4 Delicious Winter Casseroles to Try Making at Home

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The cold always makes us feel lethargic. As much as we want to cook like usual, it is difficult. This is why winter casseroles make for a good hack when cooking in large amounts, whether for the entire family or if you want to have food for days.

Mix some pasta, cheese, sauce, and ground beef in the oven, and you’re good to go. Sounds easy, right? Let’s get right on with these four baked dinner ideas you can try at home!

Pizza Casserole

Turn your favorite pizza into delicious Italian casserole recipes. Ok, this one isn’t exactly like a pizza—but it has most of the same components without as much preparation.

If you’re looking for something more on the guilty pleasure side (or that your kids will love), this is a good one to try out.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of spiral pasta (uncooked)
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1/2 pound of pork sausage
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 jar of pasta sauce
• 1 can of pizza sauce
• 1 teaspoon of brown sugar
• 2 cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 1 package of sliced pepperoni
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan

Steps:

Start by preheating your oven to 350. Cook your pasta al dente and drain the extra water. Next, take out a Dutch oven and crumble your ground beef and sausage into it with onion and pepper.

Cook it all over medium-high heat until the meat is cooked through and the veggies are tender. Drain the dish and stir in your pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and brown sugar. 

Bring everything to a boil before turning the heat down and simmering it uncovered for 10 minutes.

Stir occasionally and when the time is up, add your pasta in as well. Afterward, move everything over to a greased casserole dish and top it with mozzarella and pepperoni.

Add Parmesan and bake it uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. When the cheese is brown, take it out and enjoy!

Chicken and Swiss Winter Casseroles

Sometimes, you want a casserole dish that will satisfy the whole family while providing an unexpected flavor combination.

For those situations, this chicken and Swiss casserole is the way to go. Although everyone will be familiar with its ingredients, the taste they make when combined is something you’ll return to again and again.

Ingredients:

• 5 and 1/2 cups of uncooked egg noodles
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 chopped shallots
• 3 small minced garlic cloves
• 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 5 cups of rotisserie chicken (cubed or shredded)
• 1 and 1/2 cups of frozen peas
• 2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese
• 3/4 cup of breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter

Steps:

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Cook your egg noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain them when they’re done.

Next, get out a skillet and heat some oil on medium, adding your shallots and garlic. 

Cook those for about 45 seconds before adding your flour, cooking and stirring everything for a minute. Add your broth, milk, thyme, lemon peel, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. After that, add your chicken and peas and heat everything through. 

Stir in your noodles and cheese before transferring everything to a greased baking dish. Mix your bread crumbs and butter in another side bowl and sprinkle them on top. Bake the whole thing for eight to 10 minutes and serve!

Baked Spaghetti

If you’re looking for large group casseroles, go for an easy one like this baked spaghetti.

Although spaghetti can be a simple meal to throw together when we’re feeling a little lazy, there are still ways to make it a little bit more exciting than we’re used to.

This baked spaghetti casserole is sure to do the trick when you want to take boring spaghetti up a notch. Here’s what you do:

Ingredients:

• 1 package of spaghetti
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 jar of meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan
• 5 tablespoons of melted butter
• 2 cups of cottage cheese
• 4 cups of part-skim shredded mozzarella

Steps:

Start by cooking your spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. In a skillet, cook your beef and onion over medium heat.

Drain the pan and add your spaghetti sauce and salt when all the pink is cooked out. Set that aside while whisking eggs, Parmesan and butter in another bowl. 

Drain the spaghetti and add the noodles to the egg mixture, tossing it so they’re coated. After that, put half of the spaghetti mix in a greased casserole dish. 

Top it with half of your cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella. Repeat these layers before covering the dish and baking at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

When that time’s up, take the cover off and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes before serving!

Ham and Veggie Casserole

If this list is any indication, the best casserole dishes are often the simplest ones.

Fitting in that mold, this ham and veggie casserole is a simple dish you can put together any time that will always taste delicious. I know we’re talking about winter, but this is also an excellent addition to your fall casserole recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of frozen broccoli
• 1 package of frozen cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons butter (plus extra)
• 1/4 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups of milk
• 3/4 cup of shredded sharp cheddar
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan
• 1 and 1/2 cups of cooked ham, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Steps:

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Cook your broccoli and cauliflower according to the package, draining them when you’re done. Get out a skillet and melt two teaspoons of butter. 

Add your bread crumbs and cook them over medium heat for two to three minutes before taking them off the heat.

In another pan, melt your tablespoons of butter over medium heat and gradually stir in your flour. Whisk in your milk and bring everything to a boil while stirring continuously.

Cook everything for one to two minutes until it thickens and take it off the heat, stirring in your cheese. Stir in the ham, pepper, and veggies as well.

Next, transfer everything to a greased casserole dish and sprinkle the top with your bread crumbs. Bake it uncovered for about 10 to 15 minutes, and you’re ready to serve!

Takeaway

These winter casseroles may be the lifesaver you need in this cold season. They’re hearty, warm, and perfectly complement the weather. 

Source: Taste of Home