When there is an autumn nip in the air outdoors, the best welcome is the aroma from a casserole baking in the oven, just in time for the evening meal.
This week’s come recipes from a favourite cookbook and the family treasure of recipes gathered over the years.
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Hamburger Pie Plate Casserole
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tbsp. canola oil
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a large deep dish pie plate with non-stick spray.
In a large skillet, brown ground beef, onion and garlic together until fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
Stir in Italian seasoning, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Pour meat mixture into prepared pie plate.
In a bowl mix flour, canola oil, baking powder, milk and eggs. Pour over meat mixture. Sprinkle parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Bake about 30 minutes until crust is set. A toothpick inserted in the centre should come out clean. Serve with a salad and vegetable.
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Sausage and Vegetable Casserole
3 cups peeled and sliced potatoes
1 cup sliced onion
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1/4 cup uncooked rice
1 tin baby peas, including liquid
1 pkg. pork or beef sausages
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Other seasonings to taste
1 tin tomato soup
1 tin water
Grease a large casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Arrange potatoes on bottom of casserole. Top with onions, carrots, rice, peas, and seasonings. Spread sausages over the top. Mix soup and water and pour over the sausages.
Bake uncovered for one hour. Turn sausages and continue baking for one more hour.
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Chicken Soup Casserole
3 cups cooked chicken or turkey, cut into chunks
2-10 oz. cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt, pepper and other seasonings, to taste
3 cups plain panko bread crumbs
6 tbsps. butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
Place chicken in bottom of dish. Season as desired. Spoon and spread soup evenly over top. Sprinkle with cheese.
In a medium bowl, stir crumbs into warm, melted butter. Sprinkle over cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted and crumbs are golden brown.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
