Cheesy Casseroles to Celebrate Cold Weather
It’s (finally!) cooling down and we’re celebrating with our favorite cheesy casseroles.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Fall has really been dragging its heels, but cooler weather is here and that means it’s officially time for the comfort food classic: casseroles. You may be picturing the cringeworthy casseroles of yesteryear, but we’re talking flavorful no-fuss big-batch meals that help you feed a hungry crowd with ease. Whether you’re planning a tailgate, feeding a soccer team or just looking for something to break up a food rut, these cozy, cheesy casseroles will do the trick.
Grilled Cheese-and-Tomato Casserole (pictured above)
Combine all the comfort-food feels of tomato soup and grilled cheese into one dish. Use this game-changing cooking method any time you have to prepare large batches of hot sandwiches: cook under the broiler instead of the stovetop and you can serve them all at once.
Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
This is the perfect make-ahead meal: put the casserole together early on in the week and store in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. You may have to tack on some extra time in the oven if you’re reheating straight from the fridge, but it’s worth it for the mid-week no-fuss meal.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Why should dinnertime have all the casserole fun? This sweet and savory casserole is a great way to use up leftover pancakes, stacked between layers of cheese, sausage and eggs. Prep the night before and you’ll have a no-fuss breakfast for a crowd ready to go in the morning.
Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.
A cozy casserole that’s ready in just 30 minutes means you can have your comfort food and eat it too -- any night of the week. Store-bought, shelf-stable gnocchi is a great shortcut for weeknights; find it in the dried pasta aisle of your grocery store.
Steve Giralt
The Pioneer Woman packs a ton of Mexican flavors into a pretty little cheesy casserole that your family will be requesting on a regular basis. Only cooking for a few people? Prep this in two, smaller baking dishes. Leave one uncooked and freeze (for up to 6 months). You’ll thank us on one of those crazy days when nothing goes right and you’re staring at an empty fridge right around dinnertime.
So you’re craving a hot plate of cheesy goodness, but want to keep calorie count in mind? This casserole has all your answers. The creamy sauce is thickened with a little bit of flour instead of a traditional roux, which cuts down on added fat, and brown rice makes for a hearty, nutty filler. Don’t worry, though, there’s still a fair amount of cheese in there to make everyone happy. Because, balance.
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