January often finds me huddled up inside under a nice fuzzy throw just trying to stay warm. When I am not taking refuge from the cold, I am keeping warm by cooking some amazing food. Another important thing to remember about January is that I am back to work after Christmas break, so time is precious. Those two reasons are why I lean towards casseroles more and more every day. Here are the five casseroles that I just love to make on cold winter nights.
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
If I am being completely honest, I make this casserole year round. It is just that good. I make it for potlucks, grief meals, and family gatherings. It is super simple to throw together.
The best part is that the meal only takes one hour start to finish. Although I have been making this dish for the better part of 18 years, here is the exact same recipe that was published in 2010 on The Girl Who Ate Everything. I also have to say that I have enjoyed adding some of the optional ingredients that Christy Denney suggests.
Smothered Chicken & Cheesy Potato Casserole
In 2014 I stumbled on what very well may be one of my favorite casseroles of all time. Mandy Rivers over at South Your Mouth found a way to take some amazing ingredients and make a mouth watering dish that you will never regret eating. With chicken, cheese, potatoes, and bacon – I have to ask one thing, how could it not be good? And as with the other casserole recipes that I’ve mentioned, this one only takes about an hour and 15 minutes to make & cook.
No Peek Pork Chops & Rice
This recipe is a relatively new one in my kitchen, but that doesn’t stop it from being amazing. When I am not in the mood for the old standby of chicken or some ground beef, pork chops are my next stop. Stephanie with Plain Chicken came up with a flavorful dish that is the complete meal. It has some super yummy pork chops that lay on a bed of rice. Then you cover it and put it in the oven. Within an hour and a half you have piping hot dinner.
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Let me lead off by saying that this dish is no way going to win a “Healthy” award. But what it lacks in “being health conscious”, it makes up for in the flavor department. I have used the same recipe for years that I got from a friend who requests the recipe stay private. But I have tested out Krystle’s recipe from Baking Beauty and it is nearly identical. I also love how Krystle suggests adding some of the standard burger ingredients as toppings after the baking process.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Ritz Casserole
The last casserole that I can’t help but make over and over again is the Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole with Ritz topping penned by Angela at This Delicious House. Truly a meal all in one, this casserole has a protein, a carb and a vegetable. And as noted on the original post, I love to just grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to speed along the process. If you are looking for another way to help make cooking time go quicker, try cooking your rice the night before. What’s better is you can even prep the entire meal a day in advance and grab it out of the refrigerator when it’s time to go in the oven.
There are so many casseroles that I enjoy, I can’t list them all here. And I am also excited to try new recipes or changes to ones I mentioned above. Is there a casserole that you just have to have on a cold night? Or have you already tried one of my favorites. Feel free to comment down below with other recipes or let me know what you think after you try the ones I mentioned.
