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Cold weather season and casseroles go hand in hand around these parts. I’m convinced that a group of people decided to make casseroles the official cold weather meal of the Midwest just to get them through the long winter.
Our first snowflakes started falling on Halloween day this year. It was slightly disappointing especially with the unseasonably cool summer we had that came after the longest winter I can remember ever having. And I have lived here my entire life. But there is just something about a warm meal that is super comforting, and makes the days getting shorter a little more tolerable.
Around the first of October or so, I get a large batch of condensed cream of chicken soup into the freezer so that I can have quick jars on hand for casseroles without reaching for the MSG filled red cans of condensed soup. These are great “make ahead” dinners that can sit in the fridge unbaked for a day or so, and also make wonderful meals to bring to a new momma or friend in need.
I remember coming up with this Italian casserole idea when I needed to make a casserole for a new momma friend, but didn’t have the ingredients on hand for the classic chicken and broccoli casserole I usually make. I did have spinach around, and garlic makes everything amazing, so this one got dressed up Italian style, and Italian Spinach and Chicken Casserole has made our winter dinner rotation ever since.
I use a small baking dish and this casserole feeds my family of 5 for one meal plus some leftover for my husband to take with him to work the next day. If you have a bigger crew to feed, or want more leftovers you can double the recipe and get it into a 9×13 baking dish.
Italian Spinach and Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 tsp italian seasoning
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pint condensed cream of chicken soup homemade, or 1 can
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
- 1/2 lb baby spinach
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup white rice or brown rice, cooking time will vary
- 3/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery in the friendly fat with the sea salt, pepper, and Italian season for about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for a minute.
- Put the cooked/seasoned veggies in a large mixing bowl along with the rest of the ingredients excluding the parmesan for the top, and combine.
- Pour the casserole mixture into a small, buttered baking dish and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. At this point you can either bake it off, or cover it up and put it in the fridge to bake later or bring to a friend in need.
- Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 1 hour.
Nutrition
This was so tasty and so easy to put together! We will definitely add this to our meals and be sure to add it to our meal train ideas too!!
Yay, Kera! So glad you enjoyed it!
What size is your “small baking dish”?
Hey Noel, I used a 3.5 quart baking dish.
A family favorite and a great meal to give to friends when in need!
This is a great meal!
What do you recommend serving with it on the side? Bread? Garlic Bread?
Hey Leila, You could serve it with a simple salad, or some toasty bread.
Hey! Is the rice in the ingredients cooked or uncooked? I’m making it with spiral pasta this time around 🙂
Hey Claire, It’s uncooked rice :). For pasta, I’d probably use cooked noodles (but I haven’t tried this method/ingredient to speak from experience).
I’m so craving spinach. It’s like those first flowers that push through the snow, heralds of good things to come. I shared your recipe in my April Real Food Meal Plan. Thanks for posting.
I’m beginning to change the way we eat, trying to cook from scratch and make it as nutritious as I can. Found this and made the broth, then made the condensed soup (got loads in the fridge! So yum!). Just tonight I put it all together and made this casserole. Everything was super easy and I had to check I didn’t forget anything. Thank you for posting this one. It was gold. Loved it!!!
That’s awesome, Sarah!! You’re off to an amazing start. I’m so glad you loved the casserole. Be sure to add the recipe to your family’s favorite list to make healthy meal planning so much easier in the future. 🙂
Casseroles are the best kind of winter-warmer foods and this recipe looks homey and comforting 🙂 Thank you for sharing the recipe, as well as the link to the condensed cream of chicken soup, I’ve pinned this recipe for when we have colder weather!