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Before you fire up the grill and pull out your trusty salad bowl this Memorial Day, consider giving your 9×13 casserole or baking dish some love. While typically associated with cold-weather comfort fare, this vessel is just as versatile for summer cookouts. Use it for crowd-sized desserts like cakes and cookie bars, assemble layered dips, or make casseroles from a bounty of summer produce. Another bonus? Your casserole dish is made for transport and serving so you can skip the many transfers in and out of containers. Check out these 9×13?friendly recipes for Memorial Day and the summer ahead.
No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake
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Photo by
The stars and stripes never looked so adorable (or tasted so delicious)! The casserole dish is just the right vessel for the graham cracker crust, light and fluffy cheesecake filling, and berry topping. Chill a day or two ahead, then wow your cookout crowd on Memorial Day.
Three-Cheese Cauliflower Casserole
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Photo by Yoly
Low-carb guests at your cookout will love this cauliflower alternative to mac and cheese or scalloped potatoes. Cream cheese, Cheddar, and Parmesan make up the trio here. Because the cauliflower is steamed first, the casserole bakes in just 20 minutes.
Ali's Potato Casserole
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Photo by ReneePaj
Potato salad isn't the only spud-themed cookout side in town. This creamy, cheesy casserole uses frozen shredded potatoes, melty Velveeta, and sour cream. While rich enough for colder months, you can also enjoy it with lighter grilled summer mains.
Magic Cookie Bars
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Photo by Greg Dawson
We don't know how these cookie bars got their "magic" name, but it's definitely well-deserved. A gooey filling of coconut, walnuts, and chocolate chips adds so much flavor and texture. The casserole dish makes the bars easy to assemble, slice, and transport.
Seven Layer Dip
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Photo by Allrecipes Magazine
You know it's going to be a party when someone brings the seven layer dip. A large casserole dish allows plenty of room for layers of refried beans, salsa, veggies, guacamole, and cheese. "I wouldn't change anything with this recipe," says reviewer Man'D.
Banana Pudding
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Photo by foodie@heart
Banana pudding just isn't complete without layers of vanilla wafers and billowy whipped topping. Follow the recipe and assemble in a large baking dish or layer in a trifle or large glass serving bowl. Be sure to keep chilled until you're ready to serve.
Homemade Mac and Cheese
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Photo by Anne Jordan
This macaroni recipe keeps the comfort food dish classic with elbow pasta, a Cheddar and Parmesan cheese combo, and a buttery bread crumb topping.
Squash Casserole with Cream of Chicken Soup
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Photo by KGora
Your bounty of summer squash just met its match. This classic casserole uses 1 1/2 pounds of the vegetable, plus sour cream for richness and seasoned stuffing mix as the crunchy topper. Assemble, bake, and serve right from your casserole dish.
Creamy Cornbread Casserole
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Photo by FoodFan
Part cornbread, part creamy casserole, this bake has it all. Here, Cheddar cheese balances the sweetness of creamed corn and the cornbread mix. It's delicious warm or cold and is ideal for making ahead — just what we want in a cookout side.
Old Southern Chocolate Pecan Sheet Cake
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Photo by Kaylea Burkhart
The depth and surface area of a large casserole dish make it perfect for a sheet cake to feed a crowd. It's even better for this Texas-inspired version as the runny icing won't spill out onto your counter. "I no longer shall rely on boxes," says lilybean.
Best Ever Pina Colada Cake
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Photo by SunnyDaysNora
Pina colada and poke cake collide in this dreamy dessert. The large baking dish gives you more surface area to poke the cake and let the creamy coconut mixture seep through. "One of the best cakes I've ever made!" says reviewer Leah Hudgins.
Texas-Style Baked Beans
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Photo by Christina
These beans might just steal the show at your next cookout. Barbecue sauce, molasses, and beer, plus bacon and fresh jalape?os make this side smoky, sweet, and spicy. The best part of baking in your casserole dish? Serving right from the pan.
Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
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Photo by Molly
These sliders are perfect picnic or potluck fare when you don't want to fire up the grill. The casserole dish keeps any cheese spills from burning and retains just enough steam to soften the rolls. Extras are delicious cold or quickly reheated in the microwave.
Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler
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Photo by Yoly
Ripe summer peaches beg to be baked in a cobbler. This recipe, with nearly 4,000 5-star reviews, is the best way to celebrate them. Use your large casserole dish for baking and serving. Don't forget the vanilla ice cream!
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