COMFORTING casseroles

WARM UP THE KITCHEN WITH THESE SATISFYING DISHES

BY JENNIFER BAJSEL

CARAMEL APPLE SPICED CASSEROLE SERVINGS: 12 | PREP: 45 MIN. | COOK: 2 HR. | TOTAL: 2 HR 45 MIN. INGREDIENTS: Spiced Cake: 2 1⁄2 cups flour | 2 tsp. baking powder | 1 tsp. baking soda | 1⁄2 tsp. salt | 2 tsp. ground cinnamon | 1 tsp. ground ginger | 1⁄2 tsp. ground nutmeg | 1⁄4 tsp. ground cloves | 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil | 1⁄2 cup butter, melted | 1 1⁄2 cup light brown sugar | 1 cup applesauce | 3 eggs | 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract Casserole: 1 spiced cake, cubed and dried | 2 cups half & half | 1⁄2 cup sugar | 4 eggs | 1 Tbsp. Vanilla | 2 tsp. cinnamon | 1⁄2 tsp. nutmeg | 1 can apple pie filling | Caramel sauce

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. GREASE a 9x13 baking dish. WHISK flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together in a large bowl. WHISK oil, butter, sugar, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla in a separate bowl. COMBINE wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir. SPREAD batter into prepared baking dish. BAKE for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. REMOVE cake from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. ALLOW to cool completely. CUT cake into cubes and place on a baking sheet covered loosely with a towel to dry out overnight. PREHEAT oven to 350°. SPRAY a casserole dish with cooking spray. COMBINE half & half, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and spices in a separate bowl. ADD dried spice cake to casserole dish. SPOON apple pie filling evenly over cake. POUR the milk and egg mixture over cake and filling. COVER the dish with foil. BAKE for 30 minutes, remove foil, and bake another 20-30 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. DRIZZLE with caramel sauce for serving.

TIPS & TRICKS: You can use boxed cake mix or a sweet, flavored bread in place of cake for the casserole. Make sure to let cake or bread dry out before baking casserole.

STEAK & POTATO CASSEROLE SERVINGS: 8 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOK: 1 HR. | TOTAL: 1 HR 15 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 3 lbs. beef top round, London broil cut, cubed | 3 oz. flour, divided | 1 Tbsp. steak seasoning | 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed | 1 green bell pepper, diced | 1 yellow onion, diced | 1 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced | 2 Tbsp. butter | 1 can cream of mushroom soup, plus water | 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350°. Combine 1⁄4 cup flour and steak seasoning. Toss cubed meat in flour mixture. Brown meat in a large skillet on high heat with oil, remove from pan and set aside. Sauté peppers, onion, mushrooms in same skillet until softened. Add butter and the remaining flour. Whisk condensed milk with water and add to softened vegetables. Stir in cheese. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish and place meat and potatoes into dish. Top with vegetables and sauce. Cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender. Garnish with parsley (optional).

TIPS & TRICKS: Use frozen hash browns, peppers, and onions for less prep.

CHICKEN & WAFFLE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE SERVINGS: 12 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOK: 30 MIN. | TOTAL: 45 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 pkg. frozen popcorn chicken | 8 toaster waffles, cut into cubes | 1 pkg. sausage, crumbled | 2 Tbsp. butter | 2 Tbsp. flour | 1⁄2 cup milk | 1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt | 1⁄2 tsp. black pepper | 5 eggs | 1⁄2 cup maple syrup, divided

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 425°. SPRAY a cast iron skillet with cooking spray. PLACE frozen chicken pieces in a single layer. BAKE for 10-15 minutes. BROWN the sausage in a separate pan. ADD butter and flour to create a roux. STIR in milk, salt, and pepper until thickened. ADD 1⁄4 cup maple syrup and eggs once gravy is cooled. REMOVE chicken from oven and reduce heat. COMBINE waffle pieces with chicken and top with milk and egg mixture. BAKE at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes. DRIZZLE with remaining syrup before serving.

TIPS & TRICKS: Toast the waffles before adding to casserole for a crunchier texture.

ABOUT OUR CHEF

TIPS & TRICKS: Toast the waffles before adding to casserole for a crunchier texture. Jennifer is a private chef in Dallas, TX, with a passion for home-cooked meals with a global influence. In addition to cooking, she hosts an Italian cooking show on national streaming television. To follow her, go to JenniferBajsel.com or find her on Instagram @JENNIFER_BAJSEL