Need a couple new casserole ideas

[conn8757]

Getting sick of making tator tot casserole, tuna casserole. I would like to have a couple of easy recipes with things you keep in the pantry (other than the meat). Anyone have any ideas for something that would serve 6-8 with a salad side dish that is a hit with your family or company?

[golfnut]

I understand the need for new ideas, but please don't disrespect the tater tot casserole which is my all time favorite

[GatorFan]

My mom makes the best chicken and rice.

2 cups rice (whatever kind you like) Mom uses a 9 X 12 cake pan.

In pan, put rice, 4 cups water, 1 stick of butter, 1 pack liption dry onion soup mix and a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom or celery. (we like the mushroom) Heat on top of stove on med heat, stir until butter is melted. Remove from heat.

Salt & Pepper chicken. (we use all white meat unless family coming over, then we add thighs, wings and legs) Mom has also uses chicken strips.
Lay in pan, cover with tin fold. Bake in oven until done.

(45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how much chicken you use) Left overs are great also.

It just hit me that the above may be good with pork instead of chicken. I will have to try. I love my Mom's cooking.

[kfierle]

Here is one that is a hit no matter when or where I serve it. It is easy to make and I always seem to have the ingredients on hand.

LAST MINUTE LASAGNA

1 26-ounce jar pasta sauce
1 30-ounce bag frozen large cheese ravioli, unthawed
1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 8-ounce bag shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated parmesan

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 13-by-9 inch baking dish with cooking spray and spoon in a third of the sauce. Arrange 12 ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with half of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and the remaining sauce and cheese. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until bubbly.

I don't use just cheese ravoli since I like variety. I often use 2 or more types of ravoli. My favorite is to make this dish with portabello mushroom ravoli.

[BritParrothead]

How about trying a Moroccan Tagine. I promise you it is wonderful!! I make this at least once a month!

Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemons
(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch saffron
salt and pepper to taste
1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces, or chicken thighs or breasts)
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion (sliced) I prefer shallots
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
1/2 cup water (or chicken stock)
1 preserved lemon quartered
1 cup green olives

1 tablespoon honey
two or 3 dried prunes (chopped)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)

Directions:
1. Mix the paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, saffron, salt and pepper and rub it into the chicken.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan.
3. Add the chicken and brown on all sides and set aside.
4. Add the onion, and saute for 3 minutes.
5. Add the garlic and ginger and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
6. Add the water and chicken, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Add the preserved lemon, olives, prunes and honey and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
8. Remove from heat and mix in the parsley and cilantro.

Note: You will probably want to go easy on the salt as the lemons are preserved in a lot of salt and the olives are pretty salty as well.

[dillywho]

This is not a casserole, but so easy and so good. Just add a salad or vegetable & you got a meal.

Chicken Pockets

2 chicken breasts, boiled and then diced
2 cans (8 count) crescent rolls
1 container onion & chive cream cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Combine diced chicken and cream cheese. Put two crescent rolls together to form a rectangle, being sure to pinch the seams together. Place some of the chicken mixture on one end of the rectangle. Fold other end over it and seal the edges together all the way around. Place on a cookie sheet (I line mine with non-stick foil or parchment paper for a no clean up bake). Bake until browned and serve. Serves 8. These are great reheated, too.

I sometimes cut this recipe in half and hubby and I still get 2 meals out of it.
I have found that the Pillsbury rolls handle much easier. I get the Philadelphia brand cream cheese, but I think others make it as well. My son made these for me when he came down to care for me after my surgery and they have been a favorite of ours ever since.

[conn8757]

I promise to try all three of these - thanks ---

[kittylecroix]

Sounds delicious, but not familiar with preserved lemons. Where can you get them?

[BritParrothead]

Sounds delicious, but not familiar with preserved lemons. Where can you get them?

In England, I can buy them in the supermarket, so try Publix or the Freshmarket, they may have them. The last jar I got was a gift from a lady in Marakech!!
She had presereved them herself, they are so fantastic. The smell (or should I say perfume) is fantastic!!

[uujudy]

Sounds delicious, but not familiar with preserved lemons. Where can you get them?


Kitty, I think you have to make them. I found this recipe for preserved lemons online: http://www.examiner.com/x-10365-Salt-Lake-City-Food-Examiner~y2009m5d15-How-to-make-preserved-lemons

If anybody tries it, please let us know how it turned out, and what other uses you found for preserved lemons.

Please note that I can't cook worth a hill of beans, but I'm always interested in new recipes (go figure! :shrug:)

[Boomer]

Hi Conn,

Here's another one for you. Cooking is not something that I am good at so I always pick recipes with a really short list of ingredients.

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
4 cups bowtie pasta, cooked and drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup pesto sauce (At the grocery, you can get it in the cold section in the pasta aisle)
1/2 cup mayo (I use Hellmann's)
1 package Mexican 4-blend cheese

Combine soup, mayo, and pesto. Add to cooked chicken and pasta. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

It's really easy. People like it unless they do not like pesto.

Boomer

[conn8757]

sounds delicious Boomer and just what I am looking for since I am likely to have all the ingredients on hand. Thanks.

[conn8757]

A casserole from my neighbor - I got the recipe from her and thought it was really good. It serves 6-8.

Chow Mein Hot Dish

Brown 1 lb ground beef with one chopped onion and 1 cup of diced celery. Drain grease.

Add 2 cups of water, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 can of chicken rice soup, 3 T soy sauce, 2 T worchestershire sauce and 3/4 cup of uncooked rice. Add 1/2 small package of chow mein noodles. Bake in covered casserole @ 350 degrees for one hour -Sprinkle remaining half of chow mein noodles over casserole and bake uncovered 15 minutes.

***Note-original recipe says 1/2 cup of diced green peppers to be browned w/ground beef which she left out, but did add can of mushrooms at the same time she added soups.****I like the mushrooms myself, but think probably any vegetable - water chestnuts, carrot, etc. could be added.
Hope you enjoy it.

[kittylecroix]

Thanks UUJudy and BRITPARROTHEAD. I'll look for them, or try making them!

[islandgal]

I tried this because I was intrigued by the variety of ingredients - sounds more complicated than it
really is and now one of my very favorites. Can be made ahead. :icon_hungry:

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE CHICKEN:

3 c diced, cooked chicken (2 large breasts) - I use Tyson's precooked frozen strips, diced
2 medium celery stalks, finely chopped
1 8-oz an sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 c sliced almonds
1 2-oz jar pimientos, undrained
1 tbls minced onion
3/4 c light mayo
2 tbls lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using precooked chicken)
1 tsp black pepper
1 c (2 oz) canned French fried onions (I omit)
6 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese
Your favorite herb can be added if you like - parsley, dill, etc.

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 11x7 baking dish.
2. Combine chicken, celery, water chestnuts, almonds, pimientos, onion, mayo, lemon juice, s & p in a large bowl - mix well
3. Place in prepared dish and top with French fried onions and cheese.
Bake covered 30 minutes or until cheese melts.
Serves 6.

[ConeyIsBabe]

I make a large pot of this chili, every week, divide it into snack-size containers and freeze. Then when I'm too lazy to cook (which is most of the time) I just pop into the microwaave and nuke for 4 minutes for a delicious bowl of chili, with or without a side dish of your choice. I have NO recipe and it's different every time I make it..... but always delicious and healthy!

Basic ingredients:
1 package of ground, lowfat turkey
3 cans of beans: black beans, kidney beans, baked beans
1 cup of grated carrots
1 cup of chopped celery
5 cloves of minced garlic
1 chopped onion
1 jar of high quality marinara sauce
spices of your choice: I like chili power, currey powder, dried herbs, salt, pepper
Olive oil

Saute turkey in canola oil - then add spices - then add garlic - then add everything else.

Simmer for about 1/2 hour and serve with rice, noodles, or whatever :beer3:

[l2ridehd]

My favorite. Prepare scallop potatoes as you normally would. But layer one layer of potatoes, some sliced ham and some frozen broccoli. Add sauce. Another layer of potatoes, ham and broccoli, then sauce. Continue until casserole is filled with the last layer being potatoes. Bake as you would any scallop potato dish. YUM.

[conn8757]

Thank you all - they all sound delicious and I am getting hungry and it's only 10:15 am. I'll get to try some out this weekend - more company coming.