Casseroles are the ultimate comfort food that most of us remember from childhood.
Either your mom or your grandmother baked casseroles.
I think cooks of every generation learn how to make casseroles because they're easy, delicious, require few ingredients, and are mostly inexpensive.
BASIC CASSEROLE RECIPE
Long ago, an older lady with whom I worked shared this "formula" for casseroles that makes 4 hearty servings. It's easy to stock your pantry with the basic ingredients so you're always able to throw together a casserole. Just use the vegetables you like best, etc.
Basic Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup diced onion
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups cooked and drained pasta of your choice
Meat Choice
Vegetable Choice
Topping Choice (Confession: I use more than called for)
SOUP CHOICES—Select 1
Cream of Chicken
Cream of Mushroom
Cream of Golden Mushroom
Cream of Celery
Cream of Onion
MEAT CHOICE—Select 1
1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 7-ounce can solid chunk tuna, drained
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
1 1/2 cups diced cooked roast beef
VEGETABLE CHOICE—Select 1
1 cup cooked vegetables, drained
Green Peas
Baby Green Limas
Green Beans
Broccoli
Mixed Vegetables
TOPPING CHOICE—Select 1
3 tablespoons buttered bread crumbs
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1/2 cup shredded cheddar, Monterrey Jack, or Gruyere cheese (more if your family loves cheese)
1/2 cup crushed potato chips
Directions
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, saut onion until translucent, stirring often so it doesn't brown. Stir in soup, milk, and black pepper and milk well.
2. Stir in the noodles, meat, and vegetable just until combined. Avoid mixing too much and "mushing" it up.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 minutes to heat through. Stir the casserole, sprinkle with the Topping, and return to the oven to bake another 5 minutes.
Serves 4.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
That's my secret for a filling meal that tastes good and is easy to make. I always have a salad too.
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