Gabryelle - The Beauty of Casseroles: Something for Everyone!

Summary

Of all the favorite dishes and all the food choices that we have, there isnt one more convenient or popular than the casserole. Not only is it a one-dish meal that saves on time, dishes and ingredients, but there are so many casseroles to choose from a selection where there is literally something for everyone.

In this book weve included new and old favorites and a wide variety of each. Youll find ingredients in these recipes that are easily obtained from the grocery if they arent already in your pantry. Youll also find that these casseroles are easy to prepare, some of them in a slow cooker crock pot and others on top of the stove.

All your friends and family will be very happy when you pull one of these casseroles from the oven to serve for any meal you choose.

Enjoy!

Instructions

The word casserole carries a double meaning it is both a meal and an ovenproof dish used to cook that one-dish meal. It was designed for busy people on the go who needed more time all the casserole required was some simple preparation and a no-fuss cooking period. It is budget and time-friendly for our modern style of life where on the go is the norm. And the casserole dish is usually an attractive one that can be brought straight to the table for dinner. The casserole has become a reliable stand-by and go-to for modern cooks and homemakers.

When the days begin to grow cooler in the fall, it is wonderful to inhale the aromas from a slow cooking casserole in the oven or crock pot. Not only does it smell wonderful, but a casserole is a perfect way to use lesser expensive cuts of meat and chicken which greatly helps our food budget.

But the real beauty of a casserole is in how very easy they are to make and cook anyone can do it. There are some very simple tricks to the trade, however, that will make your casserole a success every time. Here are some to follow:

• All ingredients in the casserole should be the approximate size so they all cook within a similar timeframe. Add quick cooking ingredients at the end, if possible.
• Use ovenproof and flameproof casserole dishes so you can use the same dish to cook on top of the stove, if needed, as well as in the oven.
• Dip your meat and vegetables in flour before putting into the casserole if thicker sauce is desired do not add raw flour to a casserole while it is cooking.
• Use a tight fitting lid, if one is required, so that moisture remains in the casserole.
• Make sure the casserole dish is the right size for the casserole to prevent boil overs but always put a flat baking sheet under the casserole as a precaution.
• Pat vegetables dry with a paper towel before adding them to the casserole ingredients.
• You may pre-cook any vegetables that will take a longer time than other things in the casserole, such as potatoes or carrots.
• When using pasta in a casserole, precook, but only to the first al dente stage.
• Thaw frozen casseroles before baking them; they will always cook more thoroughly if at room temperature before going into the oven.

Table of Contents

(To access a recipe, place the cursor on the title, hold CTL and CLICK)

Super Easy Breakfast

A dish of happiness

Ingredients:

• 1 box (2 cups size) stuffing mix, chicken flavored, dry
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 1 1/2 cups cubed ham or cooked sausage
• 6 beaten eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with oil.
2. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together with a spoon; pour into the prepared dish.
3. Bake for 45 minutes or until the casserole is set and the eggs are done. Serve immediately.

Croissant Casserole

The best topped by the best

Note: This recipe requires waiting overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Ingredients:

• 4 croissants, plain variety, split lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup each: shredded Swiss and mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Place the bottoms of the croissants across the bottom of a casserole dish, usually and 8x8-inch size that has been sprayed with oil.
2. In a pan, saut the onions and mushrooms together until tender and dry; set aside.
3. With a whisk, beat the milk and eggs together well; pour half of the mixture over the croissant bottoms in the dish. Layer the mushroom/onion mixture over the eggs, followed by the cheeses and the remaining half of the milk/egg mixture.
4. Lay the croissant tops over the bottoms, cut side down. Place overnight in the refrigerator to set.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; bake the casserole for 25 minutes or until set. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tater Tot Breakfast

Oh Boy! The kids will go crazy for this treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 package (2 3/4 ounces) country gravy mix
• 1/2 pound bulk sausage or cased sausage with casings removed
• 3 cups thawed tater tots
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; use oil to lightly spray a 10x8-inch casserole dish with high sides to it.
2. Cook the sausage for 2 minutes, breaking up any big chunks. Add the tater tots to the pan and cook for another 5 minutes, or the tater tots are light brown. Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to prevent the tater tots from sticking.
3. In a bowl, mix the water and the gravy mix together with a whisk; add the eggs to the mixture.
4. In the prepared casserole dish, spread the tater tot/sausage mixture evenly; pour the egg and gravy mixture over the top of the sausage mixture.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top; bake for an additional 3 minutes until melted.

An Amish Breakfast

A hearty way to start the day

Note: This recipe may be halved without loss of taste.

Ingredients:

• 4 green onions, chopped, include part of the green tops
• 1 pound raw bacon, diced
• 6 beaten eggs