Casserole recipes are our saving grace throughout fall and winter—they’re hearty, creamy, and often come with a built-in crispy topping. But first, you might be wondering, What exactly makes something a casserole? The name itself comes from the French word for “saucepan,” so here at BA we define casseroles as baked one-pan meals. Sweet or savory, they rely on the heat from an oven to unite—melt, roast, and caramelize—all the disparate ingredients into a whole. Casseroles are truly the sum of their parts! Think cheesy gratin, oozy lasagna, jammy fruit cobbler, and shepherd’s pie. Here we’ve rounded up our favorite casserole recipes.