11 Warming Winter Casseroles to Fuel Your Cold-Weather Menu

If ever there was a season where casseroles shine, it's winter. The fix-it-and-forget-it approach of these easy meals, combined with the comforting nostalgia of a winter casserole, keeps you cozy all season long. Give some of these cold weather bakes a try as you settle in for chilly evenings at home.

As soon as the temps drop, it's time to break out your best casserole dish. Start the winter season dinner lineup with a classic chicken casserole the whole family will love. We have five easy chicken casserole recipes to keep you full all season, but the chicken rice casserole might be the most comforting on the list. 

If you love the coziness of casseroles, you should also try our warming winter soups for the ultimate comfort dish this winter. 

Quick, name the most comforting foods for winter. For us, it has to be gooey cheese and filling potatoes. This cheesy potato casserole from Half-Baked Harvest will keep your family full and help you stick to your food budget this winter. Did we mention the topping is made of buttery Ritz crackers? 

If you have leftover pot roast and need to stretch it for another meal, try this casserole hack. You can measure ingredients based on how much pot roast you have and serve with additional sides as needed.

1. Add cooked rice, noodles, or potatoes to your pot roast mix, making sure everything is coated, and place in a casserole dish.
2. Add beef broth or vegetable broth if your pot roast needs moisture.
3. Top with crushed crackers or bread crumbs seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
4. Bake until the topping is browned and your casserole filling is starting to bubble.

This genius idea for leftover roast is almost as good as our ideas for leftover pulled pork. 

Who said casseroles were just for dinner? They can also be a comforting solution to your busy winter mornings. Our blueberry bread pudding and hashbrown casseroles are easy to make and so cozy for chilly weather. Find these and seven other breakfast casseroles on our official list. 

Winter vegetables find their purpose in a hearty casserole. This butternut squash casserole from Ambitious Kitchen also includes chicken and wild rice. Your family will never know they're devouring a few servings of vegetables when they ask for seconds of this cozy dish. 

Related: 7 Nostalgic Casseroles We Loved as Kids

Start those chilly mornings with something sweet this winter. A French toast bake with fresh winter berries is warming and cozy enough to warrant seconds. 

Ingredients

• Italian bread loaf, cubed and dried.
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup each of blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Add your bread crumbles to a greased baking dish.
3. Mix the eggs, cream, vanilla, and seasoning in a separate bowl.
4. Pour over the bread crumbles, making sure everything is saturated.
5. Add your winter berries on top.
6. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until the bread is firm and the berries are gooey. 
7. Serve with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.

The ultimate comforting winter casserole isn't even referred to as a casserole. Few dishes compare to classic shepherd's pie when it comes to heartiness and cozy vibes. Once you master making this timeless dish, your family will ask for it all winter long. 

We love enjoying meatballs on a sub or with a side of spaghetti. But for winter, we want all the casseroles. Our hearty turkey meatball casseroles are a tasty alternative to beef and pork, and we're guessing they'll be a hit with your whole family. 

Looking for a flavor-packed casserole to mix things up this winter? Try our vegan take on enchilada casserole. 

Chicken pot pie is great, but this vegetarian version gives you an affordable meatless Monday dish for winter. Plus, it's so easy to put together since it's made casserole-style.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of salted butter
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, diced
• 4 celery stalks, diced
• ½ cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• ¼ teaspoon curry powder (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Frozen puff pastry, thawed

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Sautee the vegetables in butter in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Once the vegetables are tender, add the liquids and seasonings and simmer until thickened.
4. When the filling is thickened, pour it into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
5. Top with your puff pastry and bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until the pasty is golden and the filling is bubbling.

We love a sugary sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving, but weeknight dinners call for something a little more savory. Try a twist on the classic side with this savory sweet potato casserole from How Sweet Eats. 

A little spice adds serious warmth to your winter menu. A tangy and heated buffalo chicken pasta bake is the exciting dish your palate needs to shake things up a bit. Forget buffalo wings when you can enjoy this easy casserole that leaves your fingers mess-free. 

Warm, filling, and full of nostalgia is how we like our winter casseroles. Add some of these to your dinner rotation for a winter full of comforting meals and easy kitchen clean up.