Memorial Day Recipes You Can Make in Your 9x13 Dish

baked macaroni and cheese in glass casserole dish
Photo: Anne Jordan

Before you fire up the grill and pull out your trusty salad bowl this Memorial Day, consider giving your 9x13 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 9x13–friendly recipes for Memorial Day and the summer ahead.

01 of 15

No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake

No-Bake Cheesecake Flag Cake

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.

02 of 15

Three-Cheese Cauliflower Casserole

Three-Cheese Cauliflower Casserole on a white plate
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.

03 of 15

Ali's Potato Casserole

Ali's Potato Casserole in a white dish
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.

04 of 15

Magic Cookie Bars

Magic Cookie Bars in a metal dish
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.

05 of 15

Seven Layer Dip

Seven Layer Dip II
Seven Layer Dip II. 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.

06 of 15

Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding IV in a glass dish
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.

07 of 15

Homemade Mac and Cheese

baked macaroni and cheese in glass casserole dish
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.

08 of 15

Squash Casserole with Cream of Chicken Soup

a white plate topped with a casserole of yellow squash and croutons
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.

09 of 15

Creamy Cornbread Casserole

cornbread casserole cut into slices in a stack of three
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.

10 of 15

Old Southern Chocolate Pecan Sheet Cake

Old Southern Chocolate Pecan Sheet Cake
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.

11 of 15

Best Ever Pina Colada Cake

Best Ever Pina Colada Cake in a glass dish
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.

12 of 15

Texas-Style Baked Beans

close up of Texas-Style Baked Beans
Christina

These beans might just steal the show at your next cookout. Barbecue sauce, molasses, and beer, plus bacon and fresh jalapeños make this side smoky, sweet, and spicy. The best part of baking in your casserole dish? Serving right from the pan.

13 of 15

Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders

Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
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.

14 of 15

Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler
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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