Easy-Homemade-Casseroles

Lover of easy-homemade-casseroles, John Smith. Yep, that's my hubby :) I figure if I go ahead and post our basic casseroles, then I'll always be able to find them and it's lots easier to share when you all can just come to the website and help yourselves!

Here's the basic formula for making your own easy-homemade-casseroles

Start with rice or other grain, pasta or potatoes-fresh or processed into fries, tots, hash browns, etc.

Then you need a sauce or "binder" like any of the cream soups,tomato sauce, broth, leftover gravy,etc.

The you add smaller portions of the more expensive ingredients like cheese or meat or as much possible healthy stuff your family won't eat alone like green beans, onions, broccoli, zucchini, etc.

Suggested Toppings: crushed crackers, cheese, bread crumbs, Chinese noodles, crushed cornflakes or other non-sugary type cereal

Dump in lots of the main ingredient, then the expensive or healthy stuff, stir in enough sauce till it clumps together. Top with appropriate topping and bake usually at 350 degrees for 30 minutes if using processing precooked rice, pasta or potatoes. Cook closer to an hour if using raw potatoes. I prefer to precook or use leftover baked potatoes and cook for a shorter period of time. Let me know if I've missed anything or if you'd like to share your new or favorite casserole creation!

Easy-Homemade-Casserole 1-Sausage and Rice Casserole

2 lbs pork sausage

onion flakes or chopped onion sauted

med. bunch of celery

2 boxes chicken noodle soup

8 cups water

6 cups rice- 3 minute rice( this is the only recipe I use this special rice- might work with leftover regular rice but haven't tried it yet.

slivered almonds(optional)

salt and pepper

Cook up sausage. Saute the celery and onions. Cook rice according to box directions. Cook soup in water for 7 minutes. Blend everything and add almonds. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Freezes well.

Cheaper version!!! Cook 5 cups of regular rice in 10 cups of water. You can also use leftover cooked rice! I'm still experimenting with chicken bullion instead of the dried soup packets. It worked fine but I haven't hit on the perfect consistency/seasoning amounts yet.

Homemade-Easy-Casserole 2-Easy Potato Casserole

(I double this)This casserole was a surprisingly good experiment! In fact it took two 9x12 pans of this to feed our clan. There were even some sad faces the next day when there wasn’t enough for lunch. 4 lbs of potatoes boiled and diced or shredded if you prefer( or substitute 3 lbs bag of frozen tots or fries- quick but usually more expensive)1 quart of chicken gravy( or broth thickened with 2 chicken gravy packets and cornstarch)½ can of cream of chicken soup (use the whole thing if you’re only making one casserole)2 cans green beans, drained½ to 1 lb ground meat, brownedChoose your cheap topping: crushed soda crackers, bread crumbs, grated cheese, crushed corn flakes, my kids like those cheap whale crackers you buy at Walmart. Place the potatoes of choice in a large bowl. Moisten with gravy and canned soup. Add green beans and browned meat. Top with crushed soda crackers or bread crumbs on a frugal week or other desired topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until it bubbles.