Bert Swope
As temperatures cool off, we turn our thoughts towards warming pasta casseroles that provide nourishment while being easy and quick to make. These autumn-inspired meals can provide both nourishment and tasty nourishment all in one satisfying package!
This delicious sausage pasta casserole comes together quickly in just 35 minutes! Try using smoked mozzarella for extra umami flavor and to add an smoky, savory flair. Perfect as a weeknight dinner option for health-conscious eaters!
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Casserole
If you’re craving comforting food, few dishes top creamy pasta and chicken as the ideal comfort dish. This cheesy chicken Alfredo pasta casserole can easily be made for weeknight dinner in under an hour! Plus, leftovers make this meal even tastier – don’t hesitate to double the recipe and store in your freezer as an emergency meal option!
A tasty Alfredo sauce combined with cooked rotisserie chicken makes for a quick and simple dinner option that’s sure to please. Combine that with pasta and toasted breadcrumb topping for an enticing meal that won’t break the bank! For added flavor, cook your pasta in chicken broth instead of water or add herbs like parsley or basil; or experiment with adding other add-ins like mushrooms, spinach or bell peppers for an even heartier meal!
This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for stress-free weeknight dinner. If serving to a crowd, be sure to prepare extra and serve alongside salad and warm crusty bread for optimal results.
Make this dish vegetarian-friendly by replacing the cream with vegetable-based Alfredo sauce of your choice and substituting chicken with beans or tofu as desired for an easier, lighter dish!
Change up your recipe by switching up the type of pasta or cheese used. Perhaps experiment with ziti, penne or large elbow noodles instead of fettuccine for added variety or add mozzarella or cheddar cheese for extra flavor boost.
To create this dish, cook the pasta according to package directions and drain. Meanwhile, cube your chicken and combine it in a bowl with Alfredo sauce, seasonings (such as oregano basil onion powder garlic powder salt pepper). Mix all of this together then transfer into an ovenproof baking dish topped with mozzarella cheese before baking for approximately 25 minutes or until bubbly cheese.
Butternut Squash Gnocchi Pasta Casserole
Fall favorites don’t come any easier than this creamy butternut squash gnocchi pasta casserole: quick and easy dinner solutions ideal for busy weeknights. Packed with flavorful buttery sauce infused with spicy Italian sausage and fresh thyme and sage, it will become one of your go-to Autumn comfort food dishes in less than 40 minutes! Don’t miss this simple one-pan meal — sure to become one of your favorites!
Butternut Squash Gnocchi is an exquisite take on traditional potato gnocchi. Crafted with egg, ricotta cheese, and butternut squash puree for a unique dumpling that exudes delicate flavor and texture, this delectable treat can then be served up tossed in a brown butter and sage sauce along with Parmesan cheese and grated nutmeg to complete an unforgettable dining experience!
Homemade gnocchi is easy and delicious – perfect for busy days when time spent cooking is a luxury! Freeze some for future meals when time is tight! They make an excellent addition to any freezer meal collection and will become lifesavers during their creation process!
To create this simple gnocchi recipe, start by roasting a butternut squash until its flesh can be easily pierced by a fork and its skin has some slight browning spots. Next, remove its flesh and puree it until smooth – this step reduces water content thus decreasing how much flour is necessary in making gnocchi dough.
Once the butternut squash puree has been allowed to cool, combine it with all of the other ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine into dough. Knead lightly until dough begins to come together; add additional flour as needed until firm but not sticky dough forms; for an airy and light gnocchi treat be careful not to use too much; too much will result in dense bites!
Once the dough has been formed, cut it into pieces and roll each into long ropes. Arrange these on a baking sheet before popping them in the oven until lightly browned – approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you could cook in batches to ensure all gnocchi are lightly browned at once. To serve, spoon into bowls with sage-brown butter sauce and Parmesan cheese topping for optimal results!
Kale Pasta Casserole
As temperatures cool off, kale becomes an indispensable ingredient for comforting meals. This cheesy pasta casserole is an easy way to incorporate it into your weekly dinner rotation or bring it along for any potluck or pot-in!
This dish’s success lies in its luxurious coconut milk sauce, which adds deliciousness and gives the dish its creamy texture. If desired, the dish can also be made vegan-friendly by swapping out chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken instead.
This recipe calls for casarecce pasta, but any tube-shaped pasta would do; such as fusilli, campanelle or macaroni and cheese. Furthermore, any variety of greens such as chard or spinach would work wonderfully with this dish – you will simply need to cook kale beforehand before adding it into the pasta pot!
Start this delicious vegetarian pasta casserole by following the package instructions for al dente pasta. In a separate pan, saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms in butter until tender before removing from heat and mixing in kale until it has completely wilted. Drain cooked pasta before setting aside.
Combine pasta, kale, mushrooms, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and ricotta in a large bowl before transferring it to a baking dish with mozzarella cheese for topping. Bake this pasta casserole until bubbly and golden brown – usually 30-35 minutes.
Before serving your pasta casserole, give it time to rest for several minutes so the flavors can blend and the juices can settle – this will help prevent an unruly sloppiness when diving in!
This pasta casserole makes an easy main course with crusty bread and salad, or pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables such as brussel sprouts, asparagus, or carrots. Plus it makes great meal prep! Leftovers last up to 4 days in the refrigerator before being reheated in the oven.
Pumpkin Pasta Casserole
Pumpkin pasta casserole is an easy vegetarian dinner for fall that uses Hokkaido pumpkin and kale mixed together with pasta and cheese before being baked to golden perfection.
Homemade pasta in this recipe is easy and straightforward; simply bring a large pot of salted water to boil, cook the noodles in batches until they float to al dente perfection – that will tell you! Drain, saving some of the pasta water as liquid, and toss with any desired sauces or seasonings for best results.
This classic pumpkin pasta casserole makes an easy weeknight dinner option that the entire family will love. Made with easily accessible ingredients that come together quickly to produce this crowd-pleasing recipe. Furthermore, you can easily adapt this dish for gluten-free or vegan eating by swapping out various components – flour and dairy for example – when necessary.
Start by cooking the pasta to be al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than its package instructions recommend. Meanwhile, saute onion and garlic until soft before adding cremini mushrooms and kale for cooking until tender. Combine all this with pasta, ricotta cheese, tomato sauce, pumpkin puree, parmesan cheese fontina cheese in an lightly greased baking dish for best results.
Bake until the top is browned and pasta is bubbling, approximately 20-25 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh sage leaves (or dried thyme or sage if necessary) and toasted walnuts, pecans or pine nuts for extra crunchiness.
Add an extra spicy kick to this hearty pumpkin pasta casserole by mixing in chili powder or cayenne pepper along with red pepper flakes, lemon or lime juice and nutritional yeast flakes for extra umami flavor! Perfect as either an easy dinner option or side for larger meals; double your batch and store some in the freezer!
