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What defines casserole?


Casseroles are baked dish that combines ingredients like meat, vegetables, and cheese into a creamy and comforting meal. But what exactly defines a casserole? There are a few key components that make up the quintessential casserole.

Main Ingredients

Casseroles typically contain a starch, protein, and vegetables. Common starches used in casseroles include rice, pasta, or potatoes. These starches help to thicken the casserole and give it a creamy texture. Proteins like chicken, beef, pork, or plant-based meat alternatives add hearty substance. Onions, carrots, peas, corn, and celery are vegetable choices that provide color, texture, and nutrients.

Binding Agent

A binding agent is used to bring all the casserole ingredients together. The most common casserole binder is a creamy sauce or soup. Popular options include cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, cheese sauces, and even sour cream or cottage cheese. The binding agent coats the other ingredients to create a cohesive and soft casserole texture.

Baking Vessel

Casseroles are baked in a deep, oven-safe dish known as a casserole dish. Glass, ceramic, and cast iron are common casserole dish materials that withstand high oven temperatures. Their deep sides prevent spillovers. Large casserole dishes, ranging from 1.5 to 3 quarts, allow ingredients to cook together in a single pan for easy serving.

Common Types of Casserole Dishes

While all casseroles feature a starch, protein, vegetables, and creamy binder, there are many popular casserole recipes and categories.

Breakfast Casseroles

Breakfast casseroles are a creative way to bring eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, and other typical morning foods together. Popular recipes include:

– Breakfast tortilla casserole – Eggs, tortillas, cheese, and salsa baked together.

– Hash brown casserole – Shredded hash browns and cheese baked into a cake.

– Overnight breakfast casseroles – Layers of bread, eggs, bacon, and cheese refrigerated overnight and baked in the morning.

Chicken Casseroles

Chicken casseroles make up a broad category on their own. Some examples are:

– Chicken divan – Chicken, broccoli, and Swiss cheese sauce mixture.

– Buffalo chicken casserole – Chicken, buffalo sauce, and a topping of cheese or cornbread stuffing.

– Chicken enchilada casserole – Layered tortillas, chicken, beans, enchilada sauce, cheese, etc.

– Chicken and rice casserole – Chicken, rice, cream of mushroom/chicken soup, veggies.

Tuna Noodle Casseroles

Tuna noodle casserole is a classic budget-friendly recipe. Basic ingredients include egg noodles, canned tuna, peas, and a creamy sauce. Cheddar cheese, potato chips, or fried onions are popular toppings.

Green Bean Casseroles

This Thanksgiving favorite includes fresh or frozen green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions. Some recipes add cheese, other veggies like celery, or herbs.

Pasta Bakes

Italian-style pasta bakes contain pasta, Italian sausage or ground beef, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and spices. Ziti, penne, rotini, and rigatoni are ideal pasta shapes for holding sauce and ingredients.

Potato Casseroles

Potatoes, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and veggies bake into comforting potato casseroles. Options like cheesy scalloped potatoes or creamy au gratin potatoes are easy crowd pleasers.

What Can Be Added to Casseroles?

Half the fun of making casseroles is adding extra ingredients to personalize the dish. Here are some easy add-ins:

Proteins

– Diced ham
– Italian sausage
– Bacon
– Diced turkey
– Crumbled ground beef
– Diced chicken
– Tuna
– White fish

Vegetables

– Onion
– Mushrooms
– Bell peppers
– Broccoli
– Carrots
– Celery
– Corn
– Peas
– Tomatoes
– Spinach

Cheese

– Cheddar
– Mozzarella
– Parmesan
– Monterey jack
– Swiss
– Feta
– Pepper jack

Seasonings and Herbs

– Garlic
– Basil
– Oregano
– Parsley
– Paprika
– Chili powder
– Pepper
– Italian seasoning

Sauces

– Barbecue sauce
– Alfredo sauce
– Marinara sauce
– Gravy
– Wine
– Worcestershire Sauce

Toppings

– Breadcrumbs
– Cornbread topping
– Potato chips
– Fried onions
– Bacon bits
– Crushed crackers

Tips for Making the Best Casserole

Use these tips for casserole success:

Prep Ingredients

Chop and prepare all ingredients before assembling the casserole to streamline the process. Wash, peel, and chop all vegetables. Preheat oven to 375°F.

Grease the Dish

Lightly coat the casserole dish with butter, oil, or nonstick spray so ingredients don’t stick while baking.

Layer Evenly

Layer ingredients evenly and in order of longest cook time on bottom to shortest cook time on top.

Liquid Consistency

Add enough binding agent like soup or sauce so ingredients are just lightly coated. Too much liquid leaves a runny casserole.

Cover and Bake

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F until hot and bubbly, about 30-45 minutes. Uncover last 10 minutes if top needs to brown.

Rest before Serving

Let casserole rest 10-15 minutes before serving so it sets up. The resting time allows flavors to further meld together.

Store Leftovers

Cover and refrigerate leftover casserole up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in microwave or oven.

Common Casserole FAQs

Get answers to some frequently asked casserole questions:

What is the most popular casserole?

The green bean casserole with fried onions is the most beloved casserole in the U.S., especially at Thanksgiving dinner tables.

Do you add water to casseroles?

Casseroles rarely need added water since there is enough natural moisture from ingredients. The binding sauce also adds liquid.

Should you stir casseroles while baking?

Stirring is not necessary and can lead to sticking or uneven baking. The exception is if you see sides browning too fast, gently stir to redistribute.

Why cover casseroles when baking?

Covering traps in steam which softens vegetables and melds flavors. It also prevents the top from drying out or overbrowning.

Do casserole dishes have lids?

Special oven-safe lids can be purchased for casserole dishes. But foil tightly sealed over the dish makes an effective lid in most recipes.

Can you freeze casseroles?

Cooked casseroles freeze well up to 3 months. Let cool completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.

Should you thicken casserole sauce?

If casserole sauce seems thin, whisk in a bit of flour, cornstarch, or cream cheese before baking to reach desired consistency.

What oven temperature for casseroles?

The standard oven temperature for baking most casserole recipes is 375°F. This allows casseroles to bake fully without burning or drying out.

How do you fix a too liquidy casserole?

Absorb excess liquid by sprinkling casserole with breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or stuffing before baking. Or mix a cornstarch slurry into the liquid.

The History of Casserole Dishes

Casseroles have been around for centuries, first as a way to cook and serve stews. Here’s a brief history:

1700s

Casserole cooking gained popularity in France in the 1700s after the introduction of glazed earthenware pots. Their durability with high heat made them ideal for both cooking and serving.

1800s

In the late 1800s, casseroles served family-style meals became mainstays in American homes. Early casserole recipes used ingredients like rice, cheese, and canned soups.

1900 – 1930

Advancements in commercial food processing led to recipes using newly available canned and packaged ingredients like tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and canned beans.

1950s

Post WW2 era brought casseroles into the mainstream as they provided an easy, budget-friendly way to feed families. Appliance improvements enabled more oven usage.

1970s – 1980s

Casseroles popularity boomed with American home cooks. Church cookbooks and community cookbooks spread beloved regional casserole recipes nationwide.

Today

Casseroles remain popular for their versatility and ability to use up fridge leftovers. New modern twists feature fresh, healthy ingredients.

Interesting Casserole Statistics and Facts

Casserole Fun Facts

– Thanksgiving is the top holiday for casseroles, especially green bean casserole.

– “Hotdish” is the word Minnesotans use instead of casserole.

– Rice casserole recipes are incredibly popular in Asia and India.

– Mac and cheese is the casserole kids most request parents to make.

– The largest casserole dish ever was made in California in 1976 weighing 925 pounds!

Casserole Statistics

Total casseroles served in the U.S. annually 163 million
Number of U.S. church and community cookbooks with casserole recipes Over 50,000
Amount tuna noodle casserole outnumbers other tuna casserole recipes 3 to 1
Number of U.S. households that enjoy tuna casseroles regularly 4.2 million
Percentage of Americans who consider casseroles “comfort food” 68%

Green Bean Casserole Fun Facts

Year Campbell’s first published the green bean casserole recipe 1955
Number of cans of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup used annually in green bean casseroles Over 60 million
Amount French’s fried onions sells each year just for green bean casseroles Over 1 million canisters
Number of states that eat the most green bean casserole per capita Minnesota, Utah, Mississippi

The Definition of Casserole

After reviewing the history, ingredients, recipes, and data around America’s favorite baked dish, a casserole can be defined as:

A meal baked in a deep oven-safe dish that combines a starch, protein, vegetables, and a creamy sauce or binding agent. Casseroles provide a convenient way to utilize leftovers in a comforting, homestyle dish. Their versatility allows for both simple and customized recipes loved by families for generations.

Conclusion

Casseroles have cemented themselves as true American comfort food classics. They provide easy, hearty, and budget-friendly meals that bring back fond memories of potlucks and homecooked family dinners. Casserole recipes continue evolving with new ideas but maintain the basic formula that makes them special. Their popularity endures because casseroles nourish not only our bodies but our souls. With endless possibilities, there is a comforting casserole for every cook and every occasion.