Top 20+ cozy casseroles that warm you up fast

Ditch the hand warmers and grab a steaming-hot plate of comfort.

If you're seeking warmth and comfort on a bone-chillingly cold day, these creamy, cozy bakes are better than your favorite sweater! This collection features a variety of hearty stick-to-your-ribs casseroles that are truly luxurious. We're talking decadent French onion mac and cheese casserole, Irish baked mashed potato casserole, and cheesy pizza beans. Whatever you choose, these recipes are guaranteed to warm you up from the inside out!

01 of 20

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

"Chicken, broccoli, and cheese are an undeniable power trio. Add some hearty white rice and a creamy sauce, and you've got a winning combination. This comforting recipe puts all these elements together into a super-easy one-dish dinner. Protein? Check. Vegetables? Check. Cozy vibes? Double check." —Afton Cyrus, Senior Editor

02 of 20

Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake

"What happens when pasta meets up with a mozzarella and parmesan-loaded white sauce tossed with chopped ham and herbs? Magic! Belly-warming, rich, cheesy magic. There are times when all we need is a big bowl of comfort. That is exactly what we’re making here with this ham and cheese pasta bake." —Elise Bauer, Founder

03 of 20

Chicken Noodle Casserole

"My chicken noodle casserole is super creamy, thanks to a sauce I made from stock thickened with beurre manie (butter and flour) and sour cream. I finished the casserole with a blanket of melted cheddar on top, wide egg noodles underneath, and moist chunks of chicken throughout. It is impossible to stop eating it." —Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

04 of 20

Walking Taco Casserole

"I was utterly surprised and delighted when I received a bag of Fritos stuffed with chili, sour cream, corn chips, and cheese. On a hot and humid day, we sat on a grassy stretch of a park, catching up and enjoying the comforting amalgam of savory textures and flavors. Nowadays, when I crave those familiar flavors, I reach for my trusted skillet to prepare an at-home version, a walking taco casserole." —Karishma Pradhan, Recipe Developer

05 of 20

Chili Mac and Cheese

"This recipe pairs the cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the onions, tomatoes, and spiced ground beef of a pot of beef chili. The result is the ideal meal to keep you warm on a chilly night." —Aaron Hutcherson, Recipe Developer

06 of 20

Church Chicken Casserole

"Olga Mae would think I was just being fancy, but I tried to elevate her casserole just a bit. Instead of using sodium-heavy canned soups, my version uses a roux to make a chickeny-mushroomy cream soup base with pronounceable ingredients." —Cynthia Christensen, Recipe Developer

07 of 20

Beef Enchilada Casserole

"It takes some of the labor out of making traditional enchiladas. Instead of rolling individual enchiladas, the corn tortillas are dipped in a homemade enchilada sauce and left flat. Taco seasoning is used to flavor a simple ground beef and black bean filling nestled between layers of Monterey Jack cheese." —Marta Rivera, Recipe Developer

08 of 20

Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole

"To make it ahead, assemble all the ingredients in a casserole dish and store covered in the fridge a day or two before baking. You can also freeze the casserole before you bake it. If you store it in a heatproof dish (metal or ceramic, not glass), you can take it straight from the freezer to the oven. No thawing necessary!" —Simply Recipes Team

09 of 20

Marry Me Chicken Casserole

"Marry me chicken was made to be transformed into a casserole. It has a creamy sauce, protein, and pasta. The casserole version is great for preparing dinner in advance, combining all the flavors you want in an irresistible baked casserole." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

10 of 20

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

"If you’re looking for chicken casserole inspiration, here’s your ticket. It’s that familiar comfort-food staple made with cooked chicken and canned condensed soup—only with butter-toasted crushed Ritz crackers on top. Trust me, it’s a giant upgrade." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor

11 of 20

Chicken Piccata Noodle Casserole

"This variation on a theme wraps all the ingredients and flavors of a classic chicken piccata into the comforting format of a 9x13 casserole. While chicken piccata is an easy dish to make, it’s a tough one to serve to a crowd because you can only fit about four chicken cutlets at a time into your largest skillet. This version skips the cutlets altogether for the convenience of shredded rotisserie chicken." —Megan Scott, Former Senior Editor

12 of 20

Pickaroon Potatoes

"It was love at first bite. My mother-in-law had set the expectations low, but what landed on the table was anything but. She had hustled me! Her pickaroon potatoes were buttery, cheesy, and impossibly silky. They had a subtle horseradish tingle, finished with an ethereal cloud of paprika-scented whipped cream that slowly melted into a parmesan cream sauce." —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer

13 of 20

French Onion Mac and Cheese Casserole

"I know my daughter will love this French onion macaroni and cheese casserole, which transposes the flavors of French onion soup onto America’s favorite comfort food (as well as her own). It’s cheesy, gooey, and infused with the sweetness of jammy caramelized onions. Make it for a memorable dinner and keep it in your back pocket when you need an impressive make-ahead casserole." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor

14 of 20

Broccoli Cheese Casserole

"The casserole is still classic, nostalgic, and delicious, but slightly elevated. On the buffet spread, it is still highly recognizable, but you don’t need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright orange cheese anymore." —Molly Adams, Recipe Developer

15 of 20

Pizza Beans

"If I were cozying up on the couch, eating my pizza beans by the glow of an episode of Next in Fashion, I would require nothing more than a glass of wine to complete the meal. For a family affair, I’ll go a couple of steps further with some focaccia or garlic bread and a quick, simple green salad. Sautéed broccoli rabe or spinach would also be a welcome addition." —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer

16 of 20

Semi-Homemade Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

"While part of this recipe’s charm is its ease—tear open a bag of frozen hash browns and a bag of shredded cheddar cheese and then stir them together with a can of cream of chicken soup and a few scoops of sour cream—I wanted to make a semi-homemade version. My finished recipe for funeral potatoes has a creamy texture and a rich flavor, studded throughout with nice bits of chicken." —Summer Miller, Former Senior Editor

17 of 20

Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

"My take on chicken tetrazzini is easy and satisfying. After baking this casserole, you’ll have a creamy and rich sauce that clings to tender egg noodles. I prefer egg noodles over other pasta for this recipe because they soak up the gravy a bit more and make for a sturdier casserole." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

18 of 20

5-Ingredient Cheesy Corn Bake

"When I took a bite of Jack Stack's cheesy corn bake, one of the restaurant's most popular side dishes, I went to Lala Land and never returned to the date. It's velvety like creamed corn, very cheesy, and dotted with pieces of smoked ham—salty, sweet, creamy, and so delicious. It's been over 20 years, but the memory of this dish still makes me salivate." —Myo Quinn, Former Associate Editorial Director

19 of 20

Irish Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

"The mashed potatoes were molten hot, shot through with green onion, and contained what I guessed was roughly two tons of butter. They had a silky-smooth texture that was contrasted perfectly by the slightly crispy blanket of cheddar that was spread over the top." —Ivy Manning, Recipe Developer

20 of 20

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese

"Mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest. Loaded with carbs, ooey-gooey-creamy cheese sauce, and crunchy topping, it’s practically begging you to put on yoga pants and stay in for the night!" —Summer Miller, Former Senior Editor