14 Best Cheesy Casserole Recipes for Cold Nights You’ll Love

When the temperature drops and the wind bites, there's nothing like a warm, gooey casserole to fend off the chill. From bubbling casseroles that ooze with melted cheese to hearty dishes that warm your soul, these recipes are comfort in a dish.

I’ve compiled a list of my favorites in this blog post titled "14 Best Cheesy Casserole Recipes for Cold Nights You’ll Love!" Each recipe is packed with flavors and easy to make, perfect for those cozy evenings when you just want to snuggle up indoors. So grab your baking dishes, preheat your ovens, and let’s get cooking!

1. Classic Mac and Cheese Casserole

Remember that first bite of creamy, heartwarming mac and cheese you had as a child? This casserole takes it up a notch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter, then stir in flour until smooth.
4. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
5. Stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika until melted.
6. Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and pour into a casserole dish.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

2. Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Hearty and filling, this chicken and rice combo is a surefire hit for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together rice, chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream.
3. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the cheeses.
4. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

3. Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole

Get your veggies with a side of indulgent cheese in this delicious dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Steam the broccoli until tender.
3. In a bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, milk, mayonnaise, and half of the cheese.
4. Mix broccoli into the sauce and pour into a casserole dish.
5. Top with remaining cheese, crushed crackers, and drizzle with melted butter.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

4. Cheesy Sausage and Potato Casserole

Perfect for breakfast or dinner, this casserole is loaded with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diced potatoes
• 2 cups cooked sausage crumbles
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Boil potatoes until tender, then drain.
3. In a bowl, mix together sausage, onions, milk, sour cream, and spices.
4. Stir in half of the cheeses and the potatoes.
5. Pour into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned.

5. Tuna Noodle Casserole

A classic dish that exudes nostalgia, tuna noodle casserole is both filling and comforting.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked egg noodles
• 2 cans tuna, drained
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine noodles, tuna, cream of mushroom soup, milk, cheese, and peas.
3. Pour mixture into a casserole dish.
4. Top with bread crumbs and Parmesan.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.

6. Cheesy Beef and Pasta Casserole

This protein-packed dish is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or elbow)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook ground beef with onions until browned; drain excess fat.
3. Add tomato sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine pasta with meat sauce and pour into a casserole dish.
5. Top with cheeses and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole

Leftover ham never tasted so good in this comforting casserole.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diced potatoes
• 2 cups diced ham
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Boil potatoes until tender; drain.
3. In a large bowl, combine ham, soup, milk, onions, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in potatoes and half the cheese.
5. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden.

8. Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Casserole

For those who love spinach artichoke dip, this casserole version is a must-try.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl, mix together spinach, artichokes, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in half the mozzarella and Parmesan.
4. Pour into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheeses.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.

9. Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Add a little spice to your cold nights with this flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cornbread mix
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Cook ground beef and taco seasoning until browned; drain excess fat.
3. Stir in corn and tomatoes.
4. Pour mixture into a casserole dish.
5. In a separate bowl, mix cornbread mix, milk, and egg; spread over meat mixture.
6. Top with cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until cornbread is golden.

10. Cheesy Meatball Casserole

A tasty twist on traditional spaghetti and meatballs, this casserole is sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Form into meatballs and place in a casserole dish.
4. Pour marinara sauce over meatballs and top with cheese.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until meatballs are cooked and cheese is melted.

11. Cheesy Grits Casserole

Southern comfort food at its finest, this dish is creamy, cheesy, and delightful.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked grits
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together grits, milk, butter, eggs, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in half the cheese.
4. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and set.

12. Cheesy Black Bean and Rice Casserole

A vegetarian-friendly option that’s still rich and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together rice, beans, salsa, sour cream, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir in half the cheese.
4. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

13. Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

For a veggie-filled take on traditional Parmesan, this eggplant dish is packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants, sliced and salted
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Olive oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Dredge eggplant slices in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with bread crumbs.
3. Fry slices in olive oil until golden and drain on paper towels.
4. In a casserole dish, layer marinara, eggplant slices, and cheeses.
5. Repeat layers and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden.

14. Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

This dish brings all the flavors of enchiladas, in a simple casserole form.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn
• 8 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook ground beef with cumin and garlic powder until browned; drain excess fat.
3. Stir in enchilada sauce, beans, and corn.
4. In a casserole dish, layer the beef mixture, tortilla strips, and cheese.
5. Repeat layers and top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy digging into these cheesy casseroles as much as I do. They’re perfect for those chilly nights when you need something comforting and hearty. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, these recipes are sure to be a hit. Grab a fork and dig in!