Casseroles are one of my favorite meals in the winter. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor and comforting which is what my family always wants on a cold day.
Waking up on a chilly weekend morning, Phyllis Lawson’s (Austin, TX) Biscuits & Gravy Breakfast Casserole is a favorite. Biscuits and gravy were my beloved breakfast food as a kid. Well, actually, it still is.
“Hearty and perfect for a cold morning,” is how Phyllis explains her tasty recipe. “No one will be left hungry with this one!” This will definitely serve a crowd. So, if you have company or a big family, I’d suggest you try this. Add some fresh fruit and you’ve got an easy breakfast.
Another recipe that makes a lot and is great for a crowd is Raymond Spencer’s (St. Bernard, LA) Roadhouse Burger Casserole. It’s a serious meal.
Crumbled onion rolls serve as the base for this flavor-packed casserole. Then, ground beef, bacon, cheese, and caramelized onions are combined with the onions giving the dish a nice sweet flavor. Then, onion rings are added on top which is fun for presentation. It’s everything you love about a cheeseburger packed into a casserole. De-lish!
“When I want comfort food, I usually make this Chicken and Dumpling Casserole,” says Carla Skies (Greely, KS). “There are so many things about this recipe that takes me back to my childhood.”
Honorary Kitchen Crew Member Debbie Wright (Sulphur, LA) taste-tested this recipe for us and was raving about the dumplings. “The basil in the dumplings is very different and a nice change,” thought Debbie. “The aroma of garlic and onion cooking together is wonderful, then add the basil and… well it just makes your mouth water.” With that kind of review, I quickly added this to my must-make list.
“[I] love to cook from scratch and was in the kitchen wondering what to fix for dinner,” shares Teresa Horn (Memphis, TN). “After doing some major hunting and gathering in the fridge and pantry, this Chicken Penne Pasta Casserole was born.”
Teresa came up with one really tasty recipe. Easy to throw together, it has a really great Italian flavor. When reading the ingredients, the amount of fresh mozzarella may sound like a lot. But trust me, it’s perfect. Just enough ooey gooey goodness.
The Kitchen Crew and I have recently become fans of Victoria Russell’s (Blackwood, NJ) Homemade Chili Casserole. It’s a great alternative to traditional chili.
“I made this for my family one night and they loved it,” says Victoria. “They wanted more.” Layers of homemade chili, with cheddar cheese inside and topped with cornbread… this is winter comfort food all the way.
Casseroles are great because they feed a crowd, but sometimes it’s just me and my hubby for dinner. That’s when I turn to Lonna Weidemann (Helena, MT) and her Ranch Chicken and Potatoes Casserole for 2. It’s easy to prepare and comes together in a snap. If you are cooking for a bigger crowd and want to make this, you can easily double the recipe.
The key thing with casseroles is they are easy. Which we all know are must-have recipes for a hectic life. What’s your go-to casserole? Make sure to share it and happy Pinching!