When it’s dark by dinner time, I want something I can put in the oven and forget about for a while. These are ten winter casseroles from food bloggers I enjoy, each with their own twist on a classic.
I’ve linked straight to each recipe so you get the full method and ingredient list from the person who developed it. My notes are just what caught my eye.
Every post below belongs to its creator. I link to them directly and don’t reuse their photos. Links checked on 11 November 2026.
1. Winter chicken and wild rice casserole
By Stefani Hood, There’s Always Pizza
Stefani’s version skips the condensed soup and uses winter vegetables like Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and sweet potatoes. She also suggests grocery shortcuts such as pre-cut vegetables and pre-cooked wild rice for busy nights.
What I’d borrow: Clean the kitchen while it bakes, then there’s almost nothing left to do after dinner.
2. Shepherd’s pie with lamb and herbs
By Coco et sel, cocoetsel.com
A comforting shepherd’s pie with ground lamb and vegetables simmered in bone broth with tomato paste, rosemary and thyme under a creamy mash. She uses cassava flour to thicken it and suggests beef or bison if you don’t eat lamb.
What I’d borrow: Simmering the filling in bone broth for a richer gravy.
3. Five-ingredient chicken enchilada casserole
By Lindsay, Pinch of Yum
Stacked rather than rolled, this enchilada casserole layers tortillas, beans and chicken under cheese and enchilada sauce. It looks like it took ages, but the ingredient list is short.
What I’d borrow: Stacking the tortillas, which saves all the rolling.
4. Chicken pot pie casserole with biscuits
By Casey Rooney, Get On My Plate
All the comfort of pot pie with much less fuss: leftover or rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables and a creamy filling under a layer of canned biscuits. Casey includes make-ahead, storage and reheating tips.
What I’d borrow: Using a rotisserie chicken so the whole thing comes together on a weeknight.
5. Unstuffed cabbage roll casserole
By Melissa, It’s Simple by HowToThisandThat
Melissa takes the flavours of stuffed cabbage rolls, ground beef, tomatoes, onion and cabbage, and bakes them in one dish with cheese, no rolling required. It’s low carb and she covers whether it freezes.
What I’d borrow: Chopping the cabbage instead of steaming and rolling leaves.
6. Scalloped potatoes and ham
By Jessica Gavin, jessicagavin.com
Thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes layered with ham and a cheesy sauce thickened with a quick roux. Jessica explains the science behind why it works and notes it’s a great way to use leftover holiday ham.
What I’d borrow: Saving this for the week after a holiday ham.
7. Budget baked ziti for the freezer
By Mona, Far From The Farm
Mona is a Brit living in the US who discovered baked ziti after moving there. Her version is built for busy weeks and tight budgets, with simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions for making it ahead and freezing it.
What I’d borrow: Making two and freezing one. My freezing guide has tips for reheating.
8. Tuna noodle casserole from scratch
By Tracy, Served From Scratch
A nostalgic classic made with homemade mushroom soup and homemade potato chips on top. Both can be made ahead, so on the night it’s mostly mixing and baking in a 9×13 dish.
What I’d borrow: Making the sauce a day early so dinner is quick.
9. Red chile enchilada casserole
By Gluten Free & Glorious, gfandglorious.com
Based on a recipe from her aunt, this layered casserole brings New Mexican red chile flavour and flat, stacked enchiladas the way she grew up eating them. It’s gluten free and forgiving about measurements.
What I’d borrow: Getting everything set out in bowls first, because it’s a happily messy assembly.
10. Autumn chicken and wild rice with squash and cranberries
By Aberdeen, Aberdeen’s Kitchen
A fresh take on chicken and wild rice with butternut squash, apple and cranberries. It’s naturally gluten and dairy free, and the post includes freezing and storage notes.
What I’d borrow: The cranberries. They make it feel festive enough for a winter gathering.
Before you bake
Not sure which dish to use? My casserole pan sizes and servings guide has a simple chart, and the Casserole Planner works out a pan and timings for your household. For more ideas, browse winter casserole recipes on Spiritual Ark.
Sources
| Creator | Post | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Stefani Hood (There’s Always Pizza) | Winter chicken and wild rice casserole | 11 November 2026 |
| Coco et sel (cocoetsel.com) | Shepherd’s pie with lamb and herbs | 11 November 2026 |
| Lindsay (Pinch of Yum) | Five-ingredient chicken enchilada casserole | 11 November 2026 |
| Casey Rooney (Get On My Plate) | Chicken pot pie casserole with biscuits | 11 November 2026 |
| Melissa (It’s Simple by HowToThisandThat) | Unstuffed cabbage roll casserole | 11 November 2026 |
| Jessica Gavin (jessicagavin.com) | Scalloped potatoes and ham | 11 November 2026 |
| Mona (Far From The Farm) | Budget baked ziti for the freezer | 11 November 2026 |
| Tracy (Served From Scratch) | Tuna noodle casserole from scratch | 11 November 2026 |
| Gluten Free & Glorious (gfandglorious.com) | Red chile enchilada casserole | 11 November 2026 |
| Aberdeen (Aberdeen’s Kitchen) | Autumn chicken and wild rice with squash and cranberries | 11 November 2026 |
Are you one of the creators featured here? If you’d like your post removed or your credit changed, email [email protected] and I’ll update it within a few days. See the contact page for details.
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