Alabama: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
The pecan is the official state nut of Alabama. Adding these little nuts to a sweet potato casserole gives this side dish an extra-special touch, especially at Thanksgiving.
Alaska: Elegant Smoked Salmon Strata
With a shoreline of more than 6,600 miles, it’s no surprise that Alaska harvests some of the best salmon. Wild Alaskan salmon is popular throughout the United States and can be enjoyed in many ways. In honor of this superior fish, we chose a salmon egg bake as the unofficial state casserole.
Arizona: Chicken Chile Relleno Casserole
With Arizona sitting on the Mexican-American border, much of its cuisine is inspired by our neighbors to the south. Chiles rellenos are a traditional dish of stuffed poblano peppers. We say it can only be improved by turning it into a casserole.
If you love stuffed peppers, here are 30+ ways to enjoy them.
Arkansas: Creamy Turkey Casserole
Rice is Arkansas’ top export and the official state grain. About half of U.S. rice production is done in Arkansas, and America’s Rice Capital is located in the city of Stuttgart. Rice is a common ingredient in many casseroles, like this creamy turkey supper.
California: Chicken Amandine
California is the sole producer of almonds, walnuts and pistachios in the United States. You might say it’s a pretty nutty place! “Amandine” refers to an almond garnish, which this creamy chicken casserole definitely has.
Colorado: Greek Pasta Bake
Colorado has the third highest lamb population in the States and is known for its high-quality meat. Many out-of-state restaurants import Colorado lamb because it’s thought to be the best. So a Centennial State casserole has to use lamb somehow. What better way than in a Greek-style bake?
Connecticut: Cheese & Crab Brunch Bake
If you live in Connecticut, then you’re not far from a good supply of crabmeat. That’s why a Connecticut state casserole has to be made with crab. This fun egg bake would fit right in at an East Coast brunch.
Delaware: Crab-Spinach Egg Casserole
Seafood is in abundant supply in Delaware, so a crab casserole is appropriate for this coastal state. This colorful brunch bake is elegant enough to serve on a holiday.
Florida: Orange Marmalade Breakfast Bake
The Sunshine State’s official state fruit is…the ORANGE! Florida produces the majority of citrus grown in the U.S., so an orange-y French toast casserole fits this state perfectly. Linger over this breakfast before stretching out on the beach.
Psst: You know you’re from the South if you’ve tried all these foods.
Georgia: Easy Cheesy Loaded Grits
Grits, which are made from corn, are found in a lot of Southern cooking. They are Georgia’s official prepared food (yes, that title does exist), which can be enjoyed morning, noon or night. Our cheesy grits casserole is a breakfast treat!
Hawaii: Scalloped Pineapple Casserole
Hawaii’s famous for its once-booming pineapple industry, and we still fondly associate the spiky fruit with the Aloha State. This pineapple casserole is a well-loved potluck side dish that will make everyone dream of Hawaii.
Idaho: Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole
Where do potatoes come from? Idaho, of course! Idaho has ideal environmental conditions for growing spuds, which is why so many of them come from this state. There are endless ways to eat a potato, but one of our favorites is a twice baked potato casserole.
Illinois: Tater Tot Casseroles
The Midwest is known for cold winters, which is why cozy casseroles are so popular there. All-in-one meals like this Tater Tot casserole are just the thing to keep people keep warm during a blustery Chicago winter.
Indiana: Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
Did you know the first corn dog was made in Indiana? We pay homage with a chili cheese dog casserole. If you like it on a stick at the state fair, just wait until you have it in a casserole.
Iowa: Scalloped Sweet Corn Casserole
The Hawkeye State has a well-suited climate for growing corn, which is why it’s their leading crop. In fact, Iowa corn farmers produced more than 2 billion bushels of corn in 2017. Holy smokes! There’s no denying Iowa’s state casserole has to be a corn casserole.
Kansas: Cabbage Roll Casserole
Kansas is known for its bierocks: mini meat pies stuffed with ground beef and cabbage, which were invented by German immigrants. If we unstuffed the bierock and put it into a 13×9 pan, we’d get something like this cabbage roll casserole.
And just in case you’re curious about the original, here’s a bierocks recipe.
Kentucky: Coconut-Bourbon Sweet Potatoes
Calling all bourbon lovers! Bourbon was born in Kentucky and production continues to thrive in this state. Adding half a cup to an already Southern dish makes these sweet potatoes a good representation of the Bluegrass State.
Louisiana: Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake
No explanation needed here. Cajun food is synonymous with Louisiana cooking.
Maine: Shrimp & Crab Casserole
Maine is known for its lobsters, but unfortunately we don’t have any lobster casseroles! Other seafood is abundant in the state, too, so we choose a casserole with not one but TWO kinds of shellfish.
Maryland: Chesapeake Crab Dip
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay is home to the mighty blue crab. Stop in at any crab shack for a bite. Our Chesapeake crab dip represents this state in a casserole-like way.
Massachusetts: Best-Ever Beans and Sausage
Massachusetts’ biggest city, Boston, is known as Beantown because of its famous baked beans. Here we have a wicked-good bean casserole that’s always devoured at potlucks.
Michigan: Hometown Pasty Pies
Pasties are an iconic Michigan dish. They are mini hand pies traditionally stuffed with beef, potato, onion and rutabagas. This pasty pie isn’t technically a casserole, but we think it’s close enough.
Minnesota: Chicken and Wild Rice Bake
Minnesota is the queen of the hotdish: a casserole that’s usually made with a starch, meat, veggies and a can of soup. This chicken and wild rice bake is typical Midwestern comfort food.
Mississippi: Cornbread Casserole
Mississippians love their cornbread, which is common at many Southern meals. This cornbread casserole is easy to serve a large group.
Missouri: Peanut Butter French Toast
Peanut butter has roots in the state of Missouri: The peanut butter machine was introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Today, we put peanut butter on and in almost anything, including a French toast casserole.
Montana: Hearty Chickpea Potpie
Montana is the third largest producer of garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. We enjoy them in this hearty potpie.
Nebraska: Scalloped Corn
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s mascot is the Cornhusker, which suggests that corn is a pretty big deal in those parts. Bring a corn casserole, and it will be demolished almost immediately.
Nevada: Brunch Hash & Egg Bake
You can’t think of Nevada without thinking of Las Vegas casinos and their all-you-can-eat buffets. This breakfast casserole combines those things you’d find at the breakfast buffet into an all-in-one meal.
New Hampshire: Spiced Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Pumpkin is the official state fruit of New Hampshire (yes, pumpkin is a fruit!). Add it to French toast, and you have a super cozy fall breakfast.
New Jersey: Pasta Fagioli al Forno
New Jersey is home to many Italian-Americans. Sunday dinner with the relatives is a cherished tradition that centers around food and family. Here’s what to bring next week.
Check out these other Sunday dinner favorites, just like Mom used to make.
New Mexico: Mexican Egg Casserole
This choice is self-explanatory. Substitute Hatch chilies for the green ones when they’re in season!
New York: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Buffalo sauce is not derived from buffalos, the big mammals of the West. Rather, it originated in Buffalo, New York.
North Carolina: Creamy Sweet Potatoes
The sweet potato has been North Carolina’s official state vegetable since 1995. You don’t need to wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy this creamy sweet potato casserole.
North Dakota: Church Supper Spaghetti
North Dakotans are big on church suppers and fellowship dinners. We think our potluck-ready spaghetti would be a big hit with that crowd.
These potluck favorites are right at home in the fellowship hall.
Ohio: Herbed Harvest Vegetable Casserole
The tomato is Ohio’s official state fruit. It looks beautiful in this tomato and vegetable bake.
Oklahoma: Cheese Grits & Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Did you know Oklahoma has an official state MEAL? It consists of fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, squash, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, black-eyed peas, strawberries, chicken fried steak and pecan pie. I’m stuffed just thinking about it!
Oregon: Wild Rice Mushroom Bake
Only two states have designated a state mushroom: Oregon and Minnesota. Oregon’s is the Pacific golden chanterelle, which is lovely in this side dish.
Pennsylvania: Philly Beef 'n' Pepper Strata
When we think of famous foods from Pennsylvania, Philly Cheesesteak immediately comes to mind. This casserole is inspired by the well-known sandwich.
Rhode Island: Mini Ham & Cheese Quiches
The smallest casserole for the smallest state seems appropriate.
South Carolina: Oven-Baked Shrimp & Grits
Shrimp and grits are on iconic Southern dish, especially in South Carolina.
South Dakota: Chicken Tater Bake
Casseroles are big all over South Dakota. We know this Tot bake will be a big hit there.
Tennessee: Crouton Tomato Casserole
Like Ohio, the official state fruit of Tennessee is the tomato. It’s the star of this baked side dish.
Here’s how to use your tomatoes when you have a bumper crop.
Texas: Southwestern Casserole
This casserole captures the Southwest flavors and ingredients you find in Texas.
Utah: Funeral Potatoes
Nicknamed “funeral potatoes” because of where they’re often served, early versions of cheesy potato casseroles were found in old LDS cookbooks.
Vermont: Maple French Toast Bake
It comes as no surprise that Vermont is the U.S.’ biggest producer of maple syrup. They churn out about 500,000 gallons a year!
Virginia: Ham & Veggie Casserole
Virginia ham is a popular commodity, particularly the Smithfield ham. One of the best parts about making a ham for the holidays is using the leftovers in a tasty casserole the next day.
Washington: Apple Pan Goody
Washington grows almost half of the apples in the U.S., so it’s no wonder the state deemed it as the official state fruit.
West Virginia: Pizza Noodle Bake
The pepperoni roll is a famous food from West Virginia, and we can thank coal miners for that. You see, they needed something portable to bring for lunch while working in the mines. Enter the pepperoni roll: a handheld sandwich stuffed with pepperoni.
Here are 16 foods singer Loretta Lynn, the coal miner’s daughter, loves.
Wisconsin: Baked Three-Cheese Macaroni
Wisconsin is known for many things, including cheese, brats, beer and kringle, so it was hard to choose a casserole that encompassed all that this state has to offer (we’re a little biased since the Taste of Home offices are located in Milwaukee!).
Wyoming: Chili Mac Casserole
After a long day working on the farm, Wyoming ranchers need to refuel with a hearty dinner. This casserole is packed with beef and beans, and will satisfy a hungry cowboy.
The post 50 Casseroles for the 50 United States appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Racette Parulski