Photo by Steven DePolo

Start the new year off right with some delicious and time-friendly meals that are sure to delight your whole family.  Casseroles are great to make ahead, freeze, and then heat later in the week.  They are also perfect for leftover lunches!  The slow cooker meals are also ideal for those cold winter nights when something warm and easy is a dinner must.  Make your menu planning easier this year by using the really good recipe ideas we feature on the first Saturday of every month.  Enjoy!

CHICKEN
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Chicken Cordon Bleu – Spirals of ham and cheese create the filling for this 35-minute French-inspired dish.
Asparagus and Chicken Carbonara – Evaporated fat-free milk and egg substitute take the place of raw eggs and whipping cream in this lightened-up pasta carbonara. It becomes main-dish worthy with the addition of chopped chicken and fresh asparagus.
BEEF
Cheeseburger Crescent Bake
Cottage Pie
Meal-in-a-Fry Pan
Hamburger Steaks and Gravy

FISH
Arctic Char with Cilantro-Yogurt Sauce
Pan-Seared Striped Bass All’amatriciana
Linguine with Tuna Puttanesca
Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa Verde
Pan Roasted Red Snapper with Grilled Onions, Sweet Melon and Feta Salad

PASTA
Penne alla Vodka Sauce
Maria’s Pasta Fagiole

VEGGIE
Rice and Veggie Alfredo Pie - This recipe is also gluten-free.
Sauteed Ravioli with Spinach and Mushrooms
Vegetarian Chili
Vegetable Pot Pies - As a shortcut for this recipe, used a prepared pie crust in your refrigerator section of the supermarket. You could also use a boxed pie crust mix.

SOUPS & STEWS
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo
Curried Chicken and Rice Soup
Loaded Bratwurst Stew
Unstuffed Green Pepper Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

PORK
Mandarin Pork and Wild Rice
Asian Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry
Oven Fried Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes
Barbecue Pork and Penne Skillet

TURKEY
Leftover Turkey or Chicken Casserole
Easy Turkey Cutlets Italiano
Quick Turkey Chili