Archive for the ‘CASSEROLES’ Category
Cheesesteak Casserole
May 24, 2017 Lee
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Cheesesteak Casserole

Sounds really good, I will certainly have to stock up on Provolone cheese next time in Phuket but I will make this before going there and simply use Mozzarella. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 green bell peppers, chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 350 grams Provolone cheese, or Mozzarella, or a bit of both
  • 500 grams dry macaroni
  • salt and black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the garlic, season with salt and pepper as desired, add the Italian seasoning, drain fat off when cooked and remove beef to a bowl.
  • Same skillet, cook the peppers and onion until soft. While that is cooking, heat a pot of salted water to boiling then cook the pasta to just tender.
  • When the peppers and onions are done, add the ground beef back to the skillet and mix. Tear up the slices of cheese and add to the skillet and let them begin to melt, 2-3 minutes is all that is needed, it's ok if the cheese is not fully melted.
  • In a large heatproof mixing bowl, add the ground beef mixture and the drained pasta and mix everything together. Pour this into the baking dish and top with a few slices of Provolone, bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Serve.

Notes

The beef will cost about 150 Baht/750 grams. The cheese, Mozzarella, will cost about 250 Baht/350 grams. I cannot price Provolone yet. For 8 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning, Italian Sausage.
Variant: 1. Use Italian sausage in place of ground beef.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Taco Casserole
May 22, 2017 Lee
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Taco Casserole

Mention casserole, I like it! And this is really good. I was surprised I found nacho flavored tortillas up in the city, they are excellent as well, and made in Thailand with no preservatives as well. I made this on 2 June 2018, very well liked by the family. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 200 grams Nacho Cheese Doritos, about 1 bag
  • 500 grams ground beef, or ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 200 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • lettuce, shredded as needed
  • tomatoes, diced, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F).
  • Brown beef and onion in a skillet, drain off any fat, add taco seasoning and mix in. Mix together the Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese. Just starting. I used ground pork for this and two small diced onions.
  • Layer ingredients in a 9x13 pan as listed; crushed chips (just pour the bag of chips in and crush with your hands, seasoned meat, and 2/3 of cheese. (Now I messed up the cheese part, I added the 2/3 cheese to the meat in the pan, which actually turned out well and I have add that as a variant.)
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven, top with the remaining cheeses, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
  • Serve.

Notes

Ground beef will cost about 100 Baht, the Cheddar 180 Baht, and the Mozzarella 120 Baht. For 8 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning.
Variants: 1. Use a 7x11 baking dish instead of a 9x13 dish. 2. Mix the 2/3 cheese with the ground meat just before adding to the dish on top of the crushed chips.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole
May 20, 2017 Lee
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Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole

Sounds great, potatoes and chicken, two of my favorites. And a casserole, hard to go wrong with a casserole.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 8-10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • hot sauce, to taste
  • 2 cups fiesta blend cheese, or a mix of Cheddar and Mozzarella would work
  • 1 cup bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup spring onion, sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250 C. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce to taste. Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat. Carefully scoop the potatoes into the prepared baking dish, leaving behind as much of the olive oil mixture as possible. Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy and browned on the outside.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the left over olive oil mixture and stir to coat. Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 200 C. Top the cooked potatoes with the raw marinated chicken.
  • In a bowl ix together the cheese, bacon, and spring onion, and top the raw chicken with the cheese mixture. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the topping is bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

For the chicken this is about 75 Baht, the cheese, taking a guess at about 180 Baht for 2 cups. For 8 servings, this is about 94 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin
May 9, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

This sounds really good, only expensive part would be the cheese.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 1/2 kilos potatoes, sliced, 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 cup white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup beef broth, fresh or from powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste, for seasoning the beef

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground beef on the stove top, season with salt and pepper to your liking, drain well and set aside.
  • In a small bowl while the beef is browning, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  • Add half of the sliced potatoes to your slow cooker in a layer, add half of the onion in a layer, sprinkle over half of the seasoning mix, add half of the ground beef in a layer, add half of the cheese in a layer. Repeat the layers again. Drizzle the broth evenly over the top.
  • Cover and cook on High setting for 4 hours without opening the cover, opening the cover releases steam which is needed to properly cook the potatoes through.
  • Serve with a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

The ground beef will cost about 100 Baht/500 grams. The cheese, figure 180 Baht/250 grams (I would just go with a 250 gram block and shred that, about 100 grams in a cup, this would be 2 1/2 cups, fair enough). For 6 servings, this is about $1.37 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Chicken & Noodle Casserole
April 25, 2017 Lee
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Chicken & Noodle Casserole

Sounds really good, nice combination of cheeses as well. Simple ingredients.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cubed
  • 500 grams pasta, Ziti, Penne, or any bite size pasta
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely minced
  • olive oil, as needed
  • 1 bell pepper, any color, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 stalk imported celery, diced, or a lot of Thai celery
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, or vegetable stock
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese, or Bleu cheese, crumbled
  • 2 cups Havarti cheese, or Swiss cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in a pot of lightly salted boiling water until just tender. Drain well and mix in the garlic, set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • In a large skillet, heat a splash of olive oil and add the bell pepper, onion, and celery and cook for 3-5 minutes to soften them. Then mix in the paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the chicken to the skillet and mix occasionally to just cook the chicken through, takes just a few minutes. Mix in the flour and cook for another minute or two.
  • Add the stock to the skillet and the Gorgonzola cheese and mix it in and let the cheese melt. Remove from heat and mix the chicken and vegetable mixture into the pasta.
  • Pour the pasta mixture into a lightly oiled 9x13 baking dish, sprinkle the Havarti cheese over the top and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and just starting to brown.

Notes

Three chicken breasts might cost 60 Baht. The Havarti (or Swiss) cheese will be about 180 Baht, and the Gorgonzola (or Bleu) will cost about 100 Baht. For 8 servings, this is about $1.25 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Finnish Cauliflower Rye Casserole
April 23, 2017 Lee
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Finnish Cauliflower Rye Casserole

In the Finnish language, this is called Kukkakaalialaatikko. This sounds like a good dish to me. This would be a good side for any main dish.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Finnish
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup beer
  • 3 cups rye bread, cubed, about 4 slices
  • 1 head fresh cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces plus stem
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 3 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, or Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • The beer needs to be flat, so measure it and let it sit for about an hour on the counter before you start cooking.
  • Toast the bread cubes in one layer at 150 C until they're crisp, not toasted. About 15 minutes. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Heat the oven to 180 C.
  • In a skillet, cook the cauliflower and caraway seeds in the butter until barely tender. Add this to the bowl with the bread cubes, add the cheese and mix to combine. Spread this mixture into a 8 inch square baking dish or a 7x11 baking dish.
  • In a bowl, mix the beer, eggs, mustard, coriander, and black pepper as desired. Pour this over the bread mixture. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until puffed up slightly and golden brown.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES,SIDES
Hamburger Casserole II
April 17, 2017 Lee
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Hamburger Casserole II

Sounds like a great casserole, on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 small potatoes
  • 1 kilo ground beef
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • In a large skillet brown the ground beef, drain fat, and set aside.
  • While the beef is cooking, slice the potatoes thin, a mandolin would be the perfect tool for this.
  • In a bowl, mix together the soup, milk, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Once the beef is cooked and everything else prepped, assemble the casserole. First, place 1/2 of the potatoes in the baking dish, then spread out 1/2 the beef, then 1/2 of the soup mixture, then 1/2 the cheese. Repeat these layers using the remain potatoes, beef, soup, and cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake another 30 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes, then cut, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Figure about 200 Baht for the 1 kilo of beef and 100 Baht for the cheese. For 6 servings this is about $1.47 per serving.
Shortcut: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Hamburger Casserole I
April 17, 2017 Lee
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Hamburger Casserole I

Cannot go wrong with a casserole, any of them can be easily changed to your taste. This is an old classic casserole that is just that, add or remove anything you want, make it your own. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry pasta, shells, spirals, or macaroni
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 cans tomato soup, OR make from a shortcut, 2 1/2 cups
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Add the pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook until just tender, drain.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic, season to taste with salt and pepper. After the beef is cooked, drain the fat and add the soup and 1/2 can of water or if you made soup from the shortcut, add 1/2 cup of water. Stir and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
  • Pour cooked pasta into the baking dish and then pour the beef mixture over the pasta and stir. Sprinkle the cheeses over the top, cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes, serve.

Notes

Beef would cost about 100 Baht/500 grams. Cheeses would cost about 180 Baht for the 2 cups. For 6 servings this is about $1.38 per serving.
Shortcut: Tomato Soup.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
April 7, 2017 Lee
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Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

Sounds like a great casserole. On my to cook list for sure.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 head fresh cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces plus stem
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Place cauliflower in a large saucepan with 1 inch of water over medium heat. Cover and steam until just tender. Drain cauliflower and place in a large bowl. Add chicken and cheese to bowl and toss together.
  • Heat olive oil in a medium pan over medium high heat, add spinach and garlic and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Add spinach to chicken and pour in beaten eggs. Season again with salt and pepper.
  • Pour mixture into baking dish and place in oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until set and edges begin to brown and pull away from the side of the dish.
  • Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Only thing expensive with this dish is the cheese, figure about 180 Baht for a 250 gram block. For 6 servings this is about 88 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Creamy Chicken Casserole
April 1, 2017 Lee
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Creamy Chicken Casserole

Sounds good and easy to put together. On my to cook list. Several shortcuts to use for this for cost savings. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked chicken, diced, see Step 1
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 3/4 cups milk, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup corn meal
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • For the chicken, several ways you can cook the chicken. Boil the chicken, think thighs and legs for the most flavor, skin on bone in, or you can use breasts. OR you can bake the chicken in the oven and use that. Boiling will give you broth for use in other recipes. I would go with 1 kilo of chicken, cook, and dice, anything extra, save for use in maybe an omelet or two or for condensed cream of chicken soup from a shortcut. Before you dice, remove all skin, bone, and cartridge.
  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly butter a 9x13 baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of milk, mix well. Stir in the chicken, salt, and pepper. Pour into the baking dish.
  • Wipe out the bowl used and now add and mix together the Bisquick mix, cornmeal, egg, and remaining 3/4 cup of milk. Spoon this over the chicken. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the casserole is hot. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

For the chicken, a safe bet would be to cook 1 kilo of chicken for the 3 cups of cooked diced chicken. One kilo of say chicken quarters (or even legs, thighs, or breasts is about 65 Baht/kilo. For 6 servings, this is about 32 cents per serving. Great value. Use the shortcuts as well.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Bisquick Mix, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES