There’s only one hard-and-fast rule in casserole land: Don’t call it a “hotdish” unless you’re from the Midwest. Okay, that’s a joke. Sort of.
But seriously, the rule is this: a casserole must be served directly from the dish it was baked in. No transferring to a fancy serving platter. That defeats the entire purpose of a one-dish meal. Embrace the rustic, honest look of the baking dish on your table.
It’s not lazy—it’s tradition. And it saves you from washing extra dishes, which is the real victory.