French, meaning a small saucepan. Early forms involved rice pressed with savory fillings. The idea of baking a complete meal in one dish spread widely, but it was in the United States during the 1900s that the casserole became a familiar household meal, especially after new types of ovenproof cookware became available. In other countries, similar baked dishes exist under different names, but the term 'casserole' is most closely linked to the American and Commonwealth style.
How is Casserole made?
To make a casserole, cooks layer or mix together chunks of meat or fish, vegetables, and a starch such as pasta, rice, or potato in a deep baking pan. Liquids like stock, wine, or water may be poured in to help everything cook evenly. Sometimes a topping of grated cheese or breadcrumbs is added before baking. The dish is baked slowly, usually uncovered, until the contents are tender and the top is golden or crisp.
How and when is Casserole eaten?
Casseroles are eaten hot, typically as a main course for lunch or dinner. They are often served straight from the baking dish, making them practical for family meals or gatherings. In the United States, casseroles are a common everyday food, while in Australia and New Zealand, they are also popular. The dish is filling and can be made ahead, making it a favorite for busy households.
Kinds of Casserole
There are many types of casseroles, with ingredients varying by region and taste. Some use beef, chicken, fish, or beans as the main protein, while others focus on vegetables. In the United States, versions with pasta, rice, or potatoes are common, often topped with cheese. In Australia and New Zealand, casseroles tend to feature meat and root vegetables in a gravy-like sauce, while dishes with more starch or creamy sauces might be called 'bakes' or 'gratins' instead.
What Casserole means
Casseroles have become a symbol of home cooking and convenience, especially in the United States. The dish gained popularity with the rise of new cookware and busy lifestyles. In English-speaking countries, casseroles are a practical way to feed a group and are often brought to potlucks or shared at gatherings. The name also refers to the pan itself, highlighting the connection between the vessel and the meal.
Questions people ask about Casserole
What is a casserole made of?
A casserole usually contains meat or fish, chopped vegetables, and a starchy ingredient like pasta, rice, or potato. It may also have a sauce or a topping such as cheese or breadcrumbs.
Where does casserole come from?
The word comes from French, meaning a small saucepan. The dish became especially common in the United States in the 1900s, but similar baked meals are found in many countries.
How is a casserole cooked?
The ingredients are placed in a deep ovenproof pan, sometimes with added liquid, and baked slowly in the oven. It is often served in the same pan.
Is casserole always made with meat?
No, casseroles can be made with meat, fish, or vegetarian ingredients such as beans or tofu. The dish is flexible and can suit many diets.
What meals is casserole served for?
Casserole is typically served hot as a main course for lunch or dinner.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Casserole", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from the United States
All the food of the United States
Pizza
🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
HamburgerMeat
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreA hot ground meat patty in a sliced bun, often with salad and sauces
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
SpaghettiVegan
🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreLong, thin pasta strands made from durum wheat and water
Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner
Hot dogMeat
🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreA sausage in a sliced bun, topped with condiments and eaten hot
Street food, Lunch, Dinner
Its cousins elsewhere
All main dishes
Pie
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreA baked dish with a pastry crust and sweet or savoury filling
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Empanada
🇪🇸 Spain and 5 morePastry turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, baked or fried
Pie or savoury pastry, Lunch, Dinner
Quiche
🇫🇷 FranceFrench tart with a savoury custard filling in a pastry case
Pie or savoury pastry
Dumpling
🇨🇳 China and 5 morePieces of dough, plain or filled, cooked by boiling, steaming or frying
Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch