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  5. The Most Comforting Casseroles You Can Make For New Moms

The Most Comforting Casseroles You Can Make For New Moms

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated February 09, 2022
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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

As far as Southerners are concerned, a casserole is a cure for all things. For illness and grief, a casserole provides comfort and warmth. For celebration and community, a casserole provides heartiness and joy. For a new mom? A casserole provides sheer sustenance. In the early days back home, new mothers face challenges beyond anything they've experienced before. From caring for her new bundle of joy (not to mention, the rest of her family) to keeping the sink clear of bottles and figuring out how to squeeze a few hours of sleep in here and there, it can feel like an uphill battle. While taking care of a new child is truly something special, it does make mealtime more about surviving than thriving for quite some time. That's where the new mom meal train comes in. Those close to the new mother can provide welcome assistance with something as simple as—you guessed it—a casserole. Taking you all the way from breakfast to dinner to dessert, we created a lineup of downright delicious, comforting casseroles to make for the new mommy in your life. All she'll have to do is pop these in the oven or the freezer for a little relief.

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Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Recipe: Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

This isn't your typical pasta bake with its cheese-filled tortellini, crunchy pecan topping, and fresh broccoli. It's completely kid-friendly, but even more appealing to the adults!

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Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

This meatless Mexican breakfast casserole is an amazing make-ahead option that'll be perfect for a new mommy to pop in the oven as she pleases. If you want to go the extra mile, throw in a separate bag of grape tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and avocado for topping.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

This hearty family dinner is so delicious, she'll never know it took you less than an hour to pull together.

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

This 30-minute, vegetarian pasta bake strays from the usual Italian sausage, chicken, and ground beef for a fresh, flavorful dish. The kale becomes so tender in the creamy sauce that kids and adults will both be reaching for second helpings.

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King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken

This Tex-Mex dish is full of smoked chicken, sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, green chiles, chili powder, roasted peppers, and toasted cumin for a full-bodied casserole that makes a regular appearance at our church suppers and neighborhood potlucks.

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Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

A mixture of eggs, half-and-half, and Italian seasoning will serve as the heart of this sweet potato-packed frittata that gives a fresh taste to breakfast for the new mother in your life.

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Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake
Credit: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

You can't forget about dessert for the new mom (we all know, she deserves it). This easy sheet cake combines chocolate cake, pudding, and spice with a sliced almond topping that adds awesome crunch to the ultra-moist cake.

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Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

This savory breakfast casserole combines a few of our favorite early-day ingredients, like hot ground sausage, flaky croissants, and Parmesan and Gruyère cheeses.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is always a go-to Southern comfort dish, and this delectable version is as classic as it comes. 

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Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Pecan-Peach Cobbler
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pecan-Peach Cobbler

Provide a classic comfort dessert with this easy peach cobbler that gets a delicious nuttiness from pecans. You can make this cobbler ahead of time, let it cool, and then freeze it for up to one month.

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Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Best-Ever Mac and Cheese
Credit: VICTOR PROTASIO; PROP STYLING: GINNY BRANCH STELLING; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

Recipe: Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese 

Cubes of Cheddar cheese that melt as the pasta bakes are the secret to this best-ever classic. It creates pockets of gooey goodness in every bite. 

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Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked Ziti with Sausage
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Sausage 

This ziti is one of our favorite casseroles to whip up for friends in need because it's hearty, flavorful, and super quick to make. The tomato sauce has a little kick thanks to the Italian sausage and seasoning.

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Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Recipe: Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

You can make this classic lasagna and then freeze it up to three months, making it a great option for new mothers to keep on hand during the first weeks at home—ready to pull it out anytime it's needed!

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Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole

Step away from the pasta bakes with this wild rice casserole filled with chicken, water chestnuts, sour cream, and cheese. We love the freshness of the sliced almond topping!

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Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole Recipe
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole

Ah, the classic poppyseed casserole. It simply can't be beat for new mom meal trains, church suppers, or neighborhood potlucks. This casserole features our beloved traditional egg noodles with diced turkey.

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Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

You can prepare this recipe in two smaller baking dishes, one for the new mother to enjoy for dinner and the other to freeze for a later meal. Pair it with a tossed salad and French bread for a hearty family supper.

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Creamy Egg Strata

Creamy Egg Strata
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Creamy Egg Strata

We can't stress enough the simplicity behind this crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole: eggs, bread, cheese, and a creamy filling to hold it all together. It's going to be a welcome gift for any new mother who might not be thinking ahead for hearty weekend breakfast ideas!

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Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Shepherd’s Pie with Potato Crust
Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Truly wow your new mom meal train receiver with this pretty scalloped potato crust, but we think the filling is the real showstopper. Beef, vegetables, red wine, Worcestershire, and plenty of herbs meld together for a comforting supper.

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King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese

Our favorite King Ranch Chicken comes back strong with this decadent macaroni and cheese version. This dish is a hands-down family favorite, and it'll be an even bigger hit if your friend or relative has younger children to gobble it up.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe Casserole
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole

This old-school classic was taken up a notch for suppertime with this pasta bake version that includes the sweet-savory blend of sauce and ground beef everyone loves.

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Okra and Rice Casserole

Okra and Rice Casserole
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

Tender sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs come together for a fresh, flavor-packed casserole that strays from pasta bakes, but stays filling thanks to rice and breadcrumbs.

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Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake

Cream Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake

This Tex-Mex casserole gets a Southern twist from its buttermilk cornbread topping. You're going to love the 40-minute total cook time too—so much that you might just whip up an extra treat for the new mommy!

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Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Chicken-and-Collards Pilau

Not quite a casserole, but definitely worthy of making for a new mom. This one-pot wonder is full of quick-cooking basmati rice, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, collard greens, and Cajun smoked sausage.

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Winter Blackberry Cobbler

Winter Blackberry Cobbler
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Winter Blackberry Cobbler

We think this blackberry cobbler deserves to be made all year long. If you're feeling extra generous, drop off some vanilla ice cream for the new mom and her family to enjoy on top of the warmed cobbler.

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Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas

There's something so comforting about a warm chicken enchilada casserole, which is why it's no surprise that many people make this dish during the holidays to have on hand. Deliver this delicious dinner to your new mommy friend for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

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Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Turn restaurant-style chicken wings into a warm and comforting homemade meal. If your new mom already has her hands full with other little family members to feed, you're in luck. This casserole serves six. 

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Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole 

Give her the gift of substance with this ground beef casserole the whole family can enjoy for days. 

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    1 of 27 Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
    2 of 27 Breakfast Enchiladas
    3 of 27 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
    4 of 27 Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
    5 of 27 King Ranch Chicken
    6 of 27 Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole
    7 of 27 Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake
    8 of 27 Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole
    9 of 27 Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
    10 of 27 Pecan-Peach Cobbler
    11 of 27 Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese
    12 of 27 Baked Ziti with Sausage
    13 of 27 Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna
    14 of 27 Chicken-and-Wild Rice Casserole
    15 of 27 Turkey-Noodle-Poppyseed Casserole
    16 of 27 Italian Casserole
    17 of 27 Creamy Egg Strata
    18 of 27 Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust
    19 of 27 King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
    20 of 27 Sloppy Joe Casserole
    21 of 27 Okra and Rice Casserole
    22 of 27 Creamy Tex-Mex Cornbread Bake
    23 of 27 Chicken-and-Collards Pilau
    24 of 27 Winter Blackberry Cobbler
    25 of 27 Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas
    26 of 27 Buffalo Chicken Casserole
    27 of 27 Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole

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    The Most Comforting Casseroles You Can Make For New Moms
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