Casseroles are wonderful. They feel like a warm hug you get in a dish. Coming right to your table, they promise a lot of comfort. They really don’t ask for much fuss from you. We just love meals that are easy to put together. Still, they bring a really big punch of flavor. Casseroles definitely fit into that idea.
These are your home-cooking heroes, you know. They work by using basic items, sometimes just pantry stuff. The oven does the whole job of blending tastes. It feels so good to put a dish into your oven. You wait for that golden top as it bubbles right up. Then, your kitchen fills with nice smells.
Just think about it this way. You spend less time standing over a hot stove. Juggling many pans stops being a problem. Usually, cleaning up means just dealing with one dish later! It feels like a win-win for dinner. This simple ease is why we keep choosing casseroles. Especially when weeknights are busy, you need dinner fast. Delicious and hearty food can be prepared quickly. Easy cooking doesn’t mean it has to be boring, anyway. Simple things can build layers of flavor together. These surprises can make people happy. Everyday meals become something your family looks forward to.
Today, let’s really get into easy casseroles. We like the ones with lots of good flavor. A special idea is for those with an Italian taste. Thinking of Italian food brings some things to mind: rich tomato sauces, tasty meats, lots of cheese bubbling, plus comforting kinds of pasta or noodles. Many easy casseroles that everyone loves capture that feel. They take simple ingredients and make them great. Dishes bursting with the flavors we want happen.
These dishes are not hard ones, like those from a nonna, maybe. They will not take hours and hours for you to make. Instead, they use easy ways to cook things. All that’s needed are ingredients you find easily. This gives you that good, Italian-style flavor profile. It happens with not much work at all, actually. Using classic items helps. Like ground beef and Italian sausage, they are helpful. Pair them with ingredients like tomato sauce. Noodles and lots of cheese work too. Let’s see some of these great baked dishes. They show you do not need all-day cooking. Enjoy rich, yummy Italian comfort food this way.
Let’s start with one truly classic casserole. It brings a regional favorite right to your own kitchen. This is the Johnny Marzetti Casserole you should try. Maybe you have not heard of Johnny Marzetti before now. Prepare to meet a dish that pretty much means comfort food. It is Italian-American-style cooking, usually home cooking. It comes mostly from Columbus, Ohio, people say. Testers thought this meal made them remember dinners at home. Honestly, that kind of food is the best.
The base for this casserole from the past is a mix. You use ground beef and a little sausage. This combination is key for flavor. Using both meats gives it a deeper taste. You will not get that with just beef. The tasty Italian sausage, just slightly spiced, runs through the dish. It makes simple beef taste even better. This helps build that signature flavor we want. It is a smart, simple way to get lots of taste right from the start.
Easy Egg Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Wire Whisk
- 1 13x9-inch Baking Dish
- 1 Knife (for testing doneness and possibly cubing bread)
- 1 Cutting Board (if cubing bread)
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pkg. Jimmy Dean® Hearty Original Sausage Crumbles
- 8 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups French bread cubes 3/4-inch pieces
- 2 cups 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- 2. Beat eggs, milk and pepper in large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended. Add bread cubes; stir gently until evenly coated. Stir in sausage crumbles and 11/2 cups cheese.
- 3. Pour into lightly greased 13x9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- 4. Bake 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 12 squares to serve.
Notes
This meat mix, which is hearty, simmers then. Mushrooms are added, along with a kind of sweet tomato sauce. The mushrooms give an earthy taste that you enjoy. They also add a nice texture.
We talked about how casseroles bring comfy meals to the tables we enjoy. Adding that delightful Italian touch makes things taste really good for dinner. But the world of easy bakes goes far beyond that, you know. They offer a whole universe of delicious possibilities, as you can see. You can find a perfect casserole for pretty much any craving.
Let’s take a peek at these other simple wonders, shall we? You want a side dish that combines classic and new flavors sometimes. Corn pudding is a fantastic old casserole recipe, as you can see. This version upgrades it wonderfully. Shredded zucchini, along with corn and cheese, is mixed in.
There’s enough delicious food for everybody at the table. How about combining comfort foods that you would not think of? Sloppy Joe Casserole mixes sloppy joes and pasta. Yes, it really works, and you will like it, it says. This has homemade sloppy joe stuff with bell peppers.
Glazed Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Loaf Pan Standard size for meatloaf
- 1 Mixing Bowl For glaze
- 1 Measuring Spoons For glaze ingredients
- 1 Pastry Brush or Spatula For applying glaze
Ingredients
Main
- ½ recipe Ground-Meat Mix about 1 ¾ pounds
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, combine Dijon mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to make the glaze.
- Lightly grease or line a loaf pan.
- Gently shape the ground-meat mix into a loaf that fits into the prepared pan or shape freestanding on a baking sheet.
- Place the shaped meatloaf in the pan or on the baking sheet.
- Spoon about half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- During the last 10-15 minutes of baking, brush the remaining glaze over the meatloaf.
- Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Plenty of seasonings are in it too, adding flavor. The text says to use a Manwich can if you’re in a pinch. It makes the process quick, depending on what you have. Back to Tex-Mex, Tamale Pie is called a Tex-Mex casserole. It features a ground beef filling with a cornbread crust. This recipe uses enchilada sauce and green chiles, as you can see.
It uses canned enchilada sauce and green chiles for flavor. A boxed corn muffin mix is used for the topping, which is crucial. You cook and bake it all in one pan, as you know. Using one oven-safe skillet cuts down on dishes, yes.
Returning to noodle bakes now, let’s see this one. Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole is an old-fashioned dish with noodles. It is full of egg noodles and a quick meat mix. The egg noodles get coated in a creamy mix before being layered. Mix sour cream and cream cheese for the creamy coating, as you can see.
Three cheeses on top make it really decadent, as you know. Cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses go on top, it says. Everyone loves a baked potato, right? Imagine all that comfort in a casserole made really fast. The Twice Baked Potato Dump Casserole bakes up golden and bubbly.
Chipotle Tamale Pie
Equipment
- 1 8-inch Baking Dish
- 1 Nonstick Skillet Large enough to brown meat and combine filling
- 1 Mixing Bowl For preparing cornbread batter
- 1 Spoon For pressing the filling
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Main
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 8-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 chipotle chiles plus 1 teaspoon adobo sauce, from can chipotle in adobo
- 1 cup grated Cheddar
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 8.5-ounce package cornbread mix
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Grease an 8-inch baking dish with the butter and set it aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, the onions, green peppers, and garlic and cook until the turkey is no longer pink and is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat and sprinkle the meat mixture with the cumin.
- Add the beans, tomatoes, chiles and adobo sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until heated through and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and stir in the cheese and cilantro.
- Spread the turkey mixture in the prepared baking dish, pressing down on it with the back of a spoon to make an even, compact layer.
- Combine the cornbread mix with milk and egg. Spread the cornbread batter over the turkey mixture and bake until the cornbread is golden-brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the tamale pie stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
Purchased mashed potatoes make putting it together super fast, yes. This dump casserole has bacon and cheese. It might be perfect served next to steak, you know. Cabbage rolls offer comfort, but a lot of work is involved now. Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole simplifies the baking process. It turns the hard work of making cabbage rolls into a simple bake.
Ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and cabbage are inside it. These make up the bulk of this easy comfort meal, as you can see. It’s a clever way to enjoy the beloved taste easily now. Finally, adding some spice to a classic, the Cajun Mac And Cheese gives a flavorful twist to classic mac and cheese. It brings heat with andouille sausage and pepper Jack cheese.
Cajun seasoning adds some kick to it. It has a spicy kick but is also creamy, yes. The creaminess ensures that a wide audience enjoys it. Easy bakes truly bring exciting new flavors to the table.
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For browning and simmering
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife For chopping vegetables
- 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups
- 1 Large Baking Dish Approx. 9x13 inch
Ingredients
Main
- 1 lb ground chuck
- 1 onion chopped
- 8 cups cabbage cut into 1 inch wide strips (half of a 3 lb. cabbage)
- 1/2 cup water
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground chuck over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
- Drain off any excess fat from the pot.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the cabbage strips and water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to wilt and soften, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, white vinegar, salt, caraway seeds, and garlic powder to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Pour the entire mixture from the pot into a large baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Looking at these dishes reveals comfort and flavor in simplicity. Another tater tot idea is similar to green bean casserole. It draws from a dish that lots of people love, as you can see. The inclusion of Worcestershire sauce makes this one feel special now. That’s an easy way to ramp up the flavor inside. It’s also very flexible, it says.
This flexibility and the simple flavor boost make it a go-to option. Looking for something that truly lives up to the promise of being effortless? You want something effortless that pleases everyone, yes. That Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole is exactly what you’re looking for now.
The name tells you: just dump the ingredients in and bake. People who reviewed it said to add mushrooms for more flavor. Adding mushrooms is a simple tip to boost the taste, it is. This helps boost the taste in a dish that’s already easy to make, as you can see. Step back in time with Retro Ground Beef Casserole, you know. This dish has likely been on family tables since the 1950s.
Ground beef and veggies are cooked in creamy gravy, it says. The gravy is flavored with onions and garlic, as you know. The whole thing gets baked with Bisquick biscuits on top now. For an easier way, the text says to use canned biscuits, as you can see.
Taco Taters
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish Or similar size casserole dish
- 1 Mixing Spoon
- 1 Measuring Cups/Spoons (for taco seasoning)
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 15.25 ounce can corn
- 1 8 ounce jar salsa
- 1 ounce processed cheese such as Velveeta®
- 1 ounce cream cheese
- 1 package taco seasoning mix
- 1 16 ounce package frozen bite-size potato nuggets (such as Tater Tots®)
- 1 4 ounce can sliced black olives
- 1 4 ounce can diced jalapeno peppers
- 4 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 8 ounce container sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven according to the tater tot package instructions, typically around 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart.
- Drain excess fat from the browned ground beef.
- Stir in the taco seasoning mix, salsa, processed cheese, and cream cheese into the skillet with the beef; cook until cheeses are melted and sauce is well combined.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in the drained corn, sliced black olives, and diced jalapeno peppers.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the frozen bite-size potato nuggets (tater tots) in a single layer over the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the layer of tater tots.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot with sour cream.
Notes
This keeps retro comfort alive with modern shortcuts. We touched on Johnny Marzetti, but let’s take a look at the key parts. Mix Italian sausage and ground beef for the base, as you can see. Our testers felt it reminded them of old times, you know. This surely highlights the comfort aspect of it.
Serve it with a green salad and crusty bread, as you can see. Maybe you want a chicken meal that’s just right for your diners. The Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is a classic for this reason. It’s one of our top recipes saved by people online.
It has cheesy rice sitting atop creamy chicken, as you can see. People are going to ask for this dish again and again, you can bet on it. Why? Because it makes dinner feel easy and taste good now. For those who love simplicity, the 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole is there. It’s perfect for meat-and-potato fans, you know that.
Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For cooking pasta and potentially the sauce
- 1 Large Skillet For browning meat and vegetables
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and baking the casserole
- 1 Colander For draining pasta
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For cooking and mixing
Ingredients
Main
- cooking spray
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
- 0.75 cup chopped onion
- 0.25 cup chopped celery
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 14.4 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
- 1.5 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain using a colander.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook, breaking up the meat, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion, celery, garlic, and minced green bell pepper to the skillet with the meat. Cook until vegetables are softened.
- Season the meat and vegetable mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the meat sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Layer half of the shredded Italian cheese blend over the pasta, then add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture. Top with the remaining Italian cheese blend and the shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly, potentially covering initially and uncovering to brown the cheese.
Notes
It includes frozen cubed potatoes to simplify the process. Shortcuts like canned cream soup also help, it says. Keep the ingredient list down to five items by using these ingredients. This proves that you don’t need many ingredients for a comforting meal.
It shows that you don’t need a long list of ingredients ever. The internet has some favorite casseroles, and Million Dollar Spaghetti is one of them. It’s called an internet favorite for a good reason, you know. Mix ground beef with your favorite marinara sauce, as you can see. That gets layered with a creamy cheese mixture afterward. The result is like an easy lasagna for weeknight dinners after baking.
You get layered, cheesy goodness without the fuss of lasagna sheets. Simple dishes like broccoli and cheese become a beloved side dish. Broccoli-Cheese Casserole is a crowd-pleaser, they say. Even kids love this one; it pleases a crowd, perhaps.
Everyone comes back for seconds of this cheesy veggie dish. This shows how simple ingredients like broccoli can be loved. The context lists more bakes that are both easy and delicious. Baked Ravioli is called lazy lasagna, and it kind of is. It gets a layered look with little effort, similar to what you can see. You just use your favorite package of frozen ravioli, yes.
The recipe says to add vegetables easily to this dish, you know. Mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach are good to include. Adding veggies helps stretch the recipe and adds nutrition. Here’s another twist on tater tots, with a flavor boost.
Cowboy Casserole uses bacon to make the tot bake even better. Vegetables like bell pepper, onion, and corn are in it. The filling includes beef, sausage, and cream of mushroom soup. Bacon makes everything better, and this casserole surely shows it. Bacon just makes all things better, truly it does.
Cheesy Vegetable Manicotti
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet For cooking vegetables
- 1 Medium Bowl For cooling vegetables and mixing filling
- 1 Food Processor or Knife/Cutting Board For preparing the tomato sauce
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- 1 Resealable Plastic Bag & Scissors For piping the filling
Ingredients
Main
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 small zucchini finely diced
- 1 small yellow squash finely diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- One 15-ounce container whole-milk ricotta
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 large egg beaten
- One 28-ounces can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- Neutral oil or nonstick cooking spray for the baking dish
- 12 manicotti shells cooked according to package instructions and drained
- 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- For the filling: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the zucchini and yellow squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the squash softens but is not mushy, about 4 minutes. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and let cool.
- Add the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the cooled vegetables. Stir to combine.
- For the tomato sauce: In a food processor, pulse the tomatoes with their juices until they are coarsely ground or chop the tomatoes by hand. Transfer them to a bowl, add the salt and pepper, then stir in the basil.
- For the manicotti: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with oil or cooking spray.
- Transfer the filling mixture to a large resealable plastic bag. Snip a large hole out of one corner of the bag with scissors and use the bag to pipe the mixture into the cooked manicotti shells.
- Spread about 1 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place the manicotti shells into the baking dish. Spread the remaining sauce over the manicotti. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tex-Mex flavors are always a good fit for easy bakes. Burrito Bake uses crescent roll dough instead of tortillas, as is usual. Crescent roll dough creates a buttery crust on the bottom now. That’s an interesting twist, it is. Canned refried beans are added for protein and fiber, you know. Adding beans also helps keep your budget friendly, you know.
It says not to skip fresh toppings like lettuce and tomato. The Smoky Cheesy Chicken-Potato Casserole is a good example. Let’s discuss some clever shortcuts then. Using frozen hash browns cuts down on prep time a lot, you can see. Cream of chicken soup also helps save a lot of time now.
To achieve that smoky flavor needed, use deli-smoked chicken wisely. This recipe is perfect for really busy weeknights, you know. Loaded Cauliflower Casserole lets you enjoy veggies in a decadent way. Enjoy vegetables in a decadent, loaded-potato style with this dish. This rich bake contains cream cheese, sour cream, and bacon inside. It also has chives and two types of cheese, yes it does.
It proves that healthy-ish food can be indulgent and easy to make now. It shows that healthy-ish food can still be easy to prepare and delicious. Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic dish to make. Chicken and Rice Casserole is called a classic; it’s hard to resist. This traditional dish has chopped chicken and a rice mix. It contains a mix of long-grain and wild rice inside, it says.
Celery, onion, mushroom soup, and water chestnuts go in there. Also, sour cream and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese are added too now. Toasted almonds on top make it feel more special. Let’s see other ways ground beef makes casseroles shine.
Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole, they say, is a classic noodle bake. Grandma’s Hamburger Casserole is a basic egg noodle bake, they say. It starts with ground beef that’s all browned up, it does. You add some tomato sauce, then layer it with noodles. Use a creamy mix of cream cheese and sour cream inside.
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Medium Pot For cooking rice
- 1 Large Skillet For making the sauce
- 1 9x13 inch Casserole Dish For baking
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and combining
Ingredients
Main
- Two 6-ounce boxes long-grain and wild rice mix such as Uncle Ben's
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for greasing dish
- 16 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced, or two 4 1/2-ounce cans sliced mushrooms, drained (reserve the liquid)
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 4 cooked boneless skinless chicken breast halves, diced
- 1 cup toasted slivered almonds coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced pimientos
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the long-grain and wild rice mixes according to the package directions. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the mushrooms and onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Stir in the flour, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly stir the broth (and reserved canned mushroom liquid if using) into the onion mixture, then stir in the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture has thickened, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Add the chicken, rice, toasted almonds, pimientos, parsley, salt and pepper into the wet mixture. Pour everything into the prepared casserole dish and bake, uncovered, until most of the liquid has been absorbed, 30 to 45 minutes.
Notes
And of course, lots of cheese is layered on top. In the Unstuffed Peppers casserole, large pieces of bell pepper seem to be kept. Stuffed cabbage is unstuffed, and so can unstuffed peppers be now. Bell pepper pieces are kept large so that you notice them. Breadcrumbs are used as a topping, which makes it unique. You can use just cheese if that’s what you want.
It is a great way to enjoy the flavor of stuffed peppers with less work. Taco Rice Casserole uses rice as a base, it does. Here is another taco dish that uses rice on the bottom. It mixes taco beef, beans, corn, and tomatoes inside. It is designed to make two large casseroles, they say. This makes it perfect for freezing one for later consumption.
Plan ahead now and thank yourself later, you see. Let’s think about how many ways there are to make taco beef casserole. It turns out there are tons of them, really. Beef and Bean Taco Casserole is shining brightly.
Unstuffed Peppers Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven For browning meat and cooking vegetables
- 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and baking the casserole
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and breaking up meat
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement
- 1 Cutting Board and Knife For chopping vegetables
Ingredients
Main
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 cup celery chopped
- 2 large bell peppers cut in 1-inch squares
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon celery flakes optional
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese or Cheddar Jack blend
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart; drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the bell peppers, salt, celery flakes (if using), black pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Stir in the cooked rice.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Top evenly with shredded Cheddar or Cheddar Jack cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Jarred salsa and beans simmer with beef and spices. Put this tasty mix on top of tortilla chips. It makes a layered dish with crunchy chips on top. The chip topping gets really crunchy after baking, you see. Ground beef is truly a budget hero. Stretching one pound to feed a family is an art, yes.
Casseroles are hearty, comforting, and beloved dishes. If you’ve got ground beef from a sale, you see, turning it into delicious, easy casseroles is the perfect answer. The Creamy Chicken-inspired Marry Me Chicken Casserole did just that. Marry Me Chicken Casserole is always irresistible in baked form. It uses the same key ingredients as the skillet version.
Sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano, and cream are used, you see. This casserole is served over a bed of rice, you know. This makes it an easy bake-and-take dish for sure. Think about needing a dish for a potluck or dinner tonight. That Eight-Layer Casserole comes to mind right away.
It is an easy comfort dish perfect for sharing with people. It has layers of beef, noodles, and veggies with cheese on top. It sounds like it will be a reliable family food staple. Social media trends do give us great recipes.
Kheema: Indian Ground Beef with Peas
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
Main
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- One 1-inch thumb fresh ginger peeled and minced
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon store-bought or Homemade Garam Masala recipe follows
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne optional
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shucked fresh English peas or 1/2 cup frozen peas thawed
- 2 teaspoons malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus a few extra leaves for garnish
- 4 chapatis or pitas warmed
- 3 large cinnamon sticks if you have the kind you get at Indian stores, it's about 3 tablespoons of cinnamon bark bits
- 3 tablespoons whole cloves
- 1/4 cup green cardamom pods shelled, husks discarded (about 2 tablespoons of seeds)
- 4 large black cardamom pods shelled, husks discarded (about 1 tablespoon of seeds), optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until golden. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute for another minute. Stir in the coriander, paprika, Garam Masala, cumin and cayenne, if using and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef, breaking up lumps with a spoon, and saute until the meat is no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup of water and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in the fresh English peas. Stir well and simmer, partially covered, about 10 minutes or if using frozen peas, add them now, and cook another 5 minutes, partially covered.
- Stir in the vinegar and chopped cilantro. Garnish with torn cilantro leaves and serve with warm chapatis or pita bread.
Notes
Read more about: Comfort Foods That Taste Just Like Grandma Made (Including Some Wild Card Favorites)
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For cooking the chicken
- 1 Medium Pot For boiling broccoli
- 1 Large Bowl For mixing casserole ingredients
- 1 9x13 Baking Dish
- 1 Colander For draining chicken and broccoli
Ingredients
Main
- Nonstick cooking spray or butter for the baking dish
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium head broccoli cut into small florets
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- One 10-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 10 ounces Cheddar grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- Place the chicken in a large pot with water to cover. Add some salt, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook the chicken until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the chicken, cover, and refrigerate until cool, or up to 24 hours. Shred.
- Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets, and boil until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread the rice in an even layer in the baking dish. Make a second layer with the broccoli. In a large bowl, mix the chicken soup, the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, shredded chicken, half the Cheddar and some salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the broccoli and top with the remaining Cheddar. Bake for 40 minutes; let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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