{Friday Series} How To: Simplify...Preparing a Casserole

If you stick to this basic formula, you can put together a casserole in minutes that will be enough to feed the whole family. As long as you have the basics (listed in the chart above), the ingredients can easily be tailored to suit your taste.



The basics are:

One main ingredient (usually protein)
One secondary ingredient (usually vegetable)
One starch
One binder (with milk or water to make it creamy)
One topping
Mix everything together (except for the topping), pour into a greased casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes covered. During the last 5-10 minutes, bake uncovered to allow the topping to brown.



I love preparing a chicken casserole that combines chicken, mixed vegetables, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup and a little milk. I top it with some cheese and breadcrumbs to give it a extra little flavor and crunch. What's your favorite casserole?