My 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Casseroles (Works Every Time)

Baked until hot and bubbling and filling a home with an aroma that brings the whole family running to the table, casseroles are the ultimate comfort food. But as good as those cheesy, creamy, and saucy dishes are, there’s one ingredient that you can add to any casserole to really elevate it: fresh herbs.

A sprinkle of fragrant and colorful herbs helps brighten the dish (let’s be honest—casseroles are heavy) and brings everything together in the baking dish.

Why Fresh Herbs Elevate Casseroles

What casseroles have in common is that they come together with a lot of heat. Meats, veggies, and starchy ingredients are often cooked up before they go into the dish, and then it goes into the oven for a lengthy bake.

While the cooking and baking steps meld the ingredients, this process can also mute flavors as ingredients are cooked down in thick and creamy sauces. Casseroles are undoubtedly savory and comforting, but can also be one-note without distinct differences between ingredients.

A sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs changes this; it’s the perfect finishing touch to the baked dish. Added to the top of a casserole once it emerges from the oven, aromatic herbs add brightness, freshness, and a pop of color. It’s a welcome contrast to the baked ingredients.

Choose the Right Herb for Your Casserole

It’s important to add fresh herbs after the baking; if fresh herbs are sprinkled on before the casserole is cooked, they, too, will be muted by the oven’s heat. The type of casserole will determine the herb sprinkled at the end. Here are a few ideas: 

• Church Chicken Casserole: Top this creamy chicken and mushroom casserole with fresh thyme, tarragon, or parsley. 
• Beef Enchilada Casserole: Mexican-inspired casseroles like this one will shine with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or oregano.
• Cheeseburger Casserole: This dish recipe includes dried basil, oregano, and parsley. Echo these flavors by adding the fresh version of one or a combination of the herbs over the top.
• Cheesy Potato Casserole: Minced chives are a delicious pairing with the cheddar cheese and hash browns in this recipe. 
• Marry Me Chicken Casserole: The Italian flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese in this dish are just begging for fresh basil leaves to be showered over the top before serving.