A Great Idea for Any Meal of the Day!

I hope you like casseroles as much as I do. You don’t??? I cannot understand. Okay, I know that there are people who do not like their food touching. There’s actually a name for it: Brumotactillophobia. That’s hard for me to imagine as well, but if you’re one of those people, then you will NOT like casseroles, where everything is not only touching but sweetly joined. If you have brumotactillophobia, then my apologies. And stop reading. This article is not for you. For me the whole point of creating a meal is that you are trying to put things together that balance, complement, and improve each other. What better way to do that than to comingle them in a delicious casserole?

So what makes a casserole a casserole? The Oxford definition is: A kind of stew or side dish that is cooked slowly in the oven. Some people define it by the cookware used (a deep wide dish, known, fittingly, as a casserole dish). Historically it has been thought to contain the following elements: A protein, a starch, vegetables and a sauce, and/or cheese. Just describing this makes me hungry for one! These days, of course, a casserole can really be any combination of yummy foods that are mixed together and baked. Aside from being delicious, casseroles have lots of other benefits:

• Casseroles are easy to prepare-just throw everything together and mix
• Casseroles often use minimal ingredients
• You can often throw a casserole together with items already in your fridge and pantry
• Casseroles require a minimum of dishes and utensils to prepare (less mess to clean up!)
• Casseroles can be prepared ahead of time
• You can have a casserole for any meal of the day
• Casseroles can be as healthy as you want to make them
• Casseroles make great leftovers and usually can even be frozen for another day
• Casseroles are comfort food at its best!

If you’re looking for some inspiration, you don’t have to look far. There’s nothing like a classic casserole to bring back memories of your childhood: Tuna, green bean, onion pie, chicken n biscuits, lasagna, chicken tetrazzini, sweet potato, and chicken pot pie are all good staples.

Or maybe you prefer something more contemporary: Try Barbecue chicken and apple bread pudding, crispy chicken strips loaded potato, pierogi casserole, taco spaghetti, or crab spinach and egg.

Here are some other yummy ideas in a category you may be seeking:

Meatless: Broccoli and rice, baked ziti and zucchini, corn pudding, pineapple, overnight cinnamon apple french toast, green pea, mushroom rice, hash browns, cream cheese pasta bake

Kid Friendly: cheeseburger and fries, taco, tater tot, pizza lovers, chicken alfredo bake, beef burrito

Dessert casseroles: SMores, cinnamon bun, mint chocolate lasagna, oreo four layer, peanut butter chocolate poke cake, lemon lush, banana pudding

Simple: shepherds pie with instant potatoes, chicken and rice with fully cooked rotisserie chicken, spinach parm, sausage and crescent rolls, 4 ingredient hamburger casserole, biscuits and gravy with refrigerated biscuits and gravy mix packet, rotisserie chicken and stuffing

Create your own: Start with whatever protein you have on hand. Add some pasta or rice, a creamy soup and your favorite vegetable and voila! I’m willing to bet you will not be disappointed. And if you’re especially proud of your creation, share it here for others to enjoy!