Leftover Casserole: Cheesy Vegetarian Hoppin' John Hashbrown Bake Recipe

Day 6.



It's that time of week when I get out the rubber gloves and jumper cables, call in my favorite hunchback and set to work on what's left in the fridge (with a little help from my pantry). I may need to incorporate a second one of these per week. But, this is a great policy to follow if you like to cook every day. Schedule a "Leftovers Day" in your meal planning. So, this week, it may come as no surprise as it was a 10-serving recipe, I'm using leftover Hoppin' John as the primary ingredient.



The casserole uses up 5 cups of it and adds in rice, potatoes and cheese. I think it should freeze pretty well also.



Hoppin' John Cheesy Hashbrown Bake

Serves 8

Ingredients

5 C Hoppin' John (OR 4 C Leftover Hoppin' John Black eyed pea mix 1C shredded Kale from Hoppin' John)

2 C hashbrown potatoes (I use store-brand frozen shredded potatoes only variety, no additives)

6 C cooked rice

1/2 C sour cream (optional)



Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.



Spread half the Hoppin' John mixture in the bottom of 9 x 13 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Layer half of rice over bean mixture. Next layer kale, remaining rice, and remaining bean mixture. Top with half cheese and potatoes.



Bake for 30-40 minutes (depending on whether any of your ingredients started out frozen). Then sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with 1 Tbsp. sour cream per serving, if desired.



The Results

Yum. This is good. It kind of turned out like a crispy delicious Shepherd's Pie. I don't normally like Shepherd's Pie, but with the hashbrowns instead of mashed potatoes on top getting all crispy and delicious, plus the sausage and smoky beans. Wow. I really like this dish. I actually made a half portion to serve four (just in case it was awful). And I originally intended to mix the potatoes into the beans, thinking it would be like an Indian bean and potatoes dish. But, I forgot the hasbrowns were in the downstairs freezer and, with the babies about, I had to get it together and in the oven fast. So, I did the rest as planned and threw the potatoes on top. I'm glad I did. Yay, babies!



This post linked at Full Plate Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday and Tip Day Thursday.