The Big Book of Casseroles: 250 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food

I was interested in casseroles because I wanted recipes for dishes I can make ahead and freeze. This book exceeded my expectations. It has all the old favorites like tuna noodle and new ones like Osso Bucco. It even has a section on lower fat casseroles and a section on making recipes healthier. Every recipe I've tried has been a winner and have received lots of compliments. Some of the recipes are one dish suppers like Salmon and Peas, very tasty and easy to prepare. What it lacks in photos it makes up for in creativity.

You'll strike exciting, easy one dish meals with this book loaded with various ingredients and styles.They're all here--from chicken pot pies to seafood to Mexican to Pizza casseroles to Moroccan influenced. This is broad in its scope and rich in its diversity, from entrees to side dishes such as the nice section of rich gratins.I'm especially fond of the Orange-Hazelnut Chicken and the Beer Beef Stew with Parslied Buttermilk Dumplings, Greek Chicken and Rice.This is a prime candidate to get the kids in the cooking mode. Good place to have them join the fun and experience of cooking.

Don't expect color photos here, but the dishes are quite simple to put together and contain a complexity in flavors which challenges the traditional image of the overcooked and under-flavored casserole result. From Beer Beef Stew with Parslied Buttermilk Dumplings to Baked Tandoori Chicken on Lentils, Big Book of Casseroles is filled with appeal.

I love this cookbook. The recipes are very easy to make with ingredients most of us have in the pantry. The only tools you need are a knife and casserole dish or dutch oven. While the book features comfort food for home or a friendly potluck, many of the recipes are fancy enough for special company. Very east to read -- each recipe gets its own page. One warning, though -- a number of the recipes feature cheese/sour cream, so it isn't exactly a low-calorie cookbook. For a recent potluck, I used the reduced fat cheese and sour cream, and no one who ate it could tell the difference.

These recipes are great because most of them are very easy and can be prepared ahead of time then popped in the oven a 1/2 hour or so before you eat. As a stay-at-home mom - I can put the dish together while the kids are napping, then am free to play with them during that cranky time before dinner. And every recipe we've tried is delicious!