Casserole

Now listen. I don’t know exactly why it’s called Full Moon Casserole — maybe because it’s best eaten under the stars with people you love, or maybe it’s just what Aunt Jean called it back when she made it for church socials. Either way, when I make this, I picture a full moon hanging low outside the window, the sound of cicadas buzzing, and a quiet evening where the house smells like melted cheddar and buttery croutons. You know… the good stuff. Why You’ll Be Making This Again and Again Uses simple veggies you probably already have Creamy, cheesy, and …

  Now listen, I love a proper tamale as much as the next gal. But between soaking husks, mixing dough, and wrapping each one like a baby burrito — who has the time on a Tuesday? This casserole gets you all the good stuff: that soft, rich masa, tender chicken simmered in green enchilada sauce, and cheesy, creamy layers that’ll have you scraping your plate. No steamer. No husks. No stress. Just comfort with a kick. Why You’re Gonna Love This All the tamale flavor, none of the tamale labor Fluffy, buttery masa layer that holds up beautifully Green chile …

It Ain’t Fancy — But It Sure Is Good This casserole was born out of one of those clean-out-the-fridge nights — you know the ones. I had leftover rotisserie chicken, a bag of pasta that wasn’t enough for a full recipe, and just a handful of cheese odds and ends. Tossed in some ranch and BBQ sauce on a whim and, honey… we hit gold. The flavor? Think cheesy chicken bacon ranch meets a summer BBQ — but without having to fire up the grill or wash a mountain of dishes. Why This Recipe Deserves a Permanent Spot in Your …

I’ve got a little theory: some recipes show up in your life right when you need ‘em. Not the fancy ones with hard-to-pronounce ingredients. I’m talkin’ about the kind that catches you on a Tuesday night when the dishwasher’s full, the laundry’s louder than the TV, and nobody feels like cooking—but everybody still wants something warm. That’s how this Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini came into my world. It was one of those nights where I opened the fridge and just stood there, staring at a container of leftover chicken and half a block of cream cheese like they were supposed to …

A little sweet, a little smoky, a whole lotta “can I have seconds?” Alright, story time. I made this casserole on a whim one Saturday afternoon years ago — nothing fancy, just flipping through an old magazine while sipping sweet tea and trying to figure out what to make for a neighborhood potluck. I saw “baked bean casserole” and thought, “Well, that’s humble.” But then I noticed it was Trisha Yearwood’s recipe, and I figured, if anyone knows comfort food, it’s her. Y’all. The smell alone had me peeking into the oven before the timer was halfway done. And when …

You know those mornings when everyone’s suddenly starving, the coffee hasn’t quite kicked in, and you’re supposed to be the one with a plan? Yeah. Been there. Too many times. That’s exactly why I keep this brunch casserole in my back pocket like a secret weapon. It’s seen me through sleepy holiday mornings, birthday brunches, church potlucks, and more “I forgot I invited people” moments than I care to admit. And somehow—somehow—it always comes out tasting like I actually had my life together. There’s something about the combo of spicy sausage, creamy eggs, crispy hash browns, and melty cheese that …

I don’t know about you, but when I’m standing in the kitchen after a long day — laundry still unfolded, emails unanswered, dog staring at me like he hasn’t eaten in weeks — I need something reliable. Something you can just layer up, throw in the oven, and forget about for an hour. That’s where this casserole comes in. It’s beefy. It’s cheesy. It’s full of tender potatoes and cozy flavors that just make everything feel alright again. We’ve had this on chilly nights, lazy Sundays, and even after baseball practice when everyone’s starving and patience is in short supply. …

The Kind of Meal That’s There for You When You’re Not Here’s the thing: some nights I just want dinner to make itself. I want to toss some things in a pot, forget about it, and come back to something warm and cheesy that makes the whole kitchen smell like love. That’s where this casserole comes in. I call it “mom’s-night-off magic.” You throw it in the slow cooker in the morning (or lunchtime, let’s be real), go on with your day — work, errands, laundry that never ends — and then when you come back home? Dinner’s just waiting …

Because we’re tired, but we still want to eat like queens. Let me tell you something: this casserole saved dinner more times than I care to admit. I keep a bag of frozen meatballs in my freezer the way other folks keep emergency candles—because you just never know. I stumbled into this recipe on a weeknight that had chaos written all over it. Work had run late, the dog tracked muddy pawprints through the kitchen, and the only thing I had going for me was a clean casserole dish and a jar of marinara sauce. I looked at that pasta …

I’ll tell you what — some recipes aren’t just food, they’re memories dressed up in sauce and cheese. This one? John Marzetti casserole? It’s the kind of dish that reminds me of chilly evenings in November, when the sun disappears before supper’s even ready and everyone’s just a little too quiet until they smell dinner in the oven. We used to have it on Thursday nights when I was a kid. My mom would toss it together after work, still in her heels, her hair pinned up with one of those old metal clips. And somehow — even though we …