Few things say home cooking like the casserole. Casseroles are a staple of American cooking. They are what we pass at potlucks. They are the comfort food we bring to friends who are going through a rough time. They are the welcome we offer to new neighbors. In addition, they can also be a lifesaver when you need a hearty meal. Prepare a few of these on the weekend, minus the baking step, and you have home cooked meals you can pop in the oven on a rushed weeknight…and what weeknight ISN’T rushed? The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can do with casseroles. Here are a few to get you started.
Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lbs ground beef
- 2 8oz cans tomato sauce
- 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- ¼ tsp seasoned salt
- 6 corn tortillas
- 116 oz carton cottage cheese
- 4 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in skillet and drain. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and spices. Heat through.
- Grease a 9x13 pan. Layer ingredients in pan as follows: ⅓ of the meat mixture, 2 tortillas, ⅓ of the sauce, cottage cheese and shredded cheese. Repeat twice.
- Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.
Cheesy Ham and Rice Casseroles
Author: Denise Hoyle
Ingredients
- 1 can cheddar cheese soup
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1-1/2 cups instant rice, cooked
- 1 cup cooked ham, chopped or cubed
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup crushed crackers, your choice of flavor
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except cracker crumbs.
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Transfer ham mixture to dish. Sprinkle with cracker crumbs just before baking.
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes
Chicken Bake
Author: Denise Hoyle
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 pan. Place chicken breasts in pan.
- In a saucepan, combine, soup, ¾ cup cheddar cheese and milk. Heat over medium heat, constantly stirring, until cheese melts.
- Pour over chicken breasts. Just before baking, place uncooked crescent rolls over top. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until crescent rolls begin to brown.
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Photo Credit: iClipart
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