Hey Lykkers! If you're looking for an easy-to-make, comforting meal that's perfect for feeding a crowd, then "The Casserole" might just become your new go-to recipe.
It's the kind of dish that's been passed down through families and loved for its simplicity and versatility. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner or something to serve at a family gathering, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser for sure!
What's 'The Casserole'?
"The Casserole" is a hearty, all-in-one dish that brings together ground meat, vegetables, soup, and mashed potatoes in the most comforting way possible. It's the ultimate Midwestern hot dish, with layers of flavors and textures that make each bite irresistible. What makes it even better? The recipe is super easy to customize, so you can make it your own depending on what ingredients you have on hand.
The basic version of the casserole is made with ground meat, chopped onions, canned green beans, carrots, and two types of condensed soup—cream of mushroom and cream of tomato. On top, you'll spread a layer of mashed potatoes, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over everything before baking it to golden perfection. Simple, right?
How to Make 'The Casserole'
Here's how we can make "The Casserole" step-by-step. You'll need just 10 ingredients to get started:
1. Large potatoes (for the mashed potatoes)
2. Ground meat
3. Chopped onion
4. Canned green beans
5. Canned carrots
6. Condensed cream of mushroom soup
7. Condensed cream of tomato soup
8. Shredded Cheddar cheese
First, boil and mash the potatoes. While that's happening, sauté the ground meat with the chopped onions in a pan until the meat is cooked through. Then, mix the meat with the canned vegetables and both soups in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, sprinkle the cheese, and pop it into the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, you've got yourself one delicious casserole!
Customizing 'The Casserole'
One of the best things about this casserole is how easily we can make it our own. The Allrecipes community has shared tons of great tweaks, so here are a few ideas to try:
• Season the meat: A lot of people like to season their ground meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before cooking. If you're into a little heat, add some cayenne pepper or chili flakes to spice things up.
• Try fresh veggies: While canned vegetables are traditionally used in the recipe, many have swapped them out for fresh or frozen veggies. Fresh carrots and green beans work great, and you could even throw in some peas, corn, or any other frozen veggies you have.
• Instant mashed potatoes: If you're short on time or just want to make things even easier, you can use store-bought or instant mashed potatoes instead of making your own. To make it even better, add a little sour cream, fried onions into the mashed potatoes for an extra boost of flavor.
• Swap the soups: The classic combination of cream of mushroom and cream of tomato soups works wonders, but don't be afraid to experiment with other canned soups. Cream of chicken, cream of celery, or even tomato bisque could bring a new twist to your casserole.
What the Community Says
The Allrecipes community has nothing but praise for this casserole, and many users have shared their personal twists on the dish:
• "This was my family recipe for cottage pie when I was growing up. You can change it up with cream of celery or cream of asparagus soup, and even tomato basil soup or red pepper soup. It's the best, and it's fantastic when made in a cast-iron skillet." —SadSpice2835
• "This turned out really good! I wasn't sure about the tomato soup since I'm not crazy about tomato anything, but it worked! I added some milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes, cooked the meat with garlic, and followed the recipe for everything else. Will definitely make this again! And it makes great leftovers!" —Shelb
• "I added Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic to the meat before browning, and swapped the tomato soup for diced tomatoes and green chiles. Then I mixed the cheddar into the hot mashed potatoes with a fork. Loved it." —Paul Wescott
Conclusion: Your New Go-To Comfort Food
So there you have it, Lykkers! "The Casserole" is an incredibly easy and customizable dish that can feed a large group with minimal effort. Whether you stick to the original recipe or make your own variations, this dish is perfect for any occasion. It's hearty, comforting, and most importantly, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Next time you're looking for a simple, satisfying meal, give "The Casserole" a try—you won't regret it!
