Fall signifies the return of comfort food, and casseroles are leading the charge. These vibrant, flavorful, and often cheesy dishes are best enjoyed on chilly days, emerging from the oven with a golden crust that is nothing short of perfect. The beauty of many casseroles is their ability to be prepped ahead of time and merely reheated or baked as mealtime approaches. We've brought together our top picks with autumnal elements for your convenience.

Imagine combining beer-braised brisket and caramelized brussels sprouts with a creamy mushroom bechamel sauce. Top with potato tots tossed in a luxurious Parmesan and truffle oil, then bake to create an irresistible dish. This casserole can be partially prepared a day before.

Renowned cookbook author Molly Stevens suggests a flavorful French-inspired casserole. This recipe includes boneless chicken thighs, smoked sausage, and hearty white beans that can be fully assembled and refrigerated the day before for easy baking.

For a rich and garlicky casserole, explore fennel bulbs submerged in a creamy garlic sauce, generously topped with Parmesan. This dish can alternatively be baked a day prior and then browned to perfection before serving.

Hen-of-the-woods mushrooms coated with Panko crumbs replace traditional eggplant in this cheesy/tomato-infused casserole. Make the sauce a day in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container.

Swiss influences how we re-imagine a classic dish with Gruyère and Raclette. Contrasting the creamy richness are quickly pickled shallots in apple cider vinegar for an enjoyable blend of flavors.

Rejuvenate the classic creamy layered potatoes with a combination of rutabaga and celery root, providing an earthy taste with a subtly sweet undertone. Prepare and refrigerate this nuanced dish a day prior for a seamless dinner experience.

TV personality, Ina Garten, recommends a deliciously straightforward three-cheese baked pasta with sautéed cauliflower, sage, capers, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes that can be prepped the day before.

Swirls of sweet potato puree embellished with a sweet and crunchy pecan-cornflake topping bring an authentic touch of southern comfort. You can bake it up to four hours in advance and serve it warm or at room temperature.

Take inspiration from cookbook author Melissa Clark and her reinvented mashed potato casserole. Enhance the traditional dish with a delightful crème fraîche, butter, parsley, sage, and a crispy cheesy breadcrumb topping. This exceptional combination can be prepped and refrigerated a day before.

Melissa Rubel Jacobson, former F&W editor, whips up a casserole with short pasta, Fontina, and a substantial helping of mushrooms sautéed in butter all blended in a dried porcini mushroom roux, that can be reheated to serve the next day.

Los Angeles chef, Julie Robles takes inspiration from holiday flavors and crafts a vegetarian-friendly gratin topped with candied pepitas. Our version of this can be prepared as a large dish, refrigerated, and baked as needed.

Relish this lasagna filled with canned pumpkin puree, Swiss chard, sage, nutmeg, and two types of cheese that can be prepared a day in advance.

Alabama’s own Robert Rausch suggests a homestyle casserole with a buttery Ritz cracker topping and wild mushrooms replacing conventional canned mushroom soup which can be baked in advance and then reheated.

Wild mushrooms blend with spinach and cream before getting baked under layers of precooked polenta for a welcoming casserole, ready to be refrigerated overnight unbaked.

And finally, a breakfast-themed casserole mimicking French toast with maple syrup and sausage and a custard base enriched with melted ice cream that can be refrigerated up to six hours before serving.