A casserole is any dish prepared in a wide, deep baking dish, also called a casserole dish, and is baked in the oven. The casserole can be of different kinds stacked up in layers like Italian lasagne or can be a combination of protein, vegetables, or binder. Usually, it is a one-pot meal that contains different ingredients.
Dating back to the eighteenth century, casserole grew in popularity mainly because it was easy to cook and serve. Again, in the twentieth century, with the introduction of canned and processed food, it became possible to prepare casseroles using these already-prepared food components.
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5 Quick and Cheap Casserole Recipes
Cheap casserole recipes are one of the most preferred budget-friendly meals. Not only they are delicious but have ingredients that are affordable to buy in almost any grocery store! Below are a few cheap casseroles recipes that you should try!
Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Is there anything cheaper and easier than chicken and rice? Certainly not. It’s the kind of recipe that we turn to in any season. The best thing about this recipe is that every ingredient is prepared at the same time and you can toss it in one dish and get it ready within an hour.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (cut in cubes), water, white rice cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup for creamy and rich texture, salt and pepper, and butter.
Preparation:
Step 1: Mix all ingredients
Step 2: Grease the sides and bottom of the casserole dish and preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
Step 3: pour rice, chicken, water, cream of celery soup, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup into a casserole-prepared dish; pour salt and pepper. Now mix all the ingredients well.
Place butter cubes on top of the mixture.
Step 5: Place the dish in a preheated oven for 1 hour to 75 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the rice is tender. When baked, cool it down for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Budget-Friendly Ground Beef Casserole (Stroganoff)
Here is another easy and cheap casserole recipe! Loaded with tater tots, warm sour cream noodle gives a comforting thought. It’s hearty, rich, and meaty! This 30-minute meal is an ideal choice for busy weeknights. The best part? You can even add the veggies of your choice like cabbage to keep the casserole on a lighter and healthier side. Don’t get scared by the list of ingredients as these are simple and found in every kitchen 😊
Ingredients: Ground beef, 1 onion, salt/pepper, 2 garlic cloves, 3 tablespoon butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 2.5 cups beef broth, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 cup frozen peas, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 8 oz. egg noodles (uncooked) and Parsley
Tip: while you cook, place sour cream near the stove to melt it. Shred the cheese and it will spread and melt better.
Instructions:
Step 1: cook the ground beef for 2 minutes. Now add onions and cook until the beef is cooked. Cook it for 3 more minutes.
Step 2: now add the garlic cloves and cook the meat for 2 minutes,
Step 3: stir the butter in the meat until melted. Now sprinkle the flour, mix it well, and cook for 2 minutes or until the smell of flour is disappeared.
Step 4: Now mix the beef broth slowly and keep stirring it. Don’t add too much of it at once.
Step 5: Bring it to a boil and then lower the heat. Now add the sour cream. Frozen peas, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and half of the cheese. To melt the sour cream, stir it well.
Step 6: While you boil pasta, let the sauce simmer. Now drain and add pasta to the sauce and stir.
Step 7: transfer it to a casserole dish
Step 8: top it with cheese, cover, and let it bake for 20 minutes. Once baked, sprinkle it with parsley and it is ready to serve!
Affordable Tuna Noodle Casserole
If you are a seafood lover and want a quick, easy, and cheap casserole for lunch or dinner, Tuna noodle casserole is your life-saver! It is full of nutrients, easy to make, and delicious.
Ingredients: 1 cream of mushroom soup, 1lb egg noodles, ½ cup milk, grated cheese, and ½ chopped onion.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Step 2: boil and drain the noodles.
Step 3: except for the cheese, mix well all the ingredients together.
Step 4: pour this mixture into a casserole dish.
Step 5: top it with cheese and bake for 15 minutes. Once the cheese is melted, it is ready to be served!
Tip: you can also add peas, corn, broccoli, or any other canned vegetable.
Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
Potatoes and cheese are two ingredients that are loved by nearly all of us! As well as these are quick and easy to cook. This cheesy potato casserole recipe is simple and it’s guaranteed everyone will be back to finish the leftovers! Whether it’s for a holiday dinner or an everyday meal, it is a go-to dish you would love to try.
Ingredients: ½ cup melted butter, 2 cups of sour cream, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 1 cup chopped onions, 1 bag (30 oz) frozen country-style shredded hash brown potatoes, and 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Step 2: combine all the ingredients in a large bowl
Step 3: pour into an ungreased casserole dish
Step 4: Now, bake it for 45 minutes
Take the dish out of the oven after 45 minutes and it is ready to be served.
Zucchini Pasta Casserole
Like other cheap casserole recipes, this Zucchini Pasta casserole is fun and the ideal dinner for a lazy weekend night!
Ingredients:
1lb Zucchini sliced into quarters, non-stick cooking spray, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and ground pepper for taste, 16 ounces pasta, 1/3 cup diced onion, ¼ Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 24 ounces of marinara sauce, 1/4 cup vegan parmesan shredded cheese, 1/2 cup vegan shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread foil on a baking sheet
Step 2: Spray the casserole dish with cooking spray
Step 3: in a bowl, toss Zucchini with olive oil. And shift the Zucchini to the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the Zucchini slices in an even layer, add salt and pepper for taste. Now, bake for 10 minutes.
Step 4: cook the pasta as instructed on the package, drain, and keep it aside.
Step 5: in a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, add onion and Italian seasoning in hot oil. Cook for 2 minutes and let it soften. Add the garlic and cook for more than 30 seconds. Now add and stir the marinara sauce.
Step 6: pour the marinara sauce over the pasta and make a layer of it. Now shift it to the prepared casserole dish.
Step 7: now spread the cooked Zucchini over pasta and sprinkle it with parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Step 8: now bake it for 20 minutes. Once the cheeses are melted, it is ready to be served.
Conclusion
Casseroles are not only healthy and time-saving but also light on your pocket. The best thing about cheap casserole recipes is that you can add your own variations in ingredients such as add vegetables, corn, or any other easy-to-bake ingredient.
Share with us in the comments below, which cheap casserole recipe did your try!
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