It’s a new year! And it’s cold outside.
Like, brrr. I drove over to Caribou Coffee this morning for a one-shot-of-syrup Ho Ho Mocha (can’t let go, guys, I just can’t) and during my frigid 3-minute drive, all I could think about were the cozy, creamy, comforting foods that need to be a part of my day today. Whathat you say? You’re not the kind of person who thinks about dinner before you’ve even had breakfast? …But I don’t understand.
Any day that you bake dinner all in one pan and carry it proudly out to your table to be gawked at, scooped up, and devoured is a day that you are the food hero.
And my resolution this year was to be a food hero. HOW PERFECT IS THAT.
Ten Cozy Casseroles, Coming Atcha!
#1: HEALTHY MEXICAN CASSEROLE WITH ROASTED CORN AND PEPPERS
This vegetarian, naturally gluten free casserole of Mexican flavor and cheesy goodness has less than 250 calories per serving because it’s loaded with veggies and beans. WIN!
#2: ROASTED TOMATILLO CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
Ohhhh my oh my oh my. Roasted tomatillo chicken enchilada casserole is everything I love about food in a casserole dish and covered with melted cheese. Favorite part: the homemade tomatillo sauce. *emoji with the googly heart eyes*
#3: CREAMY CHICKEN QUINOA AND BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
This baked goodness is the antidote to winter. Partying together up in here we have: generously seasoned chicken, nutty quinoa, crispity delicious bacon, velvety homemade sauce, a sprinkle of Gruyère, and bright green pops of broccoli.
#4: SOUTHWESTERN QUINOA AND BLACK BEAN CASSEROLE
Quinoa again! Another naturally gluten-free and vegetarian dinner packed with Southwestern flavor and begging to be scooped up with chips because hiiii I love chips.
#5: GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE
This has this sort of all-up-in-there casserole kind of a feel to it, with the small pieces of wavy lasagna noodles, chicken, peas, Parmesan, creamy butter garlic sauce, golden breadcrumbs, fresh thyme, etc etc etc. PS. yum yum yum.
#6: CHICKEN ENCHILADA CASEROLE
This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is sososososo delicious. It’s like taking all the goodness of a red saucy chicken enchilada, stacking it up with some refried beans for added awesome points, and baking it under a layer of cheese. It’s also incredibly easy. Five ingredients!
#7: CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE
This is a Bjork request (kind of a remake of retro Forgotten Chicken) except this one features homemade cream of chicken soup, so if you’re craving that creamy, chicken-y taste, this casserole is for you.
#8: HEALTHY MUSHROOM ALFREDO PASTA BAKE
Let’s combine pan-roasted mushrooms with whole wheat pasta with the really defined ridges (mmm texture!) and creamy cauliflower sauce, and then bake it under a blanket of Gruyere cheese with fresh sage ribbons. Purrrr.
#9: BAKED RIGATONI WITH SPINACH, PROVOLONE, & TURKEY
A pasta-lovers casserole! Also, how great is provolone cheese?
#10: CHICKEN WILD RICE CASSEROLE
Essentially what this Wild Rice Deliciousness is all about is a good hearty pile of wild rice cooked in broth and carrots, onions, and celery, then baked with the chicken and homemade creamy sauce, then topped with the cutest little butter-soaked bread cubes. It’s Chicken Wild Rice Soup in casserole form.
There you have it! Ten cozy casseroles that will keep you warm and happy for the rest of the cold days.
And now, I’ll be hibernating for the next three months kthanks bye.
I want to try this healthy mexican casserole so badly!
I need to make and more importantly eat that Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Enchilada Casserole ASAP. Also, I’m glad I’m not alone in my pre-brekky dinner day dreams.
My mom LOVES lasagna, so for Christmas my husband and I made & froze four lasagnas (divided into 2-servings potions) so she can eat them whenever, and the Garlic Chicken Parmesan one is her new favorite. Thanks for such an awesome recipe!
Love that! Thanks Keisha!
Well now, this post is a nice change from all the skinny/smoothie/detox posts circulating today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more of a skinnysmoothiedetox type, but looking at all your comfy casseroles was a great way to start this cold winter day. Happy New Year!
Mmmm these look great! I feel cozy just looking at your pictures 😉 I don’t eat dairy but I’m dying to try some of those veggie ones out with a vegan cheese sauce (cashews and nutritional yeast – sounds weird but is super good!) I’ll let you know how they come out.
xx Kathryn
http://www.throughthethicket.ca
Sounds yummy!
Lindsay, I think you have achieved the (for me) unthinkable: turned me on to casseroles. My mother always looked down on them, but with recipes like these, what’s not to like. Thank you for opening my eyes.
These casseroles all look amazing. Definitely going to have to try a few of these during this long cold winter.
This list is so perfect for right now. With weather going the way it is, we all need a little hot dish in our lives 😉
Also, that healthy mexican casserole is a GODSEND. Healthy makes me happy and mexican makes my husband happy (and full, which is always a miracle).
You’re from Minnesota, and you write about casseroles, not “hot dishes”?!
Oh My Goodness, so, clearly they all look DELICIOUS but #5: GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE…. uh yeah, I think I would just grab a fork and dig in, plate optional. Love all your write-ups btw, they always make me laugh and nod my head:) Have a great New Year!
These casseroles all look really delicious. I know I would enjoy them, but my husband and son don’t eat cheese (gasp!). I may experiment with making a few cheese-less variations. Cream sauces sound like the most obvious route. Wish me luck!
Wow – no cheese! I have an old recipe for Chicken and Rice Casserole – it’s really plain and retro in a way, but super good and it doesn’t have cheese if you need a place to start!
Wow! All of these look amazing. I tried to pick one that’s a favorite but I can see myself making all of these. I think I’m going to explore with quinoa a bit more this year. I’ll definitely let you know how it turns out. Fingers crossed.
I love, love, love a yummy casserole this time of year! These are all amazing!
Ah, Caribou… they closed all of the locations in Ohio. 🙁 Boo. But one-pan casseroles fits into my resolution of keeping a cleaner kitchen (those darn 2 pan + 1 pot + 1 baking dish meals are NOT fun to clean up after). 🙂
No! Major Sad Face!
That mushroom alfredo looks insane!!
Oh. My. God. Some of these will definitely be made in the coming weeks. I may be cooking for one, but you know, LEFTOVERS!!! I’m unable to choose a favourite =)
Great collection! Healthy Mexican casserole caught my eye… 1). I love everything Mexican 2). I am trying to be on diet:)
These all look amazing! Perfect easy and yummy winter dinners!
I love cozy food this time of year. We just came out of a freezing spell and now the rain is back. Numbers 1, 6 and 10 will be made soon.
Cannot wait to try your Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Enchilada Casserole! This post makes me with I had another whole week off to relax and focus on my casserole-building skills… ah. Next weekend. Next weekend.
Our temperatures are sky rocketing and we’ve been indulging in ice creams, popsicles and anything and everything on the grill. But these casseroles are soooo going to happen – who says it has to be winter to enjoy some comfort food?
Stahhhp!
Having just found your site – recommended from my daughter in law – your recipes will be on my list to try. I live here in the UK and today it is -4C so warming food is on the top of my list.
thanks
Eek! Enjoy the warm food! 🙂
Its -36c where I am. I’m good with cozy casseroles!
No no no no noooo!
Casseroles are perfect for winter. They’re so warm and comforting. Great recipes!
Yum!! I will definitely be trying 1 ( and by that I mean all) of these during the upcoming polar vortex!!
P.s love your blog!! I find myself drooling on a daily basis 😉
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that Jillian!