Foodess

Cowboy Casserole Recipe (with Crispy Tater Tots)

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 20:05:29 +0000

This Cowboy Casserole is a creamy ground beef and corn filling under sharp cheddar and crispy tater tots. It is the easy dinner I make when everyone wants comfort food. One skillet builds the filling and the oven does the rest.

Read on for 5 common mistakes to avoid, including the tater tot error that leaves the top soft.

Cowboy Casserole Ingredients

Here is everything that goes into this ground beef and tater tot casserole.

Neutral oil: for searing the beef in a very hot skillet.
Ground beef: lean, browned hard for deep flavor.
Kosher salt: divided between the beef and the creamy filling.
Yellow onion: finely chopped so it melts into the filling.
Garlic: minced.
All-purpose flour: cooked for 1 minute to thicken the filling.
Beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
Black pepper
Smoked paprika
Frozen corn: no need to thaw.
Sour cream: stirred in off the heat.
Dijon mustard
Sharp cheddar cheese: shredded.
Frozen tater tots: one 28-ounce bag, kept frozen until they go on top.
Fresh parsley: optional, for serving.

Full recipe quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the article.

If you like ground beef under a cheesy crust, try my Cheeseburger Casserole. For more cozy dinner ideas, my Ground Beef Casserole Recipes collection has plenty.

Variations and Substitutions

These swaps keep this easy cowboy casserole flexible for what you have on hand.

Cheese: use Colby Jack or pepper Jack in place of sharp cheddar for a milder or spicier layer.
Protein: try ground turkey, or make my Chicken Tater Tot Casserole for a poultry version.
Heat: add a splash of hot sauce to the filling or serve with sliced jalapeños.
Beans or bacon: stir a drained can of pinto beans or some crumbled cooked bacon into the filling with the corn for a more western-style version.
BBQ: stir 1 to 2 tbsp of BBQ sauce into the filling with the Worcestershire for a smoky-sweet twist.
Skillet: if yours is not oven-safe, move the filling to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mexican-style: serve scoops with salsa and extra sour cream, or see my Walking Taco Casserole for another Tex-Mex take.

Grab These Tools

You only need a few basics for this cowboy dinner.

Large ovenproof skillet: browns the beef and goes straight into the oven.
9×13-inch baking dish: only needed if your skillet cannot go in the oven.
Wooden spoon: scrapes up the browned bits.
Box grater: for shredding the cheddar.

How to Make Cowboy Casserole: An Easy Guide

The whole recipe moves from skillet to oven, so the steps are short and simple.

Brown the Beef and Onion

Heat the oven to 400°F. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, then add the oil.

Add the beef with 1/2 tsp salt once the oil shimmers. Cook 8 to 10 minutes until deeply browned in spots, then add the onion and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds.

Build the Creamy Filling

Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the beef broth gradually while stirring.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1 tsp salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture coats a spoon, then stir in the corn.

Stir in the Sour Cream

Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the sour cream and Dijon until completely smooth, then taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

Layer the Cheese and Tater Tots

Spread the filling into an even layer, using a greased 9×13-inch dish if your skillet is not oven-safe. Sprinkle the cheddar over the top.

Arrange the frozen tater tots tightly over the entire surface. Keep them frozen so they turn crisp instead of soft.

Bake Until Golden and Crisp

Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes until the filling bubbles at the edges and the tots are deeply golden. For extra browning, broil 1 to 2 minutes and watch closely.

Rest the casserole 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Scatter with parsley if you like.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the most frequent mix-ups to avoid when making cowboy casserole:

Thawing the tater tots. Thawed tots turn soft instead of crisp, so keep them frozen until they hit the filling.
Rushing the beef. The browned bits give the casserole most of its flavor, so give the beef the full 8 to 10 minutes.
Skipping the flour step. The flour needs 1 minute of stirring to lose its raw taste before the broth goes in.
Adding sour cream over the heat. Take the skillet off the burner first so the filling stays smooth.
Walking away from the broiler. Tater tots go from golden to burnt quickly, so watch them closely.

Make Ahead and Storage

This casserole is best fresh from the oven, but leftovers hold up well.

Making It Ahead

Filling: cook the filling up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it in the skillet or baking dish.
Bake day: add the cheddar and frozen tots right before baking, and expect a few extra minutes in the oven.

Storing Leftovers

Cool first: let the casserole cool, then cover the dish or move scoops to an airtight container.
Fridge: keep leftovers refrigerated and eat within 4 days.

Freezing

Skip the freezer: I do not freeze the baked casserole because the tots lose their crunch.
Sour cream: the creamy filling can turn grainy after freezing, so this is one to eat within a few days.

Reheating Leftovers

Oven: reheat uncovered at 350°F until hot in the center so the tots crisp again.
Air fryer: warm a single portion at 350°F until the tots are crunchy.

What to Serve with Cowboy Casserole

This is a full dinner, so I keep the sides light and crunchy. A cool Coleslaw cuts through the richness.

Toppings and Add-Ins

Fresh parsley: adds color and a fresh bite.
Sour cream: a dollop on each scoop.
Hot sauce: for anyone who wants more kick.
Sliced jalapeños or green onions: for crunch and heat.

Side Dishes and Pairings

Air Fryer Broccoli adds a crisp green side.
Easy Coleslaw keeps the plate cool and crunchy.
Southern Baked Beans round out a cowboy-style dinner.
Honey Butter Cornbread is perfect for scooping up the filling.
Kale Caesar Salad brings a bright, tangy contrast.

Tips for the Best Cowboy Tater Tot Casserole

A few small habits make this tater tot casserole turn out right every time.

Preheat the skillet: a hot pan sears the beef instead of steaming it, which builds the flavor.
Brown without stirring too much: the browned bits dissolve into the broth and season the whole filling.
Cook the flour: 1 minute in the fat removes the raw taste and thickens the broth.
Taste at the end: adjust the salt and pepper after the sour cream goes in.
Pack the tots tightly: they shield the filling and brown evenly.
Rest before serving: 5 to 10 minutes lets the filling set so scoops hold together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.

What is cowboy casserole?

Cowboy casserole is a hearty ground beef casserole with a creamy filling, corn, and cheese, topped with crispy tater tots. Some versions add beans, bacon, or BBQ sauce, and others swap the tots for a cornbread topping. Mine keeps the classic tater tot top, baked at 400°F until deeply golden.

What is cowboy casserole made of?

Cowboy casserole is made of lean ground beef, onion, garlic, flour, beef broth, sour cream, corn, sharp cheddar, and frozen tater tots. Worcestershire, Dijon, and smoked paprika season the filling.

Can I add beans to cowboy casserole?

Beans are a common addition to cowboy casserole. Stir a drained can of pinto or kidney beans into the filling with the corn, then top with the cheddar and tater tots as written.

Can I make cowboy casserole ahead of time?

You can cook the filling a day ahead and refrigerate it. Add the cheese and frozen tots right before baking, and expect the bake to run a little longer with a cold filling.

Can you freeze cowboy casserole?

I do not recommend freezing cowboy casserole. The tater tots lose their crunch and the sour cream filling can turn grainy, so plan to eat leftovers within 4 days.

Do I need to thaw the tater tots?

Thawing the tater tots is not needed, and it hurts the result. Keep them frozen and arrange them tightly over the filling so they turn deeply golden and crisp.

What if my skillet is not oven-safe?

If your skillet is not oven-safe, make the filling as written, then transfer it to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the cheddar and tater tots, then bake as directed.

How long do you bake cowboy casserole?

Bake cowboy casserole uncovered at 400°F for 40 to 45 minutes. It is done when the filling bubbles around the edges and the tater tots are deeply golden and crisp.

How do I keep the tater tot topping crispy?

Keeping the potato topping crispy starts with frozen tots, a hot oven, and no cover. A 1 to 2 minute broil at the end adds extra browning, but watch it closely.

Can I make this ground beef and tater tot casserole in a slow cooker?

I have not tested a slow cooker version, and the tots would turn soft without dry oven heat. For crispy tots, I recommend the oven method in this recipe.

Other Ground Beef Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

Cowboy Casserole Recipe (with Crispy Tater Tots)

A creamy ground beef and corn filling topped with sharp cheddar and crispy frozen tater tots, built in one skillet and finished in the oven.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword cowboy casserole, cowboy casserole ingredients, cowboy casserole recipe, cowboy casserole with tater tots, cowboy tater tot casserole, easy cowboy casserole, ground beef and tater tot casserole, tater tot casserole with ground beef and corn

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 10

Rest 10

Total Time 1 35

Servings servings

Calories 541kcal

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

1 tbsp neutral oil
1 ½ lb lean ground beef
1 ½ tsp kosher salt divided
1 large yellow onion finely chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 ½ cups frozen corn
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 bag frozen tater tots 28 oz (800 g)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Heat the oven to 400°F.
Brown the beef: Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Add the oil. Once it is shimmering hot (almost smoking), add the ground beef and season with 1/2 tsp of the salt. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, until deeply browned in spots. Do not rush this step, because the browned bits give the casserole much more flavor. Add the onion and cook 4 to 5 minutes, until softened and lightly golden. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Build the creamy filling: Stir in the flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, so the flour loses its raw taste. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring. Add the Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1 tsp kosher salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is thick enough to coat a spoon. Stir in the corn.
Finish the filling: Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the sour cream and Dijon until completely smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper.
Assemble: If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the cheddar evenly over the top, then arrange the frozen tater tots tightly over the entire surface. Keep the tots frozen, because thawed tots tend to turn soft instead of crisp.
Bake: Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling around the edges and the tots are deeply golden and crisp. For extra browning, switch to broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely because the tots can go from golden to burnt quickly.
Rest: Let the casserole rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Scatter with parsley, if using.

Notes

Common mistakes: scroll up for the 5 common mistakes to avoid above, including the tater tot error that leaves the top soft.

Why it works: deeply browned beef leaves browned bits in the pan, and those bits flavor the whole creamy filling.

Crisp tots: keep the tater tots frozen and arrange them tightly so they turn crisp instead of soft.

Doneness: the casserole is ready when the filling bubbles at the edges and the tots are deeply golden after 40 to 45 minutes.

Extra browning: broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end and watch closely, since tots go from golden to burnt quickly.

No oven-safe skillet: move the finished filling to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish before adding the cheese and tots.

Rest: let it sit 5 to 10 minutes so the filling sets and scoops hold together.

Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days and reheat uncovered at 350°F so the tots crisp again.

Nutrition

The Best Unique Pasta Recipes On the Internet

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:15:32 +0000

Ever feel like you need to change up your pasta recipe rotation? Here are my favorite unique pasta recipes to take you beyond good ‘ol spaghetti meat sauce!

Don’t miss my how-to guide to making your own homemade pasta dough. If you’ve got the time and the will, it’s totally worth it. Another great how-to when it comes to mastering pasta is this guide to cooking fresh ravioli.

Pink Beet Pasta Sauce

I mean – how pretty is this pink beet pasta sauce? I adore this as a fun Valentine’s Day recipe, and it was a total hit this past February. You can absolutely make it year-round though.

I can’t helping making this if I have a bunch of juicy beets in the kitchen – its my new favorite comfort food dish.

Butternut Squash Alfredo

The cozy fall flavors of this vegetarian butternut squash recipe are too good to miss. Healthy, adaptable, and loaded with Parmesan cheese, you’re going to want to try it. I love the bright orange from the butternut squash!

Creamy Greens Coconut Linguine

THIS is a unique pasta recipe if you’ve ever tried one, and you’re going to LOVE it. Make my creamy green coconut linguine – think jalapeño, coconut milk, kale, and spinach – totally tasty and coconutty.

Miso Carrot Mac and Cheese

Try my next-level miso carrot mac and cheese . It’s made with white miso paste and a blend of classic ingredients with the little hero – carrot puree. This is the stand-out ingredient.

This pasta is a lovely balance of sweet and savory!

Butternut Squash Macaroni Cheese

Another mac and cheese – my butternut squash Macaroni cheese is bright and beautiful. I love finding ways to add a little twist to regular Mac and cheese. Serve it with my kale caesar salad and all will be right with world.

Lazy Lasagna (Just 3 Ingredients!)

Cheesy and flavorful, this Lazy Lasagna recipe comes together in just 5 minutes using only 3 store-bought ingredients. It’s so easy, no one will ever know!

Pasta with Brown Butter and Sage

This Brown Butter and Sage Sauce is so quick and simple, kid-pleasing and delicious.

It’s an easy and yet super flavorful dish made with cooked pasta tossed with nutty brown butter and crispy sage.

This sauce is perfect for unique stuffed pastas where you don’t want to compete with the flavor – like chicken tortellini, or various stuffed ravioli options.

Easy Pumpkin Ravioli with Wonton Wrappers

This easy pumpkin ravioli uses store-bought wonton wrappers, so you get tender, silky ravioli without rolling any dough. A pumpkin and ricotta filling goes inside, and I toss them in a 5-minute brown butter sage sauce.

Butternut Squash Ravioli Sauce

Store-bought ravioli turns into something worth serving with my butternut squash ravioli sauce, where butter is cooked until the milk solids toast and the sage crisps right in the pan.

Working with pumpkin ravioli instead? I have a sauce for pumpkin ravioli tuned to that filling.

Cheeseburger Pasta

Guys, can I tell you how quickly I’ve become obsessed with this Cheeseburger Casserole?

As an alternative to classic old-fashioned mac and cheese, this cheesy macaroni is loaded with ground beef and cheeseburger flavor.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta

My crockpot buffalo chicken pasta turns buffalo wings into a pasta dinner. Chicken thighs, ranch and three cheeses melt into a spicy buffalo sauce in the slow cooker, then coat the penne like a buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

Chili Oil Noodles

Use ramen noodles or thin pasta noodles to make this lightning-fast chili oil ramen recipe.

I’m smitten with making this flavor-packed sizzling oil. Must try!

Related: Pasta vs. Noodles (What’s the Difference?)

Seafood Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce

This Seafood Pasta Recipe is perfect for special occasions OR weeknight dinners. Quick, DECEPTIVELY easy, and so delicious.

With the most scrumptious garlic cream sauce, seafood lovers, this pasta recipe is for you!

Stovetop “Lasagna”

Honestly, this Easy Stovetop One-Pot Lasagna Recipe is one of my FAVORITE quick weeknight meals, and my family agrees.

One pot, y’all. One. Pot. And all the flavor of lasagna.

Butternut Squash Lasagna with Béchamel

My butternut squash lasagna swaps red sauce for a silky, golden squash sauce and a creamy béchamel. It is cozy and cheesy with a gentle hint of heat.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Crispy Sage

My creamy pumpkin pasta with crispy sage is silky, cozy, and a little unexpected. The sage adds a savory, aromatic finish.

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

My homemade potato gnocchi is pillowy, tender, and easier than you think. Toss it in brown butter or your favorite sauce.

One-Pan Sausage Gnocchi with Chorizo

This one-pan sausage gnocchi skips the pot of boiling water. The gnocchi go in uncooked and simmer right in a creamy tomato sauce, with smoked chorizo and ground chicken that flavor the whole dish.

Peanut Noodle Pasta Salad

My peanut noodle pasta salad is creamy, nutty, and great cold. It is a unique make-ahead pasta for lunches or potlucks.

Fettuccine with Spicy Nduja Sauce and Burrata

Download this recipe from Dished By Kate ASAP.

The combination of nduja in this tomato sauce with the creamy, mild burrata is utterly addictive. Topped with torn basil leaves and on the table in 15 minutes. FIFTEEN minutes, guys! What’s not to love?

Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta

Here’s an easy peasy recipe from Amanda Cooks and Styles for a silky, rich, and DREAMY recipe for chipotle chicken pasta.

Corn, diced tomatoes, fresh parsley and cheese feature in this delicous and quick pasta.

Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Check out this 30 minute magical recipe from The Fit Peach. The bright slap of lemon cuts throught the ultra-rich ricotta cheese. The whole family will love this recipe. Serve it with a fresh and light salad.

Creamy Artichoke Pasta Bake (+Spinach)

Grab this recipe from Beyond the Noms – you’re going to love it.

This is basically a twist on your favorite artichoke and spinach dip. Featuring spinach, artichokes, red pepper flakes, garlic and loads of cheese. I love this as an alternative to regular lasagna when I need a veggie-baked pasta that is equally satisfying.

This is a great weeknight dinner – 35 minutes from start to finish.

Related: Healthy Chicken Recipes you’ll make on repeat!

One-pot Chicken Ranch Pasta

Serve up a bowl of this one-pot recipe from Belly Full. I’m in love with a one-pot chicken ranch pasta. It delivers on tender chicken, salty bacon. Make it for dinner tonight – thank me later.

Pasta with Crispy Capers + Lemon

This recipe from The Sassy Foodie has got the goods.

A 5-ingredient recipe and a 15-minute cook. I adore the crispy capers, the zesty garlic and little kick from the red pepper flakes. This lemon loaded recipe is SO easy – and yet, has the restaurant quality feel. It makes an easy lunch and gies with pretty much any salad.

You probably already have most of the ingredients at home. A crack of black pepper is all you’ll need!

Red Curry Pasta with Shrimp

Try this fun recipe for Cooking with Coit.

Plump shrimp are the hero in this recipe, but the fragrant red curry sauce is totally delicious too. I love the deep red color of this summery sauce.

Try it out tonight – I think you’ll find it’s one of the best pasta recipes you’ve made in a while.

Baked Brie Pasta

Baked brie, yes, please! Here is a tasty treat from Delish

Serve it at your next gathering – over pesto pasta! I love the creamy texture of the brie and the balance of the cranberry sauce. This recipe has a holiday feel, but you can make it year-round.

Anchovy Pasta

Try this grown-up recipe from Sweet Caramel Sunday. Featuring wonderfully salty anchovies, this recipe works as a pasta salad.

I love how fresh and simple the ingredients are and yet they pack a big punch. Great served straight from the pan or on a pretty platter.

Pasta Classics You’ve GOT to try

Don’t miss these tasty pasta favorite recipes from my site!

Lobster Ravioli Sauce
Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken
Alfredo Sauce with Penne Pasta
The Gnocchi Sauce Recipe Everyone Loves
The Best Meat Sauce for Spaghetti
Lobster Pasta with White Wine Cream Sauce

NEXT READING: Good Sides for Pasta (Your Guide to the Best Pasta Side Dishes!)

Unique Pasta Recipes (Delicious Ideas You Don’t Wanna Miss!)

I found the best unique pasta recipes on the internet to take you beyond good ‘ol spaghetti. These quick, easy recipes are 10/10 tasty!

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword Unique Pasta Recipes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

Pasta

Instructions

Pick your favorite unique pasta recipe from the collection above and enjoy!

18 Butternut Squash Recipes for Cozy Fall Dinners

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:15:32 +0000

I buy butternut squash every week from September through February. It keeps on the counter for a month without going soft. I love it cubed as a simple roasted side dish, and it is also a perfect substitute for canned pumpkin (in fact, most canned “pumpkin” is actually butternut squash).

These are the butternut squash recipes I cook on repeat. Soups, pasta, roasted sides, and a few savory pumpkin dinners that use the same tricks.

Scroll down for my prep notes too. Peeling a squash gets much easier once you know where to start.

Easy Butternut Squash Recipes with Pasta

Squash purees into a sauce with real body. It does the heavy lifting, so a splash of cream goes much further than it would in a standard alfredo.

Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce

My Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce simmers the squash right in the broth, then blends it velvety smooth. A splash of cream at the end is all it needs.

Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese blends squash puree straight into the cheese sauce. It makes the sauce glossy and a little sweeter.

Butternut Squash and Mascarpone Ravioli

Butternut Squash and Mascarpone Ravioli finishes in hazelnut brown butter. Save this one for a night you want to cook slowly. Short on time? My butternut squash ravioli sauce turns store-bought ravioli into dinner in minutes.

Creamy Baked Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese

Creamy Baked Rigatoni with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese bakes into a golden, bubbling casserole. The goat cheese cuts right through the sweetness.

Butternut Squash Lasagna with Béchamel

My butternut squash lasagna layers tender noodles with a silky, golden squash sauce and a creamy béchamel. It is cozy and cheesy with a gentle hint of heat, the kind of meatless dinner even meat lovers go back to for seconds.

Butternut Squash Soup Recipes for Cool Nights

Squash blends smoother than almost any other vegetable. That makes it the easiest base for a weeknight soup.

Autumn Squash Soup

Autumn Squash Soup pairs roasted butternut with tart apple. The fruit keeps the bowl from tasting flat or overly sweet.

Easy Coconut Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger

Easy Coconut Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger comes together in one pot. Coconut milk gives it a rich finish with no dairy at all.

Pumpkin Soup with Ginger and Rice

Pumpkin Soup with Ginger and Rice is thickened with rice instead of cream. Fresh ginger keeps every spoonful bright.

Spaghetti Squash Soup

Spaghetti Squash Soup swaps the noodles for roasted squash strands. It tastes like chicken noodle soup, only lighter.

Roasted Butternut Squash Recipes for Easy Sides

High heat is what turns squash from watery to caramelized. Every side dish here leans on a hot oven.

Crispy Baked Butternut Squash Fries

Crispy Baked Butternut Squash Fries come out of the oven with browned edges. Spread them out so they roast instead of steam.

Maple Five-Spice Roasted Butternut Squash

Maple Five-Spice Roasted Butternut Squash takes about five minutes to season. The five-spice keeps the maple from tasting like dessert.

Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart

My Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart works with any winter squash you have. It looks far harder to make than it is.

Spiced Maple-Roasted Squash and Halloumi Salad

Spiced Maple-Roasted Squash and Halloumi Salad works as a light main or a holiday side. Squeaky halloumi against sweet squash is the whole point.

Butternut Pumpkin Recipes for Fall Dinners

Pumpkin and butternut are close cousins. They swap in for each other easily, so these dinners work with either one.

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Pumpkin Gnocchi is softer and lighter than the potato kind. Keep a light hand with the flour.

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Crispy Sage

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Crispy Sage is a weeknight dinner. Fry the sage first, then build the sauce in the same butter.

Easy Pumpkin Ravioli with Wonton Wrappers

My pumpkin ravioli skip the pasta dough entirely. Store-bought wonton wrappers hold a pumpkin and ricotta filling, and I toss the ravioli in a 5-minute brown butter sage sauce.

Spicy Pumpkin Black Bean Enchiladas

Spicy Pumpkin Black Bean Enchiladas put the pumpkin in the sauce, not the filling. It is a meatless dinner that still feels substantial.

Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Pumpkin Sauce

Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Pumpkin Sauce cook while you are out. Brown the filling first, then the slow cooker takes over.

What to Do with Butternut Squash

Peel it with a sharp Y-peeler rather than a knife. Slice the top and bottom flat first so the squash sits steady on your board.

A whole squash keeps for a month or more in a cool, dry cupboard. Do not refrigerate it until you have cut into it.

Cubed squash freezes well raw. Spread the pieces on a sheet pan, freeze them solid, then move them to a bag.

The seeds are worth keeping. Rinse them, dry them well, and roast them the way you would pumpkin seeds.

Tips for the Best Butternut Squash Recipes

Roast hot, around 425F. Lower heat pulls water out slowly and you end up steaming the squash instead of browning it.

Give the pieces room on the pan. A crowded sheet traps steam and the edges never caramelize properly.

Cut your cubes the same size. Uneven pieces mean some are burnt while others are still firm in the middle.

Roast more than you need. Leftover squash reheats well and drops straight into a soup, a salad, or a pasta sauce.

More Fall Recipe Ideas You’ll Love

Once the squash is gone, these are the collections I turn to next.

My Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes cover every pumpkin bake I make from October onward.
My Unique Apple Recipes go well past pie, sweet and savory both.
My Cozy Winter Casserole Recipes are what I cook once the cold really sets in.

40+ Cozy Winter Casserole Recipes

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

Here are the best Winter casserole recipes to make on repeat. They are easy, cozy, warming, layered with flavor and totally satisfying.

Easy Winter Casserole Recipes To Try

Here are my top picks of easy, homey casseroles and bakes to give you all the toasty feels.

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Picture this: creamy chicken, brown rice and tender broccoli, all swimming in a silky sauce, topped with a crispy layer of cheese.

That’s what chicken broccoli casserole is all about—a cozy combination of flavors and textures that make every bite a warm hug.

View the Chicken and Broccoli Casserole recipe here.

Cheeseburger Casserole

This easy Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe is a 10/10 family hit. Quick and so simple to make, it’s a go-to for busy weeknights.

Hamburger, cheese, and pasta come together in one of my most comforting, delicious ground ground beef casserole recipes that everyone loves.

Lazy Lasagna

This Lazy Lasagna made with ravioli is one of my favorite hacks for quick weeknight meals and simple entertaining. It’s SO cheesy and tasty.

Nobody will guess this pasta bake took you just 5 minutes and 3 ingredients to whip up. I won’t tell if you don’t.

View the Lazy Lasagna recipe here.

Mexican Chicken Casserole

This easy Mexican Chicken Casserole is one of my most-made weeknight dinners. Rotisserie chicken, black beans, frozen corn, and salsa all come together under a thick, bubbling layer of cheese in just 30 minutes.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken Enchilada Casserole is the cheat’s way to enchiladas on a weeknight. It’s SO fast and easy without any rolling. Honestly, one of the top casseroles I make on repeat.

Hamburger Casserole

My easy Hamburger Casserole recipe is one of the easiest of easy ground beef recipes. There’s no pre-cooking anything. Just dump, bake, and BOOM: perfectly tender pasta, juicy, nicely browned ground beef, and comforting dinner ready with almost no effort.

Chicken Potato Casserole

Make my creamy Chicken Potato Casserole recipe for the cheesy, cozy potato fix you’re craving. It’s a quick, easy, family dinner everyone LOVES!

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Topping

This pot pie is a delicious chicken stew with biscuit topping.

It makes one of the best bubbling, cozy, delicious winter casserole recipes ever.

You’ll love it.

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Puff Pastry

My chicken pot pie casserole tucks a creamy chicken filling under a flaky, golden puff pastry crust. There is no bottom crust to blind bake, which keeps it quick and easy for a weeknight.

Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice with Lemon and Mushrooms

A super simple recipe for oven-baked chicken and rice with lemon and mushrooms that’s all about cozy vibes.

The best part? It’s a one-pot meal! Perfect for those nights when you want something hearty but easy.

View the Chicken and Mushroom Casserole recipe here.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Win over anyone with this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole. The recipe is easy to follow and works deliciously with tater tots or any frozen hashbrowns.

Or for a regular potato version, make my Chicken Potato Casserole.

So creamy, cozy and delicious!

Chicken Enchilada Bake

These chicken and cheese enchiladas in white sauce are total comfort food at its finest.

It’s a delicious mix of juicy chicken, veggies, and loads of melty cheese, all tucked into soft tortillas. They’re drenched in a creamy, dreamy sauce that takes it all to the next level.

View the Chicken Enchilada Bake recipe here.

Macaroni and Cheese Bake

A good baked macaroni and cheese recipe is original cozy oven-baked saucy pasta dish. Add some cooked chicken, chorizo or crisp bacon if you like.

This super-saucy (never dry!) baked mac and cheese will be your new favorite.

View the Baked Mac and Cheese recipe here.

Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

Here is a fun breakfast dish – my Tater Tot Breakfast casserole!

Tater Tot casserole is the ultimate comfort breakfast casserole dish.

Imagine crispy tater tots nestled in a cozy blanket of gooey cheese eggs with so much savory goodness. Add sausage if you like.

It’s like a warm hug on a lazy morning. I like it for dinner, too.

View the Tater Tot casserole recipe here.

Butternut Squash Pasta Casserole

This Butternut Squash Pasta Casserole has pretty much all my favorite things. It features roasted butternut squash with its edges sweet and browned, tangy goat cheese, crispy bacon, sage, and sweet caramelized onions.

They all come together with a browned butter bechamel sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to lick the pot clean.

View the Butternut Casserole recipe here.

Walking Taco Casserole

You’ve got to try walking taco casserole—it’s like a fiesta in a dish!

Think of layers of crunchy chips, savory taco ground beef, gooey cheddar cheese, sour cream and all your favorite flavors. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table for a good time.

View the Walking Taco casserole recipe here.

Samosa Pie

Love samosas? Love casseroles? You’ll be obsessed with this Samosa Pie. It’s a fan favorite recipe on the blog for a reason.

All the goodness of chicken and potato samosas in one tasty spice mixture, topped with store-bought puff pastry (or homemade pie crust).

View the Samosa Pie recipe here.

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils

This Veggie Shepherd’s Pie with lentils has all the hearty, cozy vibes you’d get from the traditional meat version.

Even my husband, who’s all about meat, didn’t notice it was made with lentils.

It’s ultra tasty and satisfying.

View the Veggie Shepherd’s Pie recipe here.

Beef Pot Pie

This old-fashioned beef pot pie recipe is all of my comfort food dreams come true.

Fork-tender beef chunks and veggies in the most flavorful gravy, all wrapped up in a flaky pie crust. Use homemade pie crust or store-bought puff pastry. This dish is easily a 10/10.

View the Beef Pot Pie recipe here.

Greek Shepherd’s Pie

In this Greek Shepherd’s Pie, I mashed up two of my go-to comfort foods into one amazing dish..

Imagine the rich, flavorful savory ground meat and vegetable layers of moussaka with the cozy, mashed potato topping of a shepherd’s pie. It’s a match made in heaven.

View the Greek Shepherd’s Pie recipe here.

Classic Shepherd’s Pie

My classic shepherd’s pie uses ground beef or lamb, whichever you like. A deeply savory filling bakes under a thick layer of fluffy mashed potatoes with golden, crisp peaks, and it is the dinner I make the week the weather turns.

Turkey Chow Mein Casserole

Turkey Chow Mein Casserole is a liberal twist on a classic Asian dish.

With tender turkey, crunchy vegetables, and savory chow mein noodles , this casserole is absolutely delicious. FYI you could totally make this with rotisserie chicken, too.

It’s a great choice if you have leftovers for Thanksgiving and need to make something tasty and filling.

View the Turkey Chow Mein recipe here.

Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken

This lush Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken features cheese-filled tortelloni coated in a cozy Alfredo sauce made from cream, butter, and Asiago cheese.

Easy Italian comfort food at its best.

View the Asiago Tortelloni recipe here.

Cornbread Casserole

Here is my super popular recipe for cornbread casserole. It is simple to make and it comes out moist and fluffy.

Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cornbread with my easy cornbread casserole.

View the Cornbread Casserole recipe here.

Green Bean Casserole

The ultimate Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions.

Ah, this recipe is just so nostalgic and the perfect holiday recipe. The crispy onions on the top are savory perfection.

View the green bean casserole recipe here.

Turkey Casserole with Mashed Potato Topping

Got some Thanksgiving leftovers and not sure what to do with them? Well, say hello to my Thanksgiving leftover casserole—a delicious and creative way to reinvent your holiday feast.

This casserole is like a Thanksgiving encore, featuring layers of turkey, mashed potatoes, a stuffing crust!

It’s the ultimate comfort food that will have you reliving the holiday magic.

View the Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole here.

Crockpot Lasagna

My crockpot lasagna is cheesy, saucy, and hands-off. The slow cooker layers tender noodles, beef, and melty cheese for a cozy winter dinner.

Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes

My gluten-free au gratin potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and comforting. They are a perfect winter casserole side.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

My cheesy potato casserole bakes creamy, cheesy hash browns under a buttered cornflake crust. It is the classic many people call “funeral potatoes,” and I share my trick for keeping the topping crunchy.

Cauliflower Casserole

My cauliflower casserole is creamy and cheesy with a buttery, crispy breadcrumb topping, and it is done in 30 minutes. I serve it as a side, and sometimes as a main dish, like a veggie-powered take on baked mac and cheese.

French Onion Soup Casserole

This casserole from The Cookie Rookie is all cheesy, bubbly, golden goodness.

It’s a brilliant vegetarian main course or side to roast chicken. If you want cheap, umami-laden, and melted cheese enriched, this is it!

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Grab this recipe from The Cozy Cook: Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.

This is a comforting and family-friendly dish that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

This recipe combines tender chicken, al dente spaghetti, and a creamy, cheesy sauce for a mouthwatering meal that everyone will love.

With just the right balance of flavors and textures, this casserole is perfect for cozy dinners or potluck gatherings.

Philly Steak Casserole

Introducing Philly Steak Casserole from Keto Cooking Christian.

This is basically a keto-friendly twist on the classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

This recipe features tender beef, sautéed peppers, onions, and gooey cheese, all baked together in a deliciously savory casserole.

Turkey Casserole (Tetrazzini)

This Turkey Casserole (Tetrazzini) from Julie’s Eats And Treats is a delight!

It’s a delightful way to repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers, guys.

This recipe features tender turkey, al dente pasta, and a creamy mushroom sauce, all baked to golden perfection.

Pork + Apple Casserole

Grab this pork and apple casserole from The Kitchen Santuary, today!

It is a combination of savory pork, sweet apples, and creamy sauce that’s perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings.

With tender pork, caramelized apples, and a luscious creamy sauce, this casserole is a delight. I also love that its made with cider – wow!

Try it with my almost-famous mashed potatoes.

Shrimp + Crab Casserole

Check out his cheerful shrimp and crab seafood casserole on From A Chefs Kitchen’s blog.

The flavors are the dish is loaded with succulent seafood flavors and a creamy sauce, it’s got a gourmet feel to it!

Mushroom Casserole

Download this hearty Mushroom Casserole from That Loving Feeling.

It is packed with earthy mushrooms and savory goodness. With its simple yet satisfying flavors, it’s a versatile dish that pairs perfectly with any meal.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Take a glance at this potato casserole from Cooktoria.

Take your love for potatoes to the next level with this indulgent Twice Baked Potato Casserole.

It is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese. It’s a crowd-pleasing side dish for sure.

Parsnip And Carrot Casserole

Check out this fun vegetarians casserole from Full Of Plants.

Elevate your side dish game with this easy parsnip carrot bake, featuring sweet parsnips, tender carrots, and a golden breadcrumb topping.

It’s a flavorful and wholesome dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

Spinach And Feta Casserole

Here is a fabulous spinach casserole from Olive Tomato with a feta and crunchy topping and a flavorful dish that’s both nutritious and delicious.

More Delicious Casserole Recipes to Try!

37+ Delicious Mediterranean Casserole Recipes
My Favorite Healthy Chicken Recipes
Ground Beef Casserole Recipes

33+ Cozy Winter Casserole Recipes

Craving comfort? Try some of the best Winter casserole recipes on the internet. They are cozy, warming, layered with flavor and totally satisfying.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Casserole Recipes, Chicken Casserole, Cornbread Casserole

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

winter casseroles

Instructions

Pick your favorite winter casserole recipe from the collection above and enjoy!

Ground Beef Casserole Recipes (to Change Your Mind about Ground Beef!)

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

Don’t miss these easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipes to shake up the weekday routine. With inspiration from all over the world, there’s so much flavor here you’ll want to try them all.

Turn that pound of ground beef in your freezer into one of these epic dinner recipes that can be whipped up in no time at all.

Move over, hamburger helper.

Cheeseburger Casserole

This Cheeseburger Casserole recipe is a family favorite, hands down. It’s quick, SUPER easy to make, and everyone always loves it.

The flavors remind you of a classic cheeseburger, but in a cozy casserole form. Perfect for busy nights when you need something delicious on the table fast. This is one of the ground beef casserole recipes you’ll make again and again.

Pair it with a crisp iceberg lettuce salad dressed with Big Mac Sauce.

Walking Taco Casserole

Indulge the whole family with my delicious walking taco casserole recipe, featuring layers of spicy seasoned ground beef or chicken, Doritos or corn chips, creamy sour cream, melted cheese, and savory refried beans.

Serve it with a side of my taco salsa and my creamy guacamole.

One-Pan Hamburger Casserole (Beef + Noodles Cook RIGHT IN THE SAUCE!)

This Hamburger Casserole blows my mind every time.

It truly warrants capitalized enthusiasm in title.

No boiling, no browning—just toss everything in one dish and bake. The pasta and beef cook right in the sauce. It’s cozy, cheesy, and ridiculously easy. I’m obsessed.

Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

My shepherd’s pie is the dinner I make the week the weather turns. A deeply savory ground beef filling (or lamb, if you prefer) bakes under a thick layer of fluffy mashed potatoes with golden, crisp peaks.

Crockpot Lasagna

My crockpot lasagna is cheesy, saucy, and hands-off. The slow cooker layers tender noodles, beef, and melty cheese with no oven needed.

Savory Baklava

Here’s a super impressive recipe for a savory baklava from Spoon Fork Bacon. This recipe combines the rich, buttery layers of phyllo dough with a flavorful filling of ground beef, aromatic spices, and melty cheese.

Pair it with classic Greek side dishes like a fresh Greek salad and a bowl of creamy tzatziki sauce.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Feel the summer vibes with this stuffed pepper casserole recipe from Delish Sides! It is one of the easiest oven-baked casseroles around. Made with ground beef, bell peppers, cooked rice (white or brown), and various other yummy ingredients and seasonings.

Bake this recipe to perfection in about 45 minutes and serve up to 6 people or keep the extra to enjoy as leftovers. This cheesy casserole is a fun twist on traditional stuffed peppers. It’s more convenient and just as delicious.

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole (And Rice)

Make this incredibly tasty rice and ground beef dish from Recipe Tin Eats.

Say goodbye to boring beef mince recipes! Kickoff the week with this flavor-packed Mexican dish. Featuring corn, bell peppers, and black beans, this rice casserole is juicy, cheesy, and bursting with bold Mexican flavors.

This one-pot, quick dinner idea is ready in just 30 minutes!

Related: Authentic Beef Taco recipe

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

This recipe from Southern Living for a homestyle ground beef casserole with pasta is a classic dish made with simple, easily substitutable ingredients. It has minimal hands-on prep time and freezer-friendly convenience. Make and bake it in a skillet or a casserole dish like in the image.

Swap the beef for ground chicken, turkey or lamb.

Hamburger Potato Casserole

If you’re a lover of scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin so much that you could devour them on their own, this easy and delicious hamburger potato casserole from Key To My Lime is perfect for you! This great dinner idea elevates the classic combination of beef and potatoes to a new level.

As you know, I’m scalloped potatoes number one dan, but adding ground beef transforms this dish into a hearty main course. This meat and potato casserole takes it from being just a side dish to a satisfying meal.

Kafta Bil Sanieh

But First Chai gives us this insanely delicious recipe for Kafta Bil Sanieh. This is a delectable Lebanese baked casserole showing off layers of ground meat patties, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes in a spiced tomato sauce. It’s best paired with fresh pita bread, and a green salad.

Lebanese Potato Souffle

Feel Good Food gives us this Lebanese potato souffle, known as Batata Soufflé in Arabic. It is a nostalgic recipe that holds a special place in the heart of every Lebanese person.

Essentially a Lebanese take on Shepherd’s pie, it features layers of creamy mashed potatoes and spiced ground beef filling, creating the ultimate comfort food.

Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

Low-carb Philly cheesesteak casserole from Wholesome Yum combines cream cheese, garlic, ground beef, sautéed peppers, and onions for the classic cheesesteak flavor, all topped with a layer of melty provolone cheese.

Ready in just 30 minutes and made with simple ingredients, it’s an easy and delicious weeknight meal you can whip up at the last minute.

Enchilada Casserole

How cheesy and delicious does this recipe from Modern Proper look? I’m in love. Bake up layers of cheese, onions, peppers, ground beef mince, chilis, beans and more. Its insanely delicious and you’ll be dipping into the leftovers all week long.

Serve with all your favorites – guac, sour cream, salsa, and anything else you have up your sleeve. It’s perfect with a side of my Mexican rice, by the way.

French Onion Beef Casserole

I love this easy-going but tasty casserole recipe from Savvy Saving Couple. If you are a lover of French onion soup, you’ll adore this French onion ground beef casserole! It’s the perfect comfort food for a chilly winter evening, and the best part is that it’s easy to make and takes only about 30 minutes from start to finish.

You’ll have a delicious, hearty meal that everyone in your family will enjoy. So, let’s gather the ingredients for this tasty beef dish and get cooking!

Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole

Your kids are going to go crazy for this Tater Tot and ground beef casserole recipe from Salt and Lavender. It’s a super fun recipe and screams YUM! Serve it with an easy chopped salad and it will go down a treat.

The addition of cream of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese elevate the nostalgia.

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator and pop servings in the microwave all week for a quick lunch. It’s great with ground turkey, too.

Psst. if you love tater tots, you must try my Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole and Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, too.

Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole

Here’s a fun recipe from The Cooking Jar for sour cream beef and egg noodle casserole to rock your world. It’s made with a dead-easy ground beef mixture that’s lightly spiced and oh-so-saucy.

It’s got loads of cheese and creamy goodness and makes the perfect easy main to go alongside a steaming bowl of veggies like bright green beans or steamed snap peas.

Related: egg noodles vs pasta

Cornbread Cowboy Casserole

Nothing thrills me more than a steaming skillet of cornbread. This recipe from I Am Homesteader combines my favorites; perfectly flavored ground beef, bacon, baked beans, and barbecue sauce. Its super tasty and looks cute too.

Related: Cornbread Casserole (impossibly moist!)

Other Hearty Casseroles you Need to Try

If you love making cozy, steaming casserole dishes, here’s a list of what not to miss:

More Cozy Beef Recipes

Beef Pot Pie with golden flaky crust
Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe
The best Meatloaf recipe
This fall-apart tender Instant Pot Steak recipe
Air Fryer Roast Beef

If you like a beefy, cheesy bake without a pasta base, this stuffed green peppers recipe is a weeknight favorite.

15 Ground Beef Casserole Recipes (You’ll Crave on Repeat)

Here's a bank of ground beef casserole recipes to dive into for a little online meal inspiration. Turn that pound of ground beef in your freezer into one of these incredibly epic lunch or dinner recipes that can be whipped up in no time at all.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Ground Beef Casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

Ground Beef

Instructions

Pick your favorite ground beef casserole recipes from the collection above and enjoy!

29 Best Easy Crock Pot Recipes

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

Cozy and always tasty, these easy crock pot recipes skimp on effort but never flavor, from fall-apart-tender beef to juicy chicken and beyond.

Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

Chicken stays juicy and tender in the slow cooker, which makes these recipes great for busy days. They’re simple, comforting options that always hit the spot.

1. Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

This cozy crockpot chicken and noodles has soft egg noodles and tender chicken in a creamy sauce. It’s pure comfort and pairs perfectly with a side of air fryer broccoli or mashed potatoes.

For a dump-and-go beef dinner from the same slow cooker, try my mississippi pot roast.

5 from 6 votes

Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

This Crockpot chicken and noodles is a perfect make-ahead meal, both convenient and comforting. It’s a one-pot wonder ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!

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2. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Your slow cooker handles everything in this bright, cozy chicken noodle soup. The broth gets rich, the veggies soften perfectly, and the chicken stays tender. I love serving it with homemade bread or a simple green salad.

4.84 from 6 votes

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup (Easy + Extra Tasty!)

Crockpot chicken noodle soup is easy comfort food you need. Make the best with this easy slow cooker chicken soup recipe – just 15 min prep!

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3. Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie

This crock pot chicken pot pie simmers chicken thighs and vegetables low and slow in a creamy sauce. I bake easy drop biscuits on the side for the “crust,” so they stay fluffy instead of turning soggy.

4. Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Pumpkin Sauce

These pumpkin chicken enchiladas are unexpected and so good. The sauce is creamy, a little spicy, and full of fall vibes. They’re great with Mexican rice or a simple green salad.

Crockpot Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas with Spicy Pumpkin Sauce

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5. Shredded Chicken Tacos

My slow cooker shredded chicken tacos are juicy, well-seasoned, and perfect for taco night. Add toppings like avocado, lime, or my quick pickled red onions.

5 from 11 votes

Easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos

These Easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos are slow cooked in the tastiest sauce until fall-apart tender. It's my favorite chicken taco crockpot recipe, and one I make on repeat!

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6. Crack Chicken (5 Ingredients)

This easy crack chicken recipe uses only five ingredients and turns out creamy, savory, and perfect for stuffing into buns or serving over steamed rice. It’s a simple slow cooker meal that works for busy nights.

5 from 4 votes

3-Ingredient Crack Chicken Recipe

Ultra-creamy slow cooker Crack Chicken with ranch, cheddar, and bacon. Pile it on buns, rice, or baked potatoes. Easy, comforting crockpot recipe, and great for meal prep.

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7. Crockpot BBQ Chicken (10 Minutes Prep)

This fall-apart tender Crockpot BBQ chicken needs just 10 minutes of hands-on time. The smoky, tangy sauce soaks right into the shredded meat. Pile it on toasted buns with coleslaw, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

5 from 4 votes

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thigh Recipe (Fall-Apart Tender!)

Juicy, tender Crockpot BBQ Chicken. You'll love this EASY, set-it-and-forget-it recipe with just 10 minutes prep. Perfect for busy weekdays or for picnics/potlucks!

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8. Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

My slow cooker whole chicken comes out juicy with golden, crisp skin and almost no effort. It even makes its own rich broth for soups later in the week.

5 from 2 votes

Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

This slow cooker whole chicken recipe delivers incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone results with minimal effort. The long, gentle cooking time allows the connective tissue to melt into the meat, creating an impossibly silky texture that's hard to achieve any other way.

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9. Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This crock pot garlic parmesan chicken is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with garlic. Serve it over pasta or steamed rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

5 from 5 votes

Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Make Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken (tender chicken breasts in creamy sauce) in 15 minutes prep, then let your slow cooker handle dinner!

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10. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

My crockpot chicken alfredo turns out rich, creamy, and full of tender chicken. The slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day.

4 from 4 votes

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

This easy Crockpot Chicken Alfredo is creamy, cheesy, and ready when you are. Tender chicken thighs cook in a rich alfredo sauce, then get tossed with fettuccine for an effortless dinner.

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11. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta

My crockpot buffalo chicken pasta lets the slow cooker make the sauce for you. Chicken thighs, ranch and three cheeses melt into a spicy buffalo sauce that coats the penne like a buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

12. Crockpot Lemon Chicken

This bright crockpot lemon chicken is tender and lightly tangy. It is a fresh, simple meal that pairs nicely with rice or roasted vegetables.

5 from 4 votes

Creamy Crockpot Lemon Chicken

This Crockpot Lemon Chicken is bright, creamy, and packed with flavor. Tender chicken breasts cook in a lemony broth, then get finished with a rich cream sauce that’s absolutely irresistible.

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Easy Crock Pot Recipes with Beef

Slow cooking beef brings out deep flavor and guarantees tender results. These recipes are rich, cozy, and always satisfying.

1. Crockpot Beef Tips with Gravy

This beef tips recipe gives you fall-apart meat in a silky gravy. Spoon it over mashed potatoes or fluffy rice for the best comfort meal.

5 from 26 votes

Tender Crockpot Beef Tips (with Easy Gravy!)

Melt-in-your-mouth beef in a rich, silky gravy. I brown the meat, toast the tomato paste, then let the slow cooker handle the rest. It’s cozy, simple, and great over potatoes, noodles, or rice.

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2. Shredded Beef (Crock Pot or Oven)

My shredded beef recipe works in the crockpot or oven. It’s juicy and flavorful, and can be used for tacos, bowls, sandwiches, or over rice.

5 from 3 votes

Fall-Apart Tender Shredded Beef Recipe (Crock Pot or Oven!)

This easy Shredded Beef recipe is packed with savory flavor and melts in your mouth. Perfect for tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls, or meal prep!

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3. Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

This slow cooked spaghetti sauce has ground beef, tomato, and herbs simmered for hours. It’s rich and comforting and makes dinner almost effortless.

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Crockpot Spaghetti Recipe with Ground Beef

A richly flavourful spaghetti sauce recipe in the crockpot, plus science-based cooking secrets to making the best sauce ever in your slow cooker.

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4. Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs

These Korean short ribs turn meltingly tender in the slow cooker. They’re savory, a little sweet, and incredible with rice and quick pickled onions.

5 from 4 votes

Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs

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5. Slow Cooker Short Ribs

When I want a crockpot dinner that feels fancy enough for a special meal, I make these slow cooker short ribs. Bone-in beef short ribs braise in red wine and broth until the meat pulls apart with a fork, with a rich gravy to spoon over the top.

6. Crockpot Lasagna

This easy crockpot lasagna cooks into soft, layered pasta with a rich, cheesy filling. It’s a great hands-off dinner and pairs nicely with simple garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

5 from 15 votes

Crockpot Lasagna Recipe (Easy, Cheesy + DELICIOUS!)

This Crockpot Lasagna recipe is delicious and SO easy. The Crockpot creates slow-simmered rich flavor and "bakes" the lasagna in one step.

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7. Shredded Beef Tacos

These shredded beef tacos are loaded with tender, juicy meat and simple toppings. They start with my slow cooked shredded beef and are perfect for an easy taco night with the family.

Shredded Beef Tacos Recipe (Meltingly Tender!)

This Shredded Beef Tacos recipe melts in your mouth and is packed with delicious flavor. Make it in the crock pot or in the oven!

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8. Crock Pot Chuck Roast

My crock pot chuck roast slow cooks until fork-tender in a savory gravy. It is classic comfort food with very little hands-on time.

5 from 3 votes

Chuck Roast in Crock Pot (Fall Apart Tender!)

This Crock Pot Chuck roast turns out meltingly tender with flavorful gravy and perfectly cooked vegetables. It’s the kind of hands-off comfort food that’s perfect for busy weekdays or Sunday supper.

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Easy Crock Pot Recipes with Pork

Nothing beats fall-apart tender pork straight out of the crock pot.

1. Crock Pot Ham

Ultra tender, my low-and-slow crock pot ham is such an easy way to get mouth-watering results. I love serving this with creamy mashed potatoes and perfectly bright green beans.

4.97 from 29 votes

Easy Crockpot Ham Recipe (Moist and Juicy Every Time!)

This Crockpot Ham recipe is juicy, tender, and simmered right in the glaze for maximum flavor. I'm a Food Scientist sharing secrets to make slow cooker ham PERFECTLY every time.

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2. Crock Pot Pork Shoulder

This fall apart tender pork shoulder turns juicy and flavorful with almost no effort. Serve it with coleslaw, rice, or stuffed into warm buns.

4.99 from 88 votes

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder (Crockpot Recipe – Fall-Apart Tender!)

This melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder makes fall-apart tender pork with a delicious, caramelized crust EVERY time.

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3. Crockpot Pork Loin

My pork loin recipe stays tender and juicy thanks to a simple seasoning blend and the slow cooker’s gentle heat. Pair it with roasted potatoes or bright green beans.

4.92 from 187 votes

Slow Cooker Pork Loin (Fall-Apart Tender with the Tastiest Sauce!)

Fall-apart tender slow cooker pork loin that cooks on its own while you get on with your day. This easy crockpot pork loin recipe is soft, outrageously juicy + super tasty.

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Easy Breakfast Crockpot Recipes

Your slow cooker can make mornings easier than ever. These breakfast recipes cook hands-off and give you warm, satisfying meals to start the day.

1. Overnight Crockpot Baked Oats

These overnight baked oats cook while you sleep and come out tender and cake-like. The leftovers reheat well for simple weekday breakfasts.

5 from 5 votes

Overnight Crockpot Slow Cooker Baked Oats

These Crockpot™ Slow Cooker Baked Oats are such an easy way to get breakfast on the table quickly in the morning. Made overnight, my version of this viral TikTok baked oatmeal recipe features juicy peaches. Feel free to swap in any other in-season fruit (or even chocolate chips!).

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2. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

This pumpkin spice oatmeal is cozy, lightly sweet, and perfect for fall. It simmers into a warm, creamy breakfast with almost no hands-on time.

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Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Slow-cooker steel-cut oats with pumpkin and spices. The creamiest oatmeal you’ll ever eat.

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3. Carrot Cake Steel-Cut Oats

My carrot cake oatmeal tastes like dessert for breakfast but is made with wholesome ingredients. It’s a great prep-ahead recipe for busy mornings.

Carrot Cake Slow-Cooker Steel-Cut Oats

Do you know how to make steel cut oatmeal in the slow cooker? Here’s a carrot cake oatmeal recipe with cinnamon and raisins that cooks overnight. Such a nice smell to wake up to!

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Vegetarian Crockpot Recipes

Vegetarian slow cooker meals are cozy, filling, and incredibly simple. These dishes rely on smart seasoning and long simmer time for great flavor.

1. Crockpot Tortellini Soup

This creamy tortellini soup is comforting, simple, and packed with tender pasta in a rich broth. It’s a great vegetarian dinner and goes well with homemade bread for dipping.

5 from 3 votes

Crockpot Tortellini Soup (Vegetarian + So Tasty!)

Learn how to make tasty tortellini soup in the crockpot with this easy, healthy Crockpot Tortellini Soup recipe using simple ingredients.

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Other Easy Crockpot Recipes

These slow cooker favorites aren’t meat-focused but still deliver easy comfort. They make great breakfasts, sides, and cozy bowls.

1. Crock Pot Potatoes

These fluffy slow cooker potatoes turn out creamy inside with golden edges. They’re great with weeknight dinners or big holiday meals.

5 from 2 votes

Crock Pot Potatoes (Fluffy + Foolproof!)

If you’re looking for an easy, hands-off way to make perfectly tender and flavorful potatoes, then these crock pot potatoes are a game-changer.

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2. Crockpot Turkey Chili

This hearty crockpot turkey chili is cozy, lean, and packed with flavor. Top it with cheese and serve with cornbread for an easy dinner.

Best Turkey Chili Crockpot Recipe

This slow cooker turkey chili is thick, hearty, and deeply savory. Browning the tomato paste with the turkey builds richer flavor before it ever hits the crockpot. A slightly shorter cook time keeps the turkey tender while still developing that slow-simmered taste.

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20 Unique Apple Recipes (Way Beyond Pie!)

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

Unique Apple Recipes that go way past apple crisp: cozy soups, drinks, savory dinners, pastries, cakes and muffins (plus a list of freezer-friendly apple recipes and the lowdown on which apple to buy for each!).

The first chilly morning of September, and immediately I want the whole kitchen to smell like apples and brown sugar. I love to make new, interesting apple recipes every year, and this is my treasured collection of favorites. I know you’ll love them as much as I do!

Cozy Apple Cakes and Cheesecakes

When I want dessert that feeds a crowd, I reach for one of these.

Apple Pie Cake

Apple Pie Cake is all the flavor of apple pie in an easy, sliceable cake.

Chai Spiced Apple Cake

Chai Spiced Apple Cake is a warmly spiced cake finished with tangy cream cheese frosting.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Caramel Apple Cheesecake is creamy cheesecake crowned with cinnamon apples and a drizzle of caramel.

Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel Apple Cake is a tender, spiced cake with ribbons of caramel running through it.

Apple Muffins, Breads and Cookies

These are the lunchbox and after-school snacks that disappear fast at my house.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Apple Cinnamon Muffins are soft, bakery-style muffins that are perfect for busy mornings.

Soft and Chewy Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps

Soft and Chewy Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps are chewy, spiced cookies with little bites of apple tucked inside.

Apple Pies, Tarts and Pastries

These are the showstoppers, the ones that make the whole house smell like fall.

Chai Apple Pie

Chai Apple Pie is the classic warmed up with cardamom, ginger and cinnamon for extra flavor beyond what a classic Easy Apple Pie offers.

Apple Tart with Frangipane

Apple Tart with Frangipane is an elegant almond-cream tart that looks harder to make than it is.

Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling

Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling are fluffy cinnamon rolls stuffed with real apple pie filling for a slow weekend.

Apple Fritters

My apple fritters fry up with crisp edges, tender middles and craggy tops, just like the ones from a donut shop. A simple glaze gives them the bakery-style finish.

Apple Breakfast Ideas

A make-ahead breakfast that tastes like dessert is the easiest fall win.

Caramelized Apple Overnight Oats

Caramelized Apple Overnight Oats are a make-ahead breakfast that tastes like apple pie you get to eat before work.

Bircher Muesli

Bircher Muesli is grated apple soaked overnight with oats, yogurt and juice, so breakfast is done before you wake up.

Cozy Apple Soups

Apples add a subtle sweetness that makes a blended soup taste rounded and warming.

Apple Parsnip Soup

Apple Parsnip Soup is a silky, lightly sweet soup that is right for the first chilly night.

Spiced Carrot-Apple Soup

Spiced Carrot-Apple Soup is bright, cozy and blended smooth with warm spices.

Autumn Squash Soup

Autumn Squash Soup is butternut squash and a whole apple blended smooth with Chinese five spice and fresh sage.

Savory Dinners with Apples

Apples are not just for dessert. They bring a little sweetness to savory dinners too. The stuffing and the pork chops are also my two favorite Thanksgiving apple recipes.

Pork Chops with Apples

Pork Chops with Apples are juicy pork chops with a tasty pan sauce and tender apples.

Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage

Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage is a cozy one-pot dinner where apples add a subtle sweetness.

Turkey Stuffing with Apples

Turkey Stuffing with Apples is an herby, apple-studded stuffing made easy on the stovetop.

Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese

Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese is sharp cheddar and thin apple slices in a crisp, buttery sandwich.

Apple Drinks

Round out the season with a drink that puts apples front and center.

Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail

Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail is a warm-spiced sipper that is perfect for cool-weather gatherings.

Apple Recipes to Freeze

Apple season lands all at once, so I bake for the freezer every fall. These are the freezable apple recipes in this collection, with how to store each one.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Cool them completely, then freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Warm one straight from frozen.
Apple-Cinnamon Gingersnaps: Freeze the baked cookies, or freeze scoops of raw dough and bake them from frozen.
Easy Apple Pie and Chai Apple Pie: Bake, cool fully, then wrap airtight. Both keep for up to 3 months.
Caramel Apple Cake and Apple Pie Cake: Freeze whole or in slices, double wrapped. Thaw at room temperature.
Chai Spiced Apple Cake: Freeze the cake unfrosted and make the frosting fresh on the day you serve it.
The soups: Apple Parsnip Soup, Spiced Carrot-Apple Soup and Autumn Squash Soup all freeze well. Cool, portion, and leave an inch of headspace.
Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage: Freeze it in single portions and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Turkey Stuffing with Apples: Freeze it cooked, then reheat it covered so it steams instead of drying out.

Skip the freezer for the Caramel Apple Cheesecake and the overnight oats. Creamy and soaked textures are much better fresh from the fridge.

You can also freeze the apples themselves. Toss peeled slices with lemon juice, freeze them flat on a tray, then bag them for pie later.

Healthy Apple Recipes

I am a dietitian, so the question I get most is which of these are weekday food. These healthy apple recipes lean on whole fruit, oats and vegetables instead of sugar.

Bircher Muesli: Grated apple soaked overnight with oats and yogurt, so breakfast is done before you wake up.
Caramelized Apple Overnight Oats: Tastes like apple pie, but it is built on oats and fruit.
Apple Parsnip Soup: A blended vegetable soup that turns silky from the parsnips themselves.
Spiced Carrot-Apple Soup: Bright, cozy and blended smooth with warm spices.
Autumn Squash Soup: Butternut squash and a whole apple, blended with five spice and sage.
Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage: A one-pot dinner that is mostly vegetables, with apple for balance.

The two carrot and apple recipes here, the Spiced Carrot-Apple Soup and the ABC juice, are the fastest way to use up a bag of each.

Apple Recipes for Kids

These are the apple recipes for kids that actually get eaten at my house. Muffins for lunchboxes, cookies for after school, and a grilled cheese for a fast dinner.

Green Apple Recipes

Green apple means Granny Smith, and it is the most reliable baking apple there is. In side-by-side pie tests it holds its shape better than any other variety.

The tartness matters as much as the texture. It keeps a sweet filling from tasting flat, which is why it shows up in so many of my recipes.

Easy Apple Pie: Granny Smith is the reason the slices hold together instead of turning soupy.
Chai Apple Pie: Tart apple stands up to the cardamom, ginger and cinnamon.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins: Green apple keeps little bites of fruit distinct in the crumb.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake: The tartness cuts the caramel and the cream cheese.
Pork Chops with Apples: Green apple in the pan sauce balances the richness of the pork.
Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage: A tart apple keeps the cabbage and broth from tasting one-note.

Green apples are worth buying by the bag. They store longer than softer varieties and they work in both sweet and savory cooking.

Which Apple for Which Recipe

Apple variety changes the result more than any other choice you make. Here is how the common ones behave, so you can shop with a plan. Green apples have their own section above.

Honeycrisp Apple Recipes

Honeycrisp is sweet-tart, lightly aromatic and very crisp, with coarse flesh that stays juicy. It is my pick when I want the apple to still taste like apple. Use it in the Easy Apple Pie, the Apple Cinnamon Muffins or the Turkey Stuffing with Apples.

Gala Apple Recipes

Gala is mild, sweet and low in acid, with thin skin you barely notice. It shines raw and juiced more than it does baked on its own. Pair it with a tart apple in pie, or send it to the ABC juice.

Cortland Apple Recipes

Cortland is slow to brown after slicing, making it the one for salads, cheese boards and the Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese.

Jonagold Apple Recipes

Jonagold is a Jonathan crossed with a Golden Delicious, so it is honeyed and tart at once. TIt keeps its shape when cooked. That makes it a good pie apple and a good cake apple, and it suits the Pork Chops with Apples.

Rome Apple Recipes

Rome is a baking apple first and an eating apple a distant second. It keeps its shape well in pies and baked goods. Use it baked whole and stuffed, or in a pie where you want firm slices.

Ginger Gold Apple Recipes

Ginger Gold is an early-season apple, sweet with mild tartness and very slow to brown. That makes it a good choice for anything sliced raw. Baked, the flavor turns mild, so it is not my first pick for pie.

Red Delicious Apple Recipes

Red Delicious is sweet, low in acid and soft, and it’s more of a fresh-eating apple than a baking one. Slice it into a salad or the grilled cheese. Send a bag that is going soft to the juicer.

Tips for Baking and Cooking with Apples

A few simple things make every apple recipe turn out better.

Pick the right apple: Firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Braeburn hold their shape in pies and cakes.
Know your soft apples: McIntosh and Cortland break down into sauce, so save those for applesauce and smooth fillings.
Stop the browning: Toss cut apples with a little lemon juice, since the acid slows the enzyme that turns them brown.
Mix your varieties: A blend of tart and sweet apples gives pies the best texture and most balanced flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.

What are the best apples for baking?

The best apples for baking are firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Braeburn. They hold their shape when heated and balance sweetness with a little brightness, so your pies and cakes have real texture instead of turning to mush.

Which apples turn soft when cooked?

Softer varieties like McIntosh and Cortland break down quickly when cooked. That makes them a poor choice for pies you want sliceable, but a great choice for applesauce, butters and smooth fillings where you actually want the apples to melt down.

How do I keep cut apples from browning?

To keep cut apples from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice. The acid slows the enzyme that reacts with air and turns the flesh brown. A quick soak in lightly salted or lemon water works too if you are prepping ahead.

Do I need to peel apples for baking?

For pies and cakes, peeling gives a more tender bite, so it is usually worth it. For rustic tarts, crisps and sauces you can leave the skins on to save time and add a little color and fiber. It comes down to the texture you want.

Can I freeze apple desserts?

Many apple desserts freeze well. Baked pies, muffins and quick breads keep for up to three months when wrapped airtight. Thaw them at room temperature and warm briefly in the oven. Fresh, creamy items like cheesecake are best kept in the fridge instead.

What can I make with a lot of apples?

With a big bag of apples you can make pies, cakes, muffins, overnight oats, cozy soups and even savory dinners. This collection covers all of it, so you can work through a bushel without ever making the same thing twice.

What is the easiest apple recipe for beginners?

The easiest apple recipes for beginners are the 6-ingredient Easy Apple Pie and the Apple Cinnamon Muffins. Both are forgiving, need no special equipment, and come together with pantry staples, so they are a great place to start baking with apples.

What apples are best for apple pie?

The best apples for apple pie are a mix of firm-tart and sweet-firm varieties. Granny Smith brings brightness and structure, while Honeycrisp or Braeburn add sweetness. Combining them gives you a filling that holds its shape with balanced, layered flavor.

What are some unique apple recipes?

The unique apple recipes people do not expect are the savory ones. Apple Cheddar Grilled Cheese, Apple Parsnip Soup and Chicken Stew with Apples and Cabbage all use apple for balance instead of sweetness. Chai Apple Pie and Bircher Muesli are the other two that surprise people most.

What are the healthiest apple recipes?

The healthiest apple recipes here are Bircher Muesli and Caramelized Apple Overnight Oats, which are built on whole fruit and oats. The blended vegetable soups and the ABC apple, beet and carrot juice are the other options that keep the apple close to its whole form.

What can I make with green apples?

Green apples are Granny Smiths, and they hold their shape better than any other variety when baked. Use them in apple pie, apple muffins and caramel apple cheesecake, where the tartness balances the sugar. They also work in savory cooking, like pork chops with apples.

More Seasonal Favorites You’ll Love

Looking for a crunchy no-cook option? Try my Waldorf salad, with crisp apples, grapes and walnuts in a honey-sweetened Greek yogurt dressing.

31 Thanksgiving Side Dishes (Make-Ahead + Crowd-Pleasing)

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:03:34 +0000

The turkey gets the credit. But these Thanksgiving side dishes are what people actually come back for, and what they text me about in December. Below you will find potatoes five ways, plus casseroles, roasted vegetables, breads, two gravies and four starters.

I have flagged which sides use the stovetop, the slow cooker or the Instant Pot. Spread the load and the whole meal gets easier!

Potato Sides for Thanksgiving Dinner

Potatoes are non-negotiable at my table. Start here, then pick one more from this section if you are feeding a crowd.

Mashed Potatoes

My Mashed Potatoes start in cold water so they cook evenly from edge to center. Warm the cream before it goes in, so you are not overworking them, which is what turns mash gluey.

Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes

These Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes use no flour thickener at all. Slice them thin and the sauce reduces and sets around every layer.

Crock Pot Potatoes

Crock Pot Potatoes free up the oven and the stovetop completely. No boiling and no checking, which is the real reason I make them on Thanksgiving.

Fried Potatoes

These Fried Potatoes get parboiled first, which roughs up the surface starch. That rough edge is what fries into an audible crust.

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes take 15 to 20 minutes at high pressure for small to medium ones. The sealed pot keeps their sugars concentrated instead of leaching them into water.

Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Bake in One Dish

Casseroles are the workhorses of this meal. You can build all three of these a day ahead and bake them off while the turkey rests.

Cornbread Casserole

My Cornbread Casserole is made from scratch, no boxed mix. The cornmeal soaks in boiling water first, which softens it. That is why it bakes up spoonable enough to replace the stuffing course.

Turkey Stuffing with Apples

My Turkey Stuffing with Apples bakes in a dish instead of the bird, so it comes out golden and easy to make ahead. Use stale bread so the broth absorbs evenly, and season before the eggs go in so you can taste and adjust.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

My Cheesy Potato Casserole, the funeral potatoes people ask for by name, is hash browns baked in a creamy, cheesy base under a buttered cornflake crust. It bakes in a 9×13 dish at 350°F, and my trick keeps the topping crunchy.

Jiffy Corn Casserole

My Jiffy Corn Casserole lands somewhere between cornbread and spoonbread, soft enough to scoop with a big spoon. It takes 5 ingredients and one bowl, and it is a good one to build a day ahead when the oven is booked on the holiday.

Cauliflower Casserole

For Cauliflower Casserole, I boil the florets just until tender, then let them steam dry in the colander. That drying step is what keeps the finished dish from going soupy.

Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese starts with a butter and flour roux. I tested it obsessively so that the sauce stays creamy instead of turning grainy. (You could also try my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese!)

Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes

You need something green and something bright to cut all that butter. These seven do that job without much fuss.

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

My Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple Syrup go into a 450F oven cut side down. That flat face against hot metal is what caramelizes, and the maple finishes the edges like candy.

Glazed Carrots

Glazed Carrots cook in a single pan on the stovetop. The butter and sugar reduce onto the carrots, so nothing pools at the bottom.

Maple Five-Spice Roasted Butternut Squash

My Maple Five-Spice Roasted Butternut Squash roasts in the oven until the edges caramelize. The maple and warm spices make it a natural companion to turkey and mashed potatoes.

Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions is built from scratch, with no canned soup and no packaged fried onions. You fry flour-coated onion slices yourself, and that is the whole difference.

Oven Roasted Radishes

Oven Roasted Radishes turn sweet and nutty in garlic brown butter. Heat mellows the pepper compounds, so nobody guesses what they are eating. This is my favorite way to eat radishes!

Classic Waldorf Salad

My Waldorf salad is the classic old-fashioned apple salad, with crisp apples, grapes and walnuts in a honeyed yogurt dressing. It brings something fresh and crunchy to a table full of rich, warm sides.

Breads and Biscuits for the Table

Something has to mop up the gravy. Three of these four are no-knead. The pumpkin rolls are the only one that asks for real dough work.

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits skip the rolling and cutting entirely. Buttermilk acid reacts with the baking soda, which is what lifts them so high.

No Knead Dutch Oven Bread

My No Knead Dutch Oven Bread rises in two hours, and the dough keeps in the fridge for days. The covered pot traps steam, which is how you get that shattering crust.

Homemade Garlic Bread

Homemade Garlic Bread stirs raw minced garlic straight into softened butter. Raw garlic keeps its bite, so the flavor does not cook away into the crust.

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are soft, faintly spiced and built to be made ahead. They freeze well, and they are even better as turkey sandwiches on Friday.

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Sweet Potato Cornbread gets buttermilk, brown sugar and mashed sweet potato in the batter. The sweet potato holds onto moisture, so the crumb stays soft and tender for days instead of drying out.

Gravy, Pickles and the Extras

Gravy is the one thing people panic about. Make it days early and the whole afternoon calms down.

Make-Ahead Herbed Peppercorn Brown Gravy

My Make-Ahead Herbed Peppercorn Brown Gravy is built days before the bird. It waits in the fridge, so you are not whisking drippings while guests hover.

Turkey Giblet Gravy Without Drippings

Turkey Giblet Gravy Without Drippings builds flavor from simmered giblets and body from a butter and flour roux. You need no drippings at all, so it can be made before the bird goes in.

Easy Pickled Onion

My Easy Pickled Onion takes five minutes of work and lives in the fridge for weeks. Acid resets your palate between rich bites, and it does the same job cranberry sauce does.

Starters to Open the Meal

A small cup of soup or a slice of tart buys you an hour. It keeps everyone happy while the turkey finishes resting.

Autumn Squash Soup

Autumn Squash Soup leans on apple for sweetness instead of sugar. The fruit acid also keeps the squash from tasting flat.

Spiced Carrot Ginger Soup

Spiced Carrot Ginger Soup is bright enough to wake up an appetite. Fresh ginger brings heat without any fat, so nobody fills up early.

Coconut Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger

My Coconut Squash Soup with Turmeric and Ginger is dairy free, which helps when guests eat differently. Coconut fat carries the turmeric flavor the way cream would.

Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart

Squash, Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Tart puts roasted squash and sweet roasted garlic on flaky puff pastry. Roasting the garlic whole turns it mild, so it spreads like butter.

Planning the Day and Using the Leftovers

These two are not sides, but they save the day around them. One gets you to dinner, the other gets you through Friday.

How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner: No-Stress Schedule

The whole day is mapped out in How to Cook Thanksgiving Dinner: No-Stress Schedule. Read it once and you will stop guessing at oven order.

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole turns every container in your fridge into one dinner. It is the reason I deliberately over-make the potatoes.

Which Thanksgiving Side Dishes Can I Make Ahead?

Almost all of them, and this is the single biggest thing that lowers the stress. Gravy is the best candidate, because resting improves it.

Assemble the cornbread, cauliflower and macaroni casseroles the night before. Keep them covered in the fridge, then add 10 to 15 minutes to the bake time.

Mashed potatoes hold beautifully in a slow cooker on warm. Stir in a splash of warm cream before serving and nobody can tell.

The pickled onions want at least a day anyway. Biscuits and bread are the only things I insist on baking the same morning.

A fridge-cold casserole browns on top long before the middle is hot. Cover it with foil for the first half of the bake and pull the foil to finish.

If you are short on oven racks, the slow cooker and the Instant Pot are your extra ovens. I run both every year without apology.

Reheat covered with foil, then pull the foil for the last 10 minutes. That keeps the inside moist and still gets you a crisp top.

How Many Thanksgiving Sides for a Crowd?

My rule is five sides for eight people, and seven sides once you pass twelve. More than that and the plate stops making sense.

Build the number out by category, not by count. Take one potato, one casserole, one vegetable, one bread and one sharp thing.

That last category is the one people forget. Without acid somewhere on the plate, the whole meal reads heavy by the second helping.

For portions, plan on about a half cup of each side per person. That sounds small, but nobody takes a full serving of seven things.

Double the potatoes though. They are the one side that always runs out first, and leftover mash becomes tomorrow’s casserole.

If guests are bringing dishes, assign the categories rather than the recipes. Otherwise you will end up with four potato dishes and no vegetable.

Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes, and When to Break the Rules

Mashed potatoes, gravy and a bread of some kind are the three I never touch. Guests notice when those are missing.

Everything else is fair game. I have swapped green bean casserole for air fryer broccoli for years and nobody has once complained.

Pick the swap that saves you oven space. That is the constraint that actually matters on the day.

Stuffing is the one traditional side I get asked about most. My cornbread casserole covers that same craving and it is far harder to dry out.

Cranberry sauce is the other classic. I reach for quick pickled onions instead, because both do the same job of cutting fat with acid.

Nobody at my table has ever counted the dishes. They notice whether the potatoes were good and whether there was enough gravy.

More Holiday Recipes to Round Out the Menu

If you are still building the menu, these collections will fill the gaps. Start with the mains, then work back to the table.

Thanksgiving recipes for the whole day, from the turkey and gravy to the pies and leftovers.
Pumpkin Dessert Recipes for the end of the meal.
Unique Apple Recipes when you want something other than pie.
Easy Crock Pot Recipes to keep the oven free.
Spatchcock Turkey if you want the bird done in half the time.
Easy Christmas Appetizers for the next holiday on the calendar.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Creamy Slow Cooker Recipe)

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:01:38 +0000

This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is creamy, tangy, and cheesy, and the slow cooker makes the sauce for you. Chicken thighs, ranch, and three cheeses melt into a spicy buffalo sauce that coats penne like a buffalo chicken mac and cheese.

Read on for the 5 common mistakes to avoid, including the pasta timing slip that makes this dinner mushy.

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Ingredients

This crockpot buffalo chicken pasta uses simple ingredients, and most of them probably sit in your fridge already.

Chicken thighs: boneless and skinless, so they turn tender and shred easily.
Frank’s RedHot Original: the buffalo sauce flavor that drives the whole dish.
Ranch dressing: adds creamy tang and mellows the heat, so it reads as a true buffalo ranch chicken pasta.
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Cream cheese: cubed so it melts evenly into the sauce.
Unsalted butter
Blue cheese: crumbled, for that classic buffalo wing flavor.
Sharp cheddar: shredded, so the sauce turns smooth and cheesy.
Penne pasta: 1 lb, cooked in boiling salted water.
Green onions: thinly sliced, to finish each bowl.

Full recipe quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the article.

If you like buffalo flavor in a cold dish, try my Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad. For another easy dump-and-go dinner, my Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a favorite.

Variations and Substitutions

This slow cooker buffalo chicken pasta is easy to adjust to your heat level and your pantry.

Chicken breasts: use boneless, skinless breasts if you prefer, though thighs stay juicier in the slow cooker.
Less heat: start with a little less hot sauce and taste the finished sauce before serving.
No blue cheese: leave it out and add extra cheddar for a milder, creamier pasta.
Different pasta: rigatoni, rotini, or shells all hold the sauce well.
Extra veggies: serve with a side of Kale Caesar Salad or celery sticks for crunch.

Grab These Tools

You only need a few basics to make this crock pot chicken pasta.

Slow cooker: a 3 qt or larger model holds the chicken and sauce.
Two forks: they shred the cooked chicken right in the sauce.
Large pot: for boiling the penne in salted water.
Colander: to drain the pasta before tossing it with the sauce.

How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta: An Easy Guide

This slow cooker pasta comes together in three simple stages: cook the chicken, melt the sauce, and toss with penne.

Slow Cook the Buffalo Chicken

Add the chicken, hot sauce, ranch, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and pepper to a 3 qt or larger slow cooker. Stir well, then top with the cubed cream cheese and butter.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should be very tender.

Shred the Chicken and Melt the Cheese

Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks, and add the cheddar and blue cheese.

Stir until everything melts, so the sauce turns smooth around the tender shredded chicken.

Toss with Penne and Serve

When the cook time is almost up, boil the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain it well.

Toss the sauce with the hot pasta, then sprinkle with the green onions and serve immediately.

5 Mistakes When Making Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Here are the most frequent mix-ups to avoid when making crock pot buffalo chicken pasta:

Cooking the pasta too early. Boil the penne when the slow cooker time is almost up. Pasta that waits in the sauce turns soft, because it keeps absorbing liquid.
Skipping the stir. Stir the cheddar and blue cheese in until the sauce is completely smooth before it meets the pasta.
Leaving the cream cheese in one block. Cubed cream cheese melts evenly, because small pieces soften faster than a whole block.
Boiling pasta in unsalted water. Salted water seasons the penne so the finished dish tastes balanced, not flat.
Waiting to serve. Toss the sauce with hot pasta and serve right away for the creamiest bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Buffalo chicken pasta tastes best fresh, but the sauce and pasta keep well when stored separately.

Storing Leftovers

Fridge: store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Separate storage: keep extra sauce apart from boiled pasta so the penne does not soak up all the sauce.

Freezing

Not my first choice: cream cheese and ranch sauces can separate after freezing. I prefer to enjoy this one within a few days.

Reheating Leftovers

Stovetop: warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often.
Microwave: heat in short bursts and stir between each one until hot.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This creamy buffalo chicken pasta is rich and spicy, so fresh, crunchy sides balance every bite. For more ideas, browse my side dishes for chicken wings.

Toppings and Add-Ins

Extra blue cheese: sprinkle a little more on top for a bolder finish.
Green onions: they add fresh color and a mild bite.
Ranch drizzle: a small drizzle makes the plate look and taste even creamier.
Celery: slice it thin and scatter it on top for crunch.

Side Dishes and Pairings

Salad: a crisp Kale Caesar Salad cuts through the creamy sauce.
Bread: serve with Homemade Garlic Bread or No-Knead Cheesy Garlic Bread Fingers for mopping up sauce.
Game day: add it to my Ultimate Game Day Menu for a hearty main.

Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Pasta

A few small habits make this slow cooker chicken pasta turn out creamy every time.

Choose thighs: boneless, skinless chicken thighs shred into tender strands and stay moist through a long cook.
Melt the cheese first: stir the cheddar and blue cheese into the hot sauce until smooth, then add the pasta.
Time the pasta: boil it near the end of the slow cook so it goes straight from pot to sauce.
Salt the water: well-seasoned pasta keeps the buffalo sauce from tasting flat.
Use any setting: low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours both work. Cook until the chicken is very tender.
Finish fresh: green onions on top add color and a bright bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.

Can I make crock pot buffalo chicken pasta with chicken breasts?

You can make crock pot buffalo chicken pasta with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I prefer thighs because they stay juicier through the long cook. Cook until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily with two forks.

How long does buffalo chicken pasta take in the slow cooker?

Buffalo chicken pasta takes 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high in the slow cooker. The chicken should be very tender before you shred it and stir in the cheeses.

Do I cook the pasta in the slow cooker?

The pasta cooks separately in boiling salted water. Start it when the slow cooker time is almost up. Then toss the drained penne with the sauce and serve right away for the best texture.

What size slow cooker do I need for buffalo chicken pasta?

A 3 qt or larger slow cooker holds the chicken, sauce, cream cheese, and butter. The recipe uses 2 lb of chicken thighs, so a larger crock gives you more room to stir and shred.

Can I make this buffalo chicken pasta less spicy?

You can make this buffalo chicken pasta milder by using a little less hot sauce. Taste the sauce after the cheeses melt, then serve extra ranch on the side if you want to cool things down.

What cheese goes in buffalo chicken pasta?

This buffalo chicken pasta uses cubed cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and crumbled blue cheese. The cheddar and blue cheese melt into the sauce after you shred the chicken, making it creamy and smooth.

What pasta is best for crock pot chicken pasta?

Penne is my choice because the tubes catch the creamy buffalo sauce. Rigatoni, rotini, and shells also hold sauce well. Use 1 lb of pasta and cook it in boiling salted water.

How do I store leftover buffalo chicken pasta?

Store leftover buffalo chicken pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until it is hot throughout.

Other Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta (Creamy Slow Cooker Recipe)

This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta is creamy, tangy, and cheesy, and the slow cooker makes the silky sauce for you. (Easy weeknight dinner!)

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword buffalo chicken crock pot pasta, buffalo chicken pasta, buffalo chicken pasta slow cooker, crock pot buffalo chicken pasta, crock pot buffalo chicken pasta recipe, crockpot buffalo chicken pasta, slow cooker buffalo chicken pasta

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 7

Total Time 7 15

Servings servings

Calories 678kcal

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ cup Frank’s RedHot Original
1 cup ranch dressing
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
8 oz cream cheese cubed
1 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup crumbled blue cheese 2.4 oz
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar 4 oz
1 lb penne pasta
2 tbsp thinly-sliced green onions to serve

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Add the chicken, hot sauce, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper to crockpot (3 qt or larger slow cooker) and stir well. Top with cream cheese and butter. Cover and cook on low 6–7 hours or high 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
Use two forks to shred the chicken. Add the cheddar and blue cheese to the slow cooker sauce and stir until everything melts smooth.
When the cook time is almost up, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions.
Toss the sauce with hot pasta. Sprinkle with the green onions and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Common mistakes: scroll up for the 5 common mistakes to avoid above, including the pasta timing slip that makes this dinner mushy.

Why it works: the cubed cream cheese and butter melt into the ranch and hot sauce, which builds a creamy buffalo sauce.

Doneness: cook until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily with two forks.

Pasta timing: boil the penne when the cook time is almost up, then toss it with the sauce right away.

Heat level: use a little less hot sauce for a milder pasta, and taste the sauce after the cheeses melt.

Swap: boneless, skinless chicken breasts work too, though thighs stay juicier.

Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, with extra sauce kept apart from the pasta.

Reheating: warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until hot.

Nutrition

Hamburger Seasoning: My 4-Ingredient Blend for Juicy Burgers

Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:24:46 +0000

Hamburger Seasoning with just 4 simple pantry ingredients. It couldn’t be easier, and it makes flavorful burgers that are perfectly seasoned and juicy every time.

Hamburger Seasoning Ingredients

You only need 4 simple seasonings for a delicious burger. The trick is to get the ratio and the timing right.

Onion powder: the biggest flavor in the blend, and it carries onion taste without wet chopped onion.
Garlic powder: half the amount of the onion powder, so it supports rather than dominates.
Kosher salt: coarse flakes spread more evenly over a patty than fine table salt.
Black pepper: freshly ground if you have a mill.

There is no sugar in this blend on purpose. A griddle for smash burgers runs past 400°F.

Brown sugar shows up in many burger seasoning mixes you will find online. On a low-temperature smoke that works. On a screaming hot pan it scorches before the patty is cooked.

Full recipe quantities listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the article.

I also use this blend to season steak patties (made of ground beef) for my Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak.

Variations and Substitutions for the Best Burger Seasoning

The four-spice base takes add-ins well without losing what makes it work.

Smoky/spicy: add smoked paprika for color and a little smoke flavo and/or a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat. Avoid chili powder, as the additional salt could make the burgers to salty.
Middle Eastern: my Beef Kafta seasons ground beef with coriander, cumin and cinnamon, if you want that direction.
Other ground meats: the same burger seasoning works on turkey, chicken, pork and lamb. My Turkey Burger is a good place to try it.

Grab These Tools

Almost nothing, which is the point of a homemade blend.

Small bowl: for stirring the spices together evenly.
Measuring spoons: the ratio is the recipe, so measure rather than eyeball.
Small jar with a tight lid: for a scaled-up batch.
Cast iron skillet or griddle: holds heat better than nonstick for a real crust.

How to Make Hamburger Seasoning: An Easy Guide

Mixing the spices takes a minute. Applying them correctly is where the texture of your burger is decided.

Mix the Burger Seasoning

Stir the onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Keep stirring until the color is even throughout.

Break up any clumps of onion powder with the back of the spoon. Clumps land as salty pockets on one bite and nothing on the next.

Form the Patties First

Divide 1 1/2 lb of ground beef into six hamburger patties before any seasoning touches it. Handle the meat as little as you can.

Press a shallow dimple into the center of each one. It keeps the patty from doming as the edges contract.

Season the Outside, Not the Inside

Sprinkle the blend over both faces of the formed burger patties right before they hit the heat. Every bit of it lands where the crust forms.

Here is the reason. Salt dissolves myosin, the main protein in muscle. Once myosin dissolves it sets into a springy gel as it cooks. That gel is what makes a sausage snap. In a burger it reads as bouncy and dense instead of tender.

Cook Hot and Leave It Alone

Get the pan or grill properly hot before the patties go down. Seasoning burgers well does nothing if the surface only steams.

Cook over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the center reaches 160°F. Flip once.

Pressing with a spatula squeezes out the fat that was going to carry all that onion and garlic flavor. Rest the cooked patties for 3 minutes before serving.

Mix a Jar for Later

Scale the four spices up by four or eight and store the batch in a jar. Keep the ratio and it works every time.

5 Mistakes When Seasoning Burgers

Here are the most frequent mix-ups to avoid when making hamburger seasoning:

Mixing salt into the raw beef: this is the big one. It dissolves myosin and gives you a springy, sausage-like patty.
Seasoning too early: salt on a raw patty starts drawing out moisture within minutes. When the surface has moisture, you don’t get browning. Season right before cooking.
Using sugar in the blend: white or brown sugar burns bitter on the high heat a good burger crust needs.
Seasoning only one side: both sides of the patty get a crust, so both need the spice blend.
Using lean beef: 85% lean or fattier. Spices need fat to carry them, and lean beef tastes flat no matter what you add.

Make Ahead and Storage

Dried spices keep well, so a big batch of this seasoning blend saves you measuring on a busy night.

Storing Your Seasoning Mix for Burgers

Airtight container: a small screw-top jar or a spice tin with a tight lid.
Away from the stove: keep it in a cool, dry place, since heat and light dull ground spices fastest.
Label it: write the date on the lid so you know how old the batch is.

Making a Double Batch

Keep the ratio: multiply all four spices by the same number and the blend behaves the same.
Shake before using: salt is heavier than the powders and settles to the bottom.
Portion it out: one batch seasons 1 1/2 lb of ground beef, which is six 4 oz patties.

How Long It Keeps

Six months at full strength: ground garlic and onion fade first.
Still safe after that: dried spices do not spoil, they just get quieter.
Smell test: rub a pinch between your fingers. No onion smell means a new batch.

How to Use Up Your Hamburger Seasoning

The blend is not fussy about what it goes on, and the sides write themselves.

Best Ground Meats for This Burger Seasoning Recipe

Ground beef: 85% lean is the sweet spot. Try it on my Mushroom Burgers with Swiss.
Ground turkey or chicken: turkey burgers and ground chicken burgers are lean, so they need the salt even more. See my Turkey Burger Recipe.
Ground pork or lamb: both take onion and garlic powder well. For pork chops, use my Pork Chop Seasoning instead.
Meatloaf and meatballs: mix it in here, since you want the bound texture. My Meatloaf Seasoning covers that version.
Skillet ground beef: good in Hamburger Casserole and meat sauce.

Side Dishes and Pairings

Baked beans: my Southern Baked Beans with Bacon are a classic summer burger side.
Something cold and sharp: Cucumber Dill Salad cuts the richness.
Burger sauces: Baja sauce, Alabama White Sauce or Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce are a few favs beyond ketchup and mayo.
A whole cookout: pull from my Cookout Appetizers and Summer Grilling Recipes.

Tips for the Best Seasoning for Burgers

Small things that separate good homemade burgers from great ones.

Season heavier than feels right: only the surface is seasoned, so the inside of the patty tastes plain.
Use kosher salt: the flakes are easier to distribute by eye than fine table salt.
Powders beat fresh here: fresh garlic and onion hold water and scorch on a hot surface.
Cold meat, hot pan: a chilled patty holds shape while the surface browns.
Rest the cooked patty: three minutes keeps the juices in the burger instead of the bun.
Taste the blend first: lick a pinch off your finger. Adjust the pepper before it goes anywhere near the beef.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just skimming through? Here are some quick answers to the commonly-asked questions.

What is the best seasoning for burgers?

The best seasoning for burgers is onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper. That four-spice base is what most restaurant burgers use. Everything else is optional. Skip sugar entirely, because it scorches on the high heat a burger crust needs.

Should I mix the seasoning into the ground beef?

Mixing the seasoning into raw ground beef changes the texture. Salt dissolves myosin, which then sets into a springy gel as the patty cooks. Sprinkle the blend on the outside of formed patties instead, unless you want a bound, meatloaf-style patty.

How much burger seasoning do I need for 1 lb of ground beef?

One batch of this blend seasons 1 1/2 lb of ground beef, which is six 4 oz patties. For one pound of ground beef, use about two thirds of the batch. Season both faces of each patty and go a little heavier than feels right.

What is a good seasoning for burgers on the grill?

A good seasoning for burgers on the grill is this same sugar-free blend. Grill grates run hotter than a skillet, so any sugar in the mix will burn before the patty is done. Onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper hold up at grill temperatures.

Can I use this seasoning for burgers on the stovetop?

This seasoning for burgers on the stovetop works the same way it does on a grill. Use cast iron for pan-frying and get it properly hot before the patty goes down. Season both faces right before cooking so the salt has no time to pull out moisture.

How do I season frozen burgers?

Seasoning frozen burgers works best once the surface has thawed enough to feel tacky. Dry spices slide straight off ice. Cook the patty from frozen for a few minutes per side. Season both faces once the outside starts to brown.

Does this work as a seasoning for lamb or pork burgers?

This blend works as a seasoning for lamb burgers and pork burgers without any changes. Onion and garlic powder suit both meats. For lamb, add a little dried herb, like oregano or mint, alongside the blend. It stops the patty tasting plain.

Why is there no paprika or brown sugar in this hamburger seasoning?

Most hamburger seasoning recipes add paprika for color and brown sugar for browning. A burger already browns fast on its own fat at high heat. Sugar burns bitter past 350°F, and paprika adds color without adding much flavor to a patty.

Other Burger Recipes You’ll Love

4-Ingredient Hamburger Seasoning (Best Seasoning for Burgers)

Hamburger Seasoning with just 4 ingredients for perfectly seasoned burgers. I'll tell you exactly when to add it (so burgers stay tender!)

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American

Keyword best seasoning for burgers, burger seasoning, burger seasoning recipe, easy seasoning for burgers, good seasoning for burgers, hamburger seasoning, hamburger seasoning recipe, homemade burger seasoning, seasoning burgers, seasoning for burgers, seasoning for burgers on the grill, seasoning mix for burgers

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Rest 3

Total Time 16

Servings patties

Calories 194kcal

Author Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
1 ⅛ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For Burgers

1 ½ lb ground beef

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a small bowl, stir together the onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper until the color looks even. Break up any clumps with the back of the spoon.
Divide the ground beef into 6 equal patties, handling the meat as little as possible. Press a shallow dimple into the center of each one so the patties don’t dome as they cook.
Heat a grill, griddle or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
Right before cooking, sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the patties. Don’t mix it into the raw beef, which makes the burgers dense and springy.
Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until the center reaches 160°F. Flip only once, and don’t press them with a spatula.
Let the burgers rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Read this first: Scroll up for the common mistakes to avoid, including the one seasoning habit that turns a tender burger dense and springy.

Where this blend comes from: It is the seasoning from my Old Fashioned Salisbury Steak, at the exact same amounts.

Why there is no sugar: Sucrose caramelizes near 320°F and turns bitter above 350°F. A burger griddle runs past 400°F.

Avoid this: Mixing salt into raw beef dissolves myosin and gives a springy, sausage-like patty. Season the outside instead.

Timing: Season right before cooking. Salt starts pulling moisture out of a raw patty within minutes.

Use 85% lean: Spices need fat to carry them, so lean beef tastes flat.

Storage: Keep a scaled-up batch in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place. It stays at full strength for about six months.

Swap: Add smoked paprika for a smoky version, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat.

Nutrition