Photo:
iStock
Easy to prepare, made with simple ingredients, and winners with family members of all ages, you can eat casseroles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are sort of a home cook’s “fast food,” but a lot healthier and cheaper. Made ahead of time, they are ready to reheat whenever you need them. Winter is the perfect time to stock up your freezer with these easy meals. Spend an afternoon prepping a few different kinds of ready-to-go ‘roles for the months ahead.
1. Everything bagel casserole
Bagels might just be the perfect breakfast food, so why not turn them into an ultimate breakfast casserole? This version, from Wellplated, is a great way to use up leftover bagels and ham or bacon. You can toss in some extra sautéed veggies or omit the pork, but don’t forget the cream cheese!
2. Biscuits and gravy with sausage and egg breakfast casserole
This casserole from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom is loaded with biscuits, gravy, eggs and sausage and might just put you into a food coma (in the best possible way). Calling for refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough, this recipe is easy to whip together and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
3. Baked oatmeal
If you’re looking for something a little lighter and healthier than the typical breakfast casserole, look no further than Sally’s Baking Addiction baked oatmeal. You can use fresh or frozen berries, or even swap them out entirely with apples or bananas. The best part: It’s all prepped in one bowl, which makes for an easy cleanup.
4. Pizza spaghetti bake
What Megan’s Making takes two of our favorite meals, pizza and spaghetti, and combines them into one dish that the whole family will love. It’s cheesy, it’s noodley, it’s pizza! Bonus: You probably have most of the ingredients already on hand in your refrigerator and pantry.
5. Cheeseburger and french fry casserole
When you’re craving cheeseburgers but don’t want to fire up the grill, make I Wash You Dry’s casserole version. Cheesy ground beef is topped with super crispy seasoned curly fries, and the whole kit and kaboodle is baked in the oven. If you’ve got a little extra time on your hands, whip up the simple fry sauce, or just douse the whole thing with ketchup.
6. Chicken pot pies
When you don’t need to feed a crowd, but you still want a comforting (and quick) lunch, whip up a batch of Once Upon a Chef’s chicken pot pies. The ingredients are simple — store-bought rotisserie chicken and puff pastry — but the flavors are rich and satisfying. The secret ingredient in the sauce is a splash of cognac, but you can just add extra chicken stock if you don’t have any on hand.
7. Baked tortellini casserole
You can go fancy or simple, beef or vegetarian, with this easy comfort dish. Follow Number 2 Pencil’s directions for homemade meat sauce, or just swap it out with your favorite vegetarian jarred sauce. Using fresh tortellini is the trick to this dish — they absorb the flavorful sauce as they bake.
8. Chicken, bacon and ranch lasagna
If you’re looking for something a little out of the box, but not completely unfamiliar, try Wholesome Yum’s bacon and ranch lasagna. These are classic flavors that your kids will love, presented in a new and fun (and layered) way. Bonus for parents: It’s keto-diet-friendly!
9. Slow cooker taco tater tot Casserole
Tacos meet tater tots in Slow Cooker Gourmet’s quick and easy bake. You can whip it together for dinner tonight, or if you want something ready to go in the freezer, simply prep the filling, freeze and then place it along with the tater tots in your slow cooker when it’s (almost) time for dinner. If you want a vegetarian dish, omit the beef and substitute an additional two cans of beans (try mixing and matching a few varieties, such as pinto and black beans).
10. Teriyaki chicken casserole
For something on the lighter side and packed with veggies, you’ll want to dig into Life in the Lofthouse’s teriyaki chicken casserole. To save even more time preparing this dish, grab a bottle of your favorite teriyaki sauce and roasted chicken from the hot bar at the grocery store. Swap up the veggies to your kids’ favorites, or introduce them to something new.
