Maybe it’s the Midwesterner in me, but nothing says comfort quite like a casserole. Casseroles are the staple of every potluck, family reunion and Sunday night dinner across the country—and for good reason: They’re simple to prepare, inexpensive and they appeal to a broad range of tastes.
But here’s the problem: Most casseroles rely on processed ingredients like MSG (I’m looking at you, cream of mushroom/cream of cheddar/cream of whatever soup). If you’ve ever been grossed out by the ooey-gooey glumps that pour out of those cans, don’t fear. There are tons of chicken casseroles that you can make with whole foods and all-natural ingredients.
Here are 11 chicken casserole dishes that will prove comfort food doesn’t have to involve processed stuff from a can.
1. Cauliflower Mac N’ Chicken Casserole
Healthy comfort food made with ancient grain pasta and real cheese? Yes, please! Find the recipe on Fit Foodie Finds.
Casseroles don’t have to be a carb-explosion. You can make a delicious casserole with zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta. Try this recipe from Food Faith Fitness.
Want to get your kids to eat their Brussels sprouts? Try serving the often hated vegetable to them in this delicious casserole that features bacon, cheese and cream. It all comes together with a rotisserie chicken to make your life even easier. Find the recipe on Flying on Jess Fuel.
4. Creamy Chicken Casserole With Brown Rice, Mushrooms And Baby Kale
Here’s another casserole that lets you sneak in veggies. This easy recipe from Mother Rimmy’s Recipes features baby kale, but you can easily sub spinach if you prefer.
6. Spiralized Cheesy Butternut Squash And Carrot Casserole With Chicken
This creative recipe from the Mom 100 replaces noodles with spiralized veggies. It makes a colorful, fresh and healthy casserole that will be adored by kids and adults alike.
An update on a classic: This modern-day broccoli and chicken casserole includes quinoa for some added flavor and fiber. But with plenty of melty cheese, the kids won’t even realize they’re eating something that’s good for them! Get the recipe from Diethood.
How decadent does this delicious casserole look? This restaurant-quality dish will change the way you think about casseroles forever. Get the recipe from Julia’s Album.
This warm and cozy casserole is not only great for dinnertime, it also makes the perfect dish to share with loved ones who are under the weather. Nothing says “feel better soon” like a casserole, especially when it involves chicken noodle! Get the recipe from Our Best Bites.
I love a casserole with a little crunch! This recipe from Lauren’s Latest features lots of goodies (veggies, real cheese, a little bit of heat in the form of jalapenos) as well as crushed tortilla chips! Yum.
