It's so cold outside that schools have actually closed. I don't remember that happening when I was a child, even though I have a vivid memory of a wind chill of -100 degrees F on my birthday in the 1970s. Still, everyone is hunkering down, so this is a good time for The Weekend Cook to make a comeback. These easy and delicious recipes will help keep you warm and make staying inside seem much more attractive.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

For an easy and heartwarming dinner, make this casserole that combines turkey or chicken with pesto, hash brown potatoes, and vegetables. You can make the casserole ahead of time; just refrigerate until it's time to eat, then add 10-15 minutes to the baking time. This is also a good casserole to freeze.

• Turkey Pesto Casserole
• Pear and Greens Salad
• Chewy Gooey Bars

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

These cakes should be in everyone's repertoire. They are easy to make, hearty, and simple enough so you can make them for dinner any night of the week. From Peanut Butter Bundt Cake to Pineapple Cake and Chocolate Oatmeal Cakes, these recipes will satisfying anyone's sweet tooth.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Lasagna is one of those classic recipes that is hearty, inexpensive, and filling, yet it impressive to serve and delicious to eat. All you do is layer noodles, cooked or uncooked, with a red sauce and a cheese mixture. Remember that if you choose to use uncooked noodles that cook with all the other ingredients, they will be 'al dente', with a bit of chewiness. Lasagna can be made in the microwave, the crockpot, the oven, or on top of the stove. Enjoy these recipes, including my personal favorite, Skillet Tex Mex Lasagna.

_{Photo © 2009 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}