Saturday Share Recipe Basic Casserole Role

I've been busy writing, writing, writing. When I get immersed in a book—or four which I'm finalizing—I turn to casseroles in order to get  dinner on the table.

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

Condensed Cream Soup 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.

Joan participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon.

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