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Weekends are the perfect time to experiment with baking. Amateurs may require time to assemble and measure ingredients, master preheating techniques and observe the baking process at leisure. A weekly day off works best to immerse oneself in such culinary activities. And when it comes to baking, casseroles can be some of the easiest options for an amateur to get the hang of this cooking technique. 
Easy-to-make, uncomplicated and quite forgiving, some simple casseroles seldom require too much intricate decoration or complex layering. With just a few ingredients and basic cooking, straightforward baked casseroles can become the showstoppers at your Sunday luncheons, as you upgrade your baking skills.
Creamy Veggie And Pasta Casserole
This is a good starting point for a beginner baker as it requires very little handling or complicated measuring. Sautéed vegetables like carrots, corn, beans, mushrooms and capsicum can be brought together with boiled pasta, a classic béchamel and cheese in this simple recipe. 
Season the pasta with salt and pepper before layering. Start with the vegetables as the base, followed by the pasta and the sauce. One casserole might carry two full such layers. Finish the dish off with lots of grated cheddar or mozzarella and set it to bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese bubbles. Keep the sauce slightly thin so it spreads all over the veggie and pasta layers.
Baked Chicken And Rice Casserole
This one is for the culinary enthusiast who understands comfort food that also carries rich flavours. Chicken can be cooked in an assortment of herbs like rosemary, thyme and some oregano. Sprinkle red wine in the sauce pan as it cooks. Now, bring the chicken and brown rice together and finish off with a splash of light cream or milk.
Mix all the ingredients together and set them inside the casserole. Bake everything together for at least half an hour. Leftover roast chicken can also be used to save time while making this casserole dish. Make sure the rice is only partially steamed before popping it in the oven. It will cook perfectly and turn soft and fluffy as the casserole bakes.
Spinach And Corn Cheesy Bake
A delicious and indulgent serving with a side of sourdough or rye bread, this bake is all about exploring the creaminess of cheese sauce as it mingles with the leafy flavour of blanched spinach and the sweetness of corn.
Add some minced garlic to the cream sauce along with a white pepper sprinkling for more flavour. Finish the casserole off with shredded mozzarella. Rather than layering the ingredients, mix them together so their flavours interact with each other. A simple finish of processed cheese at the top should be enough to introduce that classic golden crisp into this cheese bake. The mozzarella will heat up and melt inside the casserole itself producing a very rich, creamy density
Potato And Mushroom Gratin Casserole
Working with potatoes and mushrooms is as simple as it can get for an amateur baker. This casserole is creamy and striking, but quite easy to make. Layer thinly sliced potatoes at the base of a round casserole dish and top this off with mushrooms sautéed in butter and garlic.
A true delight for vegetarians, the creamy quotient in this dish will come from a simple milk or cheese drizzle finished off with a layer of cheese. The potatoes will turn lightly crisp yet quite soft as the dish bakes for about 25 minutes into a ready gratin-style serve.
Egg And Bread Brunch Casserole
A recipe ideal for leisurely weekend meals, this egg sandwich and quiche crossover is the perfect easy bake option for amateurs, very simple and quite hard to mess up. Essentially a savoury bread pudding, all you need to prepare this casserole is cubed bread, some beaten eggs, milk, lightly sautéed carrots and shallots and cheese.
Deliciously creamy and quite filling, the casserole can be served with fresh fruits and coffee for brunch. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing so the cooked bread and eggs settle well.
