55 Easy Labor Day Recipes Made in a 13×9 Pan
Updated: Jul. 15, 2024
Take the labor out of Labor Day (we had to!) with these recipes for your 13x9 pan. The festive possibilities range from barbecue chicken and brisket to side salads and sweet treats. Send summer off with a bang!
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Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I’ve written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
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Pulled Brisket Sandwiches
Don’t let the number of ingredients in this brisket sandwich recipe scare you; you probably have most of them in your pantry already. The sauce is what makes this dish so special. It’s hard not to like ketchup, brown sugar and a little butter drizzled over tender beef brisket. —Jane Guilbeau, New Orleans, Louisiana
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S’mores Brownies
My family simply adores my daughter’s fudgy s’mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s’mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake
I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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French-Fry Bake
When a friend brought this to a gathering at church, I simply had to ask for the recipe—what a fast and fun way to serve potatoes! It's always good to find a recipe that can sneak in a few extra veggies; the kids never find the carrots hidden inside this one. —Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, Iowa
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Hot Bacon Cheese Dip
This crowd-pleasing cheesy bacon dip won't last long on your appetizer table. Best served hot with tortilla chips or toasted French bread, this dip is versatile and filling.
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Blueberry Dump Cake
When I need a quick dessert, this is the recipe I reach for most of the time. I usually have the ingredients on hand so I can whip it together in just a few minutes. —Rashanda Cobbins, Taste of Home Food Editor
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Cauliflower Parmesan Casserole
A lighter version of a classic white sauce coats the cauliflower in this dish that’s perfect for a potluck buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Luscious Lime Angel Squares
A creamy lime topping turns angel food cake into these yummy squares that are perfect for potlucks or picnics. “You can eat a piece of this light and airy dessert without feeling one bit guilty,” notes Beverly Marshall of Orting, Washington. “I adapted this luscious treat from another recipe. It is super-easy to make.”
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Crumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese
Everyone loves this grown-up macaroni and cheese. It's also tasty with sharp cheddar and cream cheese instead of Gruyere and mascarpone. Throw in some crispy bacon for a twist. —Jennifer Standing, Taos, New Mexico
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Caribbean Chipotle Pork Sliders
Our favorite pulled pork sliders combine the heat of chipotle peppers with a cool tropical coleslaw. The robust flavors make these a big hit with guests. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida
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Pina Colada Icebox Cake
This icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
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Grandma's Spinach Salad
With all its fresh ingredients, this pretty spinach salad was my grandma’s favorite. Even my little ones like it (but don’t tell them spinach is good for them)! —Shelley Riebel, Armada, Michigan
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Plum-Glazed Country Ribs
When planning to make ribs one day, I remembered that a friend had given me homemade plum jelly. I stirred some into the sauce for a pleasant fruity accent. —Ila Mae Alderman, Galax, Virginia
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Ground Beef Taco Dip
What’s a football party without taco dip? This version made with spicy ground beef and fresh toppings does not disappoint the die-hards. It is full of classic flavors and is a little extra filling for game day appetites. —Errika Perry, Green Bay, WI
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Eddie's Favorite Fiesta Corn
When sweet corn is available, I love making this splurge of a side dish. Frozen corn works, but taste as you go and add sugar if needed. —Anthony Bolton, Bellevue, Nebraska
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Delicious Ice Cream Dessert
We appreciate a cool, creamy Labor Day dessert like this in summer. It stays fresh in the freezer for one week. Top with the fudgy sauce before serving. — Mrs. Earl Brewer, Jackson, Mississippi
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Overnight Layered Lettuce Salad
This layered salad is a family favorite from a church cookbook I've had for 40 years. The bacon adds a fabulous crunch. —Mary Brehm, Cape Coral, Florida
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Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
This bacon cheeseburger casserole has it all: ground beef, bacon, onions and cheese, all baked up in your trusty 13×9 pan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Upside-Down Strawberry Shortcake
For a tasty twist, this special shortcake has a berry layer on the bottom. The tempting strawberry upside-down cake is a sweet that our family has savored for years. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri
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Teriyaki Meatballs
This appetizer of teriyaki pineapple meatballs changed so many times due to my family’s suggestions that it eventually became a main course. I think the homemade sauce sets these meatballs apart. —Evette Nowicki, Oak Harbor, Washington
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Corn Pudding
This sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.
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Delicious Oven Barbecued Chicken
A friend made this saucy chicken for us when we had our first child. I pared down the recipe to make it lower in fat and calories. Now it's a family favorite, and even the kids ask for this baked bbq chicken breast. —Marge Wagner, Roselle, Illinois
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Loaded Red Potato Casserole
This potato casserole has the same flavor of the potato skins you can order as a restaurant appetizer. It's an ideal dish for tailgating and potlucks. —Charlane Gathy, Lexington, Kentucky
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Rhubarb Custard Bars
Once I tried these rich, gooey bars, I just had to have the recipe so I could make them for my family and friends. The shortbread-like crust and the rhubarb and custard layers inspire people to find rhubarb that they can use to fix a batch for themselves. —Shari Roach, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Zucchini Pizza Casserole
A hearty tomato-meat sauce, garden-fresh zucchini and oodles of cheese make this zucchini pizza casserole the ultimate family-friendly dinner recipe.
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Glazed Chicken Wings
I received this easy wing recipe from a cousin on Vancouver Island during a visit there a few years ago. They're an appealing appetizer, but also a favorite for Sunday lunch with rice and a salad. —Joan Airey, Rivers, Manitoba
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Chili Mac Casserole
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
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Bake-Sale Lemon Bars
The recipe for these tangy lemon bars comes from my cousin, who is famous for cooking up farm feasts. —Mildred Keller, Rockford, Illinois
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Burrito Bake
This burrito casserole recipe is bound to make everyone happy. Satisfy your weeknight dinner cravings with our delectable Burrito Casserole, a dish that's not only quick and easy to prepare but also packed with mouthwatering flavors.
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Can't Leave Alone Bars
I take these quick and easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. I often make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home. —Kimberly Biel, Java, South Dakota
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Best Ever Beans and Sausage
When my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
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New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp
We have family members who attended college in New Orleans. This shrimp captures their favorite flavors from the Big Easy, with the right touches of spice and heat. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
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Sausage Mushroom Appetizers
These stuffed mushrooms are can't-stop-eating-them good. For variations, I sometimes substitute venison or crabmeat for the pork sausage in the stuffing. —Sheryl Siemonsma, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Potluck Taco Casserole
This is the dish I most often take to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio
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Pretzel Gelatin Dessert
This is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois
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Parmesan Asparagus
Nothing could be more simple than this Labor Day side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Crowd-Pleasing Party Meatballs
We served this scrumptious dish at our wedding. It went over so well that it’s been served at other weddings and family functions, and the requests keep coming! —Stefany Blevins, Portsmouth, Ohio
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French Fry Casserole
Kids love this casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just a few ingredients and little prep time. It's a win-win for all! —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
I love peanut butter and chocolate, so I combined recipes to blend the two. This chocolate peanut butter cake is heavenly served plain or topped with ice cream. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
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12-Hour Salad
This recipe was Mom's scrumptious scheme to get her kids to eat vegetables. She never had any trouble when she served this colorful crunchy salad. Mom thought this salad was a real bonus for the cook since it must be made the night before. —Dorothy Bowen, Thomasville, North Carolina
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Meatballs Sausage Dinner
One day I was having trouble deciding what to make for dinner, so I combined whatever was in the refrigerator and freezer. To my surprise, everyone loved it! —Elizabeth Martz, Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania
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Haystack Supper
Served as the main dish at our family reunion buffet, this flavorful layered taco-style dish was a true crowd-pleaser. Folks were pleasantly surprised to find a rice layer, and everyone enjoys the creamy cheese sauce. —Jill Steiner, Hancock, Minnesota
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Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars
If you're looking for a fun snack for kids, try this chewy peanut butter popcorn recipe that have a mild peanut butter taste. They're easy to mix and can be pressed into a pan to form bars, or shaped into balls. —Kathy Oswald, Wauzeka, Wisconsin
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Creamy Hash Brown Casserole
This versatile side dish is so good with grilled steak, and is delicious with other meats as well. A creamy cheese sauce and crunchy topping make this potato casserole popular for family dinners and potlucks. —Teresa Stutzman, Adair, Oklahoma
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Baked Beef Tacos
Upgrade your usual Tuesday night taco with this clever (and tasty!) oven baked tacos recipe.
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Chili Cornbread Salad
A co-worker brought this wonderful dish to a potluck several years ago. She had copies of the recipe next to the pan. Now I make it for get-togethers and also supply copies of the recipe. I never have any leftover salad or recipes. —Kelly Newsom, Jenks, Oklahoma
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Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Bake
Huge on flavor and not too big in terms of hand-on effort, this bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is a meal the chef and the diners alike will always agree on.
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Apple Cranberry Slab Pie
My husband loves pie, so I made one with apples, raspberries and cranberries. It’s so good, I bend the rules and let the grandkids have it for breakfast. —Brenda Smith, Curran, Michigan
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Mexican Chicken Wings
I make these spicy appetizers for parties and football games and never have any leftovers. The hot wings contrast nicely with the cool but zippy dip. When the wings run out, we use the extra cilantro dip on tortilla chips. —Barbara McConaughey, Houlton, Wisconsin
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Baked Parmesan Broccoli
I began making this creamy side dish years ago as a way to get my kids to eat broccoli. They have since grown up but still request this satisfying casserole. It's truly a family favorite. —Barbara Uhl, Wesley Chapel, Florida
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Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken
Prep once and feed the family twice with this comforting, hearty macaroni and cheese with chicken. Pro tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for another time.
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Broccoli Potato Supreme
My family insists that this two-in-one casserole makes an appearance at all of our special meals. Every bite is doubly delicious! —Jane Birch, Edison, New Jersey
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Frito Pie
Crunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
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