Sponsored by Grills Forever Casseroles are the perfect examples of comfort food we often crave. Being a one-dish meal, serving just a simple salad with it would suffice. You can make casseroles as cheesy as you want, so it’s equally delicious for those who prefer that and those who don’t. Casseroles can be dished up as easy appetizers, side dishes and main dishes, too. While people often make casseroles in the oven, I decided to try something different. I was able to successfully make the perfect casserole with nothing but an electric smoker! If you are thinking that casseroles can only be baked in an oven, then I just proved you wrong! Don’t worry, the process is not too different from the oven-baking process. With the correct mix of ingredients and grilling techniques, you can have the most delicious casserole you ever tasted. I have also given a casserole recipe that I did in the oven, in case you don’t feel like grilling or using the smoker. BBQ Chicken Casserole This is the awesome chicken casserole recipe I was talking about doing in the smoker. The process is not too complicated as you will see. Just grab a grill and the ingredients and work your grilling magic. Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil one finely sliced onion 2.2 pounds of chicken pieces (including drumsticks and thighs) 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 carrots, chopped into small chunks 20 oz. (600 ml) of warmed chicken stock 1 pound of potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces 2 stalks of celery, sliced 2 leeks, chopped finely 1 tablespoon of leveled, plain flour 2 cups of water 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary a lemon, cut in half

Directions Now that you have the ingredients all sorted out, it’s time to get grilling!

1. Set your grill smoker to its highest temperature setting. This is similar to preheating an oven. (In case you’re wondering if you might need the oven anytime soon -- Well, you won’t!) Grilling expert, Dan Morrison, says that Masterbuilt smokers work best for making casseroles compared to average grills.

2. Take a pan and pour olive oil into it. Saute the onions in the oil for around 20 seconds. Take an aluminium foil container and place the sauteed onions into it. Add the chicken pieces, garlic, carrots, potatoes, celery, leeks, and chicken stock, and properly mix them together. Stir the flour into the water, and add to the mix. Finally, add rosemary sprigs. Squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon; place the other half piece of lemon inside the container as well. Do not cover the aluminium foil container. (The water is added to ensure that the risk of burning the ingredients is low.)

3. Check to see if the grilling temperature has reached 700 degrees F. Once the grill has reached this temperature, place the casserole inside the grill. Cover up the grill with a lid.

4. You don’t need to open the lid and check on how the food is doing. Resist that temptation, and just wait for approximately 20 minutes.

5. Remove the casserole from the grill / smoker. Your casserole will be smoking hot, ready for serving at your barbecue event.

Baked Potato Casserole Dish  If you’re not up for grilling and would rather stick to the traditional baking method, here is a recipe for you that combines yummy potatoes, turkey bacon and cheddar cheese to create the most perfect side dish. Ingredients

8 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 cup of low-fat milk 1/2 cup of light sour cream 1 tsp. of salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 6 turkey bacon slices (cooked and crumbled into pieces) Optional ingredient -- use sliced green onions

Directions

1. First, place the potato chunks into a saucepan with enough water to cover the potatoes, and heat to a boil. Cook the potatoes until they appear to be tender (around 15-20 minutes). Drain the water from the pan.

2. Take a casserole dish and grease it. Then preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Add milk, sour cream, pepper and salt to the saucepan containing potatoes and beat the mixture with a handheld mixer until it appears to be smooth.

4. Add 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese and half of the measured bacon into the saucepan. Mix well and then place the mixture in the greased casserole dish.

5. Place the casserole dish into the oven and bake for 25 minutes until the dish is heated through well. Then sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over top; additionally, if desired use green onions and remaining bacon as extra toppings. Continue baking for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts.

You could assemble this casserole ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. If baking after refrigeration, you could cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes instead of 25 minutes. Uncover the dish and use toppings as before and again bake for 3 minutes. Why Grill Instead Of Bake? When I told my friends that I ended up grilling a casserole instead of baking one, they were surprised. However, they were even more shocked when they tasted that unique smoky flavor of the casserole. The next time we went outdoor camping, we grilled the casserole and made a few other dishes, having one of the best camping nights ever. Casseroles are easy to make and don't take much time to prepare, making them ideal for outdoor cooking or BBQ party grilling. If you’re looking for party grilling ideas, you can read more here. So, the next time you go out to grill, try grilling different chicken casserole recipes and experiment. Of course, baking also has its advantages. Baked casseroles can be refrigerated easily, and have lower risk of burning.  While it is possible to create a stew-like casserole in an oven, it's harder to do the same with a grill.   One of the best things about a casserole is the ability to increase its nutritional value by adding more vegetables (particularly those high in vitamin A and C). The fiber and protein content in casseroles makes it a good dish for people who are regularly into fitness training. Casseroles can also serve as main dishes, and kids often love having casseroles for lunch. Preparing a breakfast casserole before setting out to work would be an excellent way to kickstart your morning. Whether you choose to bake or grill your chicken casserole, that’s completely up to you. You could even try preparing casseroles using a stove. It doesn’t have to be chicken; there are so many kinds of casseroles, including egg, fish, ground beef, mushrooms and vegetable casseroles. Add some variety to yours by experimenting with various herbs and spices to mix the flavors up. Casseroles could be slow cooked to produce dishes that are similar to stews (just add a little more liquid). Experiment and create your own casserole any way you want -- whether you choose to bake, grill or slow cook on a stove.