There’s nothing more yummy and comforting than a delicious, made-from-scratch casserole on a chilly day. Casseroles also make the perfect dishes to take to a gathering or pop in the freezer for a future meal. These meals are tasty, wholesome, and require minimal hands-on time. Plus, you can source most of these ingredients locally, grow them yourself, or buy in bulk.
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
- 2 cups cooked meat (ground sausage, bacon, or chicken)
- 4 cups shredded potatoes or hashbrowns
- 2 cups cheese (divided in 1-cup portions)
- 1 onion, chopped
Directions
- Mix eggs, chicken broth, and seasonings together.
- Add meat, potatoes, 1 cup cheese, and onions to mixture.
- Combine and pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan.
- Bake covered at 425 F for 45 minutes.
- Uncover, top with remaining cheese, and then bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Easy Substitutions and Storage
You can easily substitute ingredients if you don’t have a particular one. Sweet potatoes can take the place of regular potatoes, as can winter squash. Brown rice and white rice are interchangeable, and onions can be fresh, frozen, or dehydrated. Spices can be fresh, frozen, or dried and powdered. Meat choices can be easily interchanged according to your preference or what’s in your freezer or fridge.
Make sure your ingredients are roughly the same size to allow for even cooking. When making a casserole, the mixture will be soupy when you put it in the casserole dish. That’s alright, since the uncooked ingredients will absorb the excess liquid as they bake. If your casserole is too moist when it’s done, let it rest on the counter uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. These meals are the perfect place to start experimenting with more wholesome ingredients.
Wrap extras in foil, place them in freezer bags, and freeze for up to three months.
Serving Up Ease
- Drain the canned vegetables or meats before combining them with other ingredients. If the ingredients are canned, shorten your cooking time in the oven by about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the recipe.
- Always test the tenderness of the ingredients before serving.
- To prevent over-browning, keep your dish covered while baking and turn your oven down 25 degrees if the top browns too quickly and the bottom layer isn’t cooking through.
