Summer’s arrived, and with it, backyards full of barbecues and potlucks overflowing with sunshine, smiles, and good food. When popular food receives its time in the sun, something magic happens to those old, stand-by recipes that taste like a big warm hug yesterday. These are the recipes that quietly step into the limelight without trying, drawing hordes of people with their uncomplicated, comforting taste. Get ready to fall in love once more with timeless favorites that attest to eternal taste always wins.
You can picture it: a busy potluck table with lots of options, but all the guests loading up their plates with that single item. These are not sophisticated recipes, but they’re the ones no one can resist stuffing into their mouths, often with sentimental associations of family gatherings or grandma’s house. They’re easy, tested, and bursting with flavor that never disappoints. Let’s add 14 party-perfect favorites that’ll make you the MVP of the potluck.
From wings smoky to casseroles rich, these recipes are the essence of happiness and nostalgia that melt in every mouthful. They are the back-of-the-scenes, unsung heroes that vanish in a flash, leaving only bare plates and smiling people demanding your recipes. Cling to these “out-of-trend” treasures to your heart, and your next gathering will be the stuff of legend with flavors that span time.
1. Smoked Dill Pickle Wings
Smoked Dill Pickle Wings put a fearless twist on a BBQ classic, marrying smoky depth with dill pickle texture. Buffalo sauce, farewell these wings are a flavor bomb that’s both surprising and delicious. They’re a dish individuals will be talking about at a potluck. Prepare them, and folks will be talking about you.
The trick lies in the union of smoky char and dill pickle bite, a wing that is recognizable but essentially altered. They crunch with a crisp bite, are juicy but never wet, and pack such zing that they’ll lure folks back time and time again. Perfect for game-day get-togethers or just lounging about, they’re a total crowd-pleaser. These wings aren’t on your plate these wings disappear.
Why are they a potluck success? They’re simple to grab, packed with strong flavor, and the first to be gone. Your friends will be battling for the recipe come nighttime. Here’s why they’re a success:
- Why They’re a Hit: Tangy-smoky mix is crowd-pleasing.
- Pro Tip: Serve with additional pickle slices for added zip.
- Crowd Appeal: Everyone enjoys, from children to wing enthusiasts.
2. Grandma’s Pumpkin Bread with Streusel
Grandma’s Pumpkin Bread with Streusel is a flavor of a crisp autumn morning in every bite, all warm and comforting. The sweet, spiced loaf and the sweet, crunchy streusel are a warm hug from grandma. It’s not dessert it’s home. Everyone attending the potluck is going to be fighting over a piece (or three).
The pumpkin bread’s soft texture pairs perfectly with the buttery, crumbly streusel, creating a delightful contrast. Each bite bursts with warm spices and just the right sweetness, making it feel indulgent yet familiar. It’s the kind of treat that brings people together. You’ll see smiles as guests reminisce about their own family recipes.
This bread is a potluck winner because it’s simple to serve but still makes everybody feel special. It’s a party standout, being gone in two shakes of a lamb’s tail as everybody is standing in line for seconds. It’s a crowd-pleaser because of the following:
- Nostalgia Factor: Brings back memories of family reunions.
- Versatile Pairing: Tastes fabulous with coffee or as a dessert.
- Recipe Requests: Get ready to give out the recipe-it’s guaranteed!
3. Smoked Chicken Tortilla Bites
This is truly the ideal party finger food for compressing so much taste into such a tiny package. This has to be break-proof in order to withstand due to the combination of crispy tortillas and smoky chicken. Perfect for partying at potlucks because there are no utensils required. Watch them disappear before your hands even get on one!
The chicken is so full of depth of flavor, and the tortilla gives a nice crunch. Bite-sized flavor bombs that are mess-free and easy enough to grab in two seconds. They’re the type of appetizer that really is a miniature meal. Guests will be reaching back over and over again for “just one more.”
These bites are a potluck hit at any gathering since they’re easy and everybody loves ’em. They’re a make-them-talk and clean-the-plate phenomenon. Why they’re a potluck hit:
- Grab-and-Go: No fuss, all taste-bud heaven.
- Bold Taste: Smoky and crunchy, the crowd is crazy about it.
- Easy Prep: Easy to prepare, but tastes like a gourmet meal.
4. Sloppy Joe Casserole
Sloppy Joe Casserole turns the sloppy, iconic Sloppy Joe sandwich into a potluck sensation to share. Filled with all the sweet, tangy, meaty flavor of standard Sloppy Joe, but in scoopable comfort food-sized bites. Comfort food bite for bite that screams nostalgia. Crowd-pleaser, nostalgia king.
No buns, no mess just saucy beef and cheesy goodness all baked up in layers. Easy to serve and fills plates full of comfort flavors of the good old days. Adults and children will chow down in glee. A party pleaser casserole.
Why is it always gone? It’s comforting, filling, and everyone loves it, so it’s always a hit at any party. Here’s why it’s a winner:
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults will love the classic Sloppy Joe taste.
- Serves Many: Perfect for a famished crowd of potluck diners.
- No-Fuss Serving: Scoop and serve no sandwich assembly required.
Sloppy Joe and Macaroni Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
- 1 Large Pot For cooking macaroni
- 1 Casserole Dish Approximately 9×13 inch
- 1 Mixing Bowl Small
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
Main
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80-to-85-percent lean
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 cup beef broth
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni with ridges
- 2 cups shredded yellow Cheddar
- 1/2 cup chopped crisp deli-style dill pickles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine the brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Heat the EVOO in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned. Season with salt and lots of pepper. Add the garlic, bell peppers and onions and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Pour the tomato mixture over the beef, add the beef broth and stir until well combined. Simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until not quite tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and add to the sauce. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the cheese.
- Bake until the casserole is bubbling and the top is browned. Top with the pickles and serve from the dish.
Notes
5. Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon brings sophistication to the potluck without snobbery. This rich, comforting long-cooked stew packed with tender fall-apart beef and decadent stock is a hug in a bowl. It’s a classic tradition that has huge, comforting flavor. Your guests will dine like royalty with every bite.
The key to the dish is the slow-cooked ingredients, which combine beef, wine, and herbs into a hearty dish. It’s comforting but refined, so it’s perfectly suitable for cold winter evenings or special occasions. Each bite is testament to the fact that this recipe has survived for so long. It’s luxury comfort food.
This stew is a potluck hit because it’s upscale and yet earthy. It doesn’t care to be served all by itself with bread or as a side so there won’t be leftovers. Why it’s a crowd-pleaser:
- Delicious Robust Flavor: Upscale, full-bodied tastes which dance on each taste bud.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Even better the second day.
- Crowd Impressee: Doesn’t have that stuffy-gourmet taste but is extremely easy to serve.
Beef Bourguignon
Equipment
- 1 Large Glass or Ceramic Bowl For marinating the beef.
- 1 Large Heavy-Bottomed Skillet Essential for browning beef, cooking bacon, and building the sauce base.
- 1 Slotted Spoon For transferring solids while retaining liquids in the pan.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Whisk For scraping fond and whisking roux smoothly.
- 1 Large Casserole or Baking Dish For oven-braising the bourguignon to tender perfection.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 cups Burgundy wine
- 2 onions thinly sliced
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 10 whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 sprig fresh parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 pounds cubed beef chuck roast
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ pound bacon cubed
- 2 onions chopped
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 10.5 ounce can beef broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound fresh mushrooms sliced
Instructions
- For the marinade: Mix wine, sliced onions, carrots, brandy, garlic, peppercorns, salt, parsley, and bay leaf in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add beef and toss to evenly coat; cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 days.
- For the bourguignon: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Strain beef from the marinade and shake off excess; pat dry with paper towels. Strain vegetables and set aside; reserve marinade. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef in batches; cook until browned on all sides. Transfer browned beef into a separate medium bowl; set aside.
- Add bacon to the same skillet; cook and stir until lightly browned. Transfer bacon to the bowl with browned beef. Drain the skillet and return it to the heat. Pour 1 cup of reserved marinade into the skillet; bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return this liquid to the reserved marinade.
- Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet. Add chopped onions; cook and stir until just tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in reserved onions and carrots from the marinade; mix well, then use a slotted spoon to transfer vegetables into the bowl with beef.
- Return the skillet to the heat; stir flour in pan drippings until browned, about 1 or 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste until combined. Add beef broth, remaining reserved marinade, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, whisking to remove any flour lumps; pour over beef mixture in the bowl. Transfer beef mixture into a casserole or baking dish.
- Cook in the preheated oven until beef is tender, about 3 hours; stir occasionally and add water if needed.
- About 10 minutes before serving, melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes; stir mushrooms into beef mixture until well combined.
Notes
6. Buttermilk Banana Cake
Buttermilk Banana Cake is one of those desserts that takes you back to standing in the kitchen with grandma and its deep, moist flavor. The banana sweetness and buttermilk tang dance together with one another like a ballerina and her partner. It’s a dessert that is a hug in cake form. This cake won’t last long in any potluck.
This cake is sophisticated, not at all that plain banana bread, with a tender crumb and deep flavor that’s nothing less than comfort food. It’s old-fashioned but self-controlled, so it’s a perfect dessert to have on hand for anything. Guests will be drawn in by the aroma and stay for the bite. Second helpings are sure and requests for the recipe.
The secret to this cake is that it satisfies all taste buds, from kids to sugar addicts. Bite of heaven that disappears in no time. Top reasons that step aside:
- Worldwide Appeal: Sweet, sour, and devoured by children and adults.
- Simple to Share: Slices beautifully for potluck delight.
- Flavorful Remembrance: Takes a superior position over more sophisticated sweets.
Banana Cake
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Baking Pan
- 1 Electric Mixer Handheld or stand mixer
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 2 Medium/Small mixing bowls For dry ingredients and bananas
- 1 Rubber Spatula or Whisk
Ingredients
Main
- 1 ½ cups mashed bananas
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ⅛ cups white sugar
- ¾ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Make cake: Mix mashed bananas with lemon juice in a small bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Pour batter into the prepared pan. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Remove cake from the oven and place it directly into the freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very moist. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Meanwhile, make frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Add confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Spread frosting on cooled cake. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Serve and enjoy! Allrecipes / Abbey Littlejohn
Notes
7. Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans
Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans are the perfect side dish, a little bit of Southern charm in every potluck. They get slowly browned to perfection, soaking up deep, rich, smoky flavor that will feel like coming home. They’re a hug in a plate. They’re requisite on the side of any main course.
The slow cooker does all the work for you, simmering beans in deep, bacony flavor that is irresistible. They stay firm but loaded with flavor, and they go great with fried chicken or barbecue. Guests will heap their plates high, enjoying the flavor of tradition. It’s a show-stopping side.
Why do they enjoy this bean at a potluck? They’re easy, tasty, and everyone craves them with no fussy preparation. These are the reasons they’re great:
- Comfort Classic: Brings to mind Southern family dinners.
- Set-and-Forget: Easy prep because of slow cooker.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Complements any potluck offering.
8. Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat Recipe
Texas Roadhouse Chili Copycat- Decadent Hearty Smells Heat from the Inside Out. Superb potluck, this chili is full of rich warm spices and shred-till-it-falls-apart beef- the kind that welcomes everyone home. Pack this along, and you’ll be the welcome guest of everyone.
Every spoonful combines just the perfect amount of warmth, richness, and comfort that’s reminiscent of warm summer nights and large gatherings. It’s not chili, it’s a bowl of party-perfect nostalgia that’ll fill any gap. The guests will be in line for seconds, no question. This recipe is a potluck home run.
What makes it so wonderful is its bold flavor and simple serving style, which makes any gathering fun with it. Why it’s popular:
- Giant Flavor: Hot, spicy, and not to be forgotten.
- Serves a Crowd: A single serving goes a long way.
- Flexible: Great on its own or with cornbread and fixin’s.
9. Pesto Orzo Salad
Pesto Orzo Salad is a fresh, light salad yet packed with flavor. Its colorful pesto and soft orzo make it a potluck favorite, perfect for summer grill-out celebrations. You’d never know the recipe was store-bought if you stumbled over it. The salad’s a crowd-pleaser.
The fresh basil pesto and creamy orzo have just the right proportion, veggies adding a fresh crunch. It’s substantial enough to be served with any entree but is especially great on its own. Guests will love its fresh, herby taste. Never a boring salad.
Why do folks inhale it so fast? It’s easy to eat, it’s visually pleasing, and suitable for all tastes. Top reasons it’s a favorite among people:
- Fresh and Light: Perfect for summer party potlucks.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Excellent served cold or at room temperature.
- Universal Appeal: Pickiest eaters can’t help but be tempted by pesto.
10. Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole is rich, creamy comfort that vanishes in seconds from the potluck table. It’s a loaded baked potato masquerading but shareable and even more decadent. The casserole tastes of warm hug from mom’s kitchen. The people-pleaser with any people.
The silky potatoes, cheesy oozing, and crumbled pieces of bacon together create a rich, decadent yet unpretentious flavor and texture. It’s stress-free decadence, perfect for potlucks or home comfort food. Guests will be abuzz with its homey, toasty flavor. This casserole is a potluck favorite.
Its ease and crowd-appeal make it a bring-along standard. Why it’s a potluck favorite:
- Decadent Comfort: Tasty as a splurge but easy to prepare.
- Serves Many: A tiny scoop satisfies a whole bunch.
- Always a Hit: Even picky eaters love this cheesy treat.
Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Casserole Dish
- 1 Large Skillet For cooking bacon
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Potato Masher Recommended for a creamier texture
- 1 Toothpick
Ingredients
Main
- 2 large baking potatoes
- ½ pound lean bacon
- 1 ½ cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese divided
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Use a toothpick to poke a few holes into each potato. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Bake potatoes in the preheated oven until fully cooked, about 1 hour. Cool for about 15 minutes.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate; crumble and set aside. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cut a thin slice from one side of each baked potato; carefully scoop out flesh and transfer to a large bowl. Discard skins.
- Mix 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, butter, chives, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into potatoes until well combined. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Spread potato mixture into the prepared casserole dish; top with remaining Cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Bake in the preheated oven until just bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Notes
11. Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings
Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings bring a sweet-hot-smoky punch that annihilates all the taste buds. Spicy wings beyond mere regular barbecue, these wings blend luscious peach with smoky chipotle. A potluck hit. Expect a craze when these are out.
The peach-chipotle glaze smoky wings are the ideal combination of sweetness and spice. They’re sticky, flavorful, and just messy enough to be enjoyable to eat. Everyone will be grabbing for seconds, not getting their fill of the robust flavor. The wings are the potluck hit.
How do they manage? They’re iconic, easy to eat, and always have others hungry for the recipe. Key highlights:
- Bold Flavor: Spicy, smoky, and sweet with each bite.
- Standout Dish: Sets you apart from your usual wing tradition.
- Crowd Magnet: Perfect for game nights or a night out with friends.
12. Million Dollar Spaghetti
Million Dollar Spaghetti is the ultimate baked pasta, its creamy, saucy bliss. It elevates plain spaghetti to new levels and makes it a potluck champion that serves an army. Heaven and comfort food in every bite. This is a total plate-captor.
The layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese all come together to create a ridiculously rich, pleasing-to-the-crowd casserole. Comfort food at its finest, it’s homey, comforting, and tastes like a recipe your grandma made for generations. Guests will battle over the last serving. It’s a potluck showstopper that’s always a hit.
Portable and full of flavor, it’s a potluck MVP. Why it’s a crowd-pleaser:
- Hearty and Shareable: Great for large groups.
- Nostalgic Noodle: Delishes like a homemade family meal.
- Crowd Pleaser: Who wouldn’t love sticky, saucy noodles.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Equipment
- 1 9×13 inch Baking Dish Essential for baking the casserole.
- 1 Large Pot For cooking the spaghetti.
- 1 Large Skillet For preparing the meat sauce.
- 2 Mixing Bowls One large for pasta, one medium for cheese mixture.
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For browning meat and spreading layers.
Ingredients
Main
- Two 24-ounce jars marinara sauce
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 16 ounces ricotta about 2 cups, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan about 2 ounces, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley plus more for serving
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella about 8 ounces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl with the butter and 1 cup of marinara sauce. Toss together until the butter is melted.
- Meanwhile, make the pasta sauce. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook, undisturbed, until the meat is beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, break up the meat and continue to cook until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add the garlic, onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook until the vegetables have softened, about 3 minutes. Add the reserved marinara sauce and mix until thoroughly combined.
- To make the cheese sauce, mix together the ricotta, cream cheese, Parmesan, parsley, egg, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.
- To assemble, place half of the pasta in an even layer in the baking dish. Using a rubber spatula, spread the cheese sauce in an even layer over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta in an even layer over the cheese sauce. Finally, top the pasta with the meat sauce. Top with the mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until bubbling and golden brown on top, 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
13. Old Fashioned Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Light, spiced Old Fashioned Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are the first sign of autumn evenings by the fire. Cake cookie sandwiches with a rich center transport you back in time to your childhood. A crowd-pleasing potluck dessert, they’ll be devoured in seconds before you can even get your fingers on one.
The pumpkin-spiced cookies are soft and scrumptious, with a rich sweet interior that’s pure bliss. They’re so light in texture that they’re not too much to munch on when making social rounds at a party. They’ll adore their old-fashioned look. These whoopie pies are a dream come true.
Why are they best? They’re easy to handle, packed with flavor, and bring happiness with every bite. Top reasons why they’re a winner:
- Nostalgia Factor: Reminds one of old-fashioned desserts.
- Ideal Size: Not hard to swallow and comprehend during a visit.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everybody from all ages will enjoy it.
14. Baked Spanish Rice
Baked Spanish Rice is a spicy, comforting side dish that will complete any potluck supper. The seasoned, toasted rice is full of rich flavor, but this side dish never tries to steal the show itself. This side dish tastes like something out of a generation of family recipes. It’s party central.
The rice absorbs rich pepper, spice, and tomato flavor and is a delicious side dish that pairs well with everything. Simple to make but tastes like it’s been cooked for hours of loving tenderness. Guests will ask for it over and over. This rice is a potluck winner.
It’s so versatile and so packed with robust flavor that it’s a crowd-pleaser. Why it’s a winner:
- Packs a Punch: The perfect complement to the taste.
- Pairs with Anything: Yummy with meat, vegetables, or barbecue.
- Easy Prep: Travels well and still tastes great.
- Crowd Pleaser: Pleases even finicky people.
Spanish Rice Bake
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For simmering the rice mixture
- 1 2-Quart Casserole Dish For baking the dish
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and breaking up beef
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 14.5 ounce can canned tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup uncooked long grain rice
- ½ cup chile sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat and transfer beef to a large pot over medium low heat.. Stir in the onion, green bell pepper, tomatoes, water, rice, chile sauce, salt, brown sugar, cumin, Worcestershire sauce and ground black pepper.
- Let this simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, then transport this to a 2-quart casserole dish. Press down firmly and sprinkle with the shredded Cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
