Archive for the ‘CASSEROLES’ Category
Creamy Burrito Casserole
December 22, 2015 Lee
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Creamy Burrito Casserole

An easy to make casserole. I will be trying this one soon! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR chopped chicken
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 6 large flour tortillas
  • 1 can refried beans, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2-3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 ounces sour cream, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • Brown the ground beef and onion, drain off the fat. Add taco seasoning and stir in refried beans (the home made slow cooker refried beans recipe on this site would be an excellent choice) and cook for just a few minutes, then remove from heat and set aside.
  • Mix the soup (no water) and sour cream in a separate bowl.
  • Spread 1/2 the soup mixture in the bottom of a baking dish. Tear up 3 tortillas and spread over the soup mixture.
  • Spread 1/2 the meat mixture of the tortillas, and add a layer of cheese.
  • Repeat the layers ending up with cheese on the top.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown a bit and is bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

500 grams of minced pork is about 55 Baht, ground beef would be about 110 Baht for 500 grams. Tortillas, store bought, will add to the cost about 200 Baht, Cheddar cheese will add 180 Baht minimum. For 6 servings, this is about $2.14 per serving.
If you make the shortcuts listed, this will reduce the cost.
The beauty of this recipe, you can easily tailor this, such as using chicken instead of beef or pork, adding fresh chilis, etc.
Shortcuts: Taco Seasoning, Refried Beans, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES
Chicken Broccoli Divan
November 29, 2015 Lee
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Chicken Broccoli Divan

This recipe can be adapted in so many ways. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups broccoli, florests and stems, bit size pieces, cooked
  • 2 cups chicken, cubed, cooked
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, grated (more if you like cheese!)
  • 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs, OR use the shortcut on this site
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C.
  • Boil or steam the broccoli and measure out 4 cups and add to a standard pie pan (23 cm/9 inch).
  • Boil your chicken, thighs and legs would be nice in this dish, then de-bone them and cube, add to the pie pan and mix a bit with the broccoli. If you add some chicken bones you saved from another recipe, add those to the pot along with some celery and carrot and make stock while you cook the chicken for use in another recipe.
  • Mix the soup and milk in a small bowl and pour mixture over the broccoli and chicken. Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese over the top.
  • Mix the bread crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl, sprinkle that over the cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve. A green salad would work well with this.

Notes

Chicken quarters are about 57 Baht/kilo, buy a kilo and go with that. Broccoli I will mention as that is import item and is 55 Baht/kilo. For 4 servings this would be about 83 cents per serving, the cheese is minimal with 1/2 cup.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Breadcrumbs.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Sausage & Green Bean Casserole
November 10, 2015 Lee
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Sausage & Green Bean Casserole

Instead of sausage, try using chicken thigh meat lightly chopped. Lots of variables here, for sausage you can use spicy smoked, Italian, or even Bangers. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pork sausage, (1 lb), Shortcut
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • bread crumbs, Shortcut
  • 1 kilo long beans, cut into 1 inch pieces, (2 lbs)
  • fresh mushrooms, optional, chopped, a good handful or two or three

Instructions
 

  • If using bulk sausage, crumble into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain grease, and set aside. If using sausage links, cook them until done, then remove and slice into 1/4 inch or so rounds. If using chicken thighs, remove the bone and cut into bite pieces then cook until done. Cook the mushrooms if using those with the meat.
  • Preheat the oven to 180 C, grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter or use a non-stick dish.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the soup, milk, garlic, and pepper. Mix in the sausage or chicken, then add the green beans, and stir until evenly coated. Pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the bread crumbs. Spread remaining green bean mixture over the bread crumbs.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the rest of the breadcrumbs over the top. Return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes, or until the bread crumbs are toasty, and green beans are cooked to your desired doneness. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Italian sausage made yourself this would be 125 Baht/kilo. Spicy Smoked Sausage runs about 250 Baht/1 kilo. English pork Bangers (large pork sausage) runs about 200 Baht/1 kilo. Chicken thighs can run between 56-60 Baht/kilo (buy quarters and cut yourself, and remove skin as well for this recipe). Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless would run about 87 Baht/kilo.
For this recipe I will use the Spicy Smoked Sausage at 250 Baht/kilo. 500 grams would be needed, so that cost is 125 Baht. The soup would be about 50-55 Baht/can, and much cheaper if you made yourself from a shortcut.
All other items are minimal. Cost would be just under $1 per serving, even less with homemade sausage, pork bangers, or chicken.
Shortcuts: Sausage, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Breadcrumbs.
Variant: 1. Use whipping cream in place of milk.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Tuna Casserole I
November 8, 2015 Lee
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Tuna Casserole I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is an easy to assemble casserole, simple but but nice quality flavor. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Pan (9x13 inch)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry elbow macaroni, (1 lb)
  • 3 cans tuna, in water, drained, or 1½ cups fresh cooked, (about 185 g / 7 oz cans), Shortcut
  • 1 can corn, drained, or 2 cups frozen or fresh, (425 g / 15 oz)
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, (10½ oz / 298 g), Shortcut
  • 225 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, (8 oz)
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of salted water to boiling, then add the macaroni and cook until just tender, drain. Once the macaroni is added to the boiling water, go ahead and preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F) and get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, and add the drained corn, tuna, and soup to the baking dish.
  • Mix together.
  • Drain the macaroni when done and pour into the baking dish. Using a large spoon, mix everything together thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste, spreading the mixture out evenly.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
  • Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Fresh Tuna, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Variants: 1. Use chicken or chicken mushroom soup in place of mushroom soup. 2. Use peas or peas and carrots in place of corn.
Updated on 9 June 2023.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES,Fish - Tuna
Chicken & Spaghetti Bake
November 5, 2015 Lee
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Chicken & Spaghetti Bake

I would use 200 grams Mature Cheddar instead of the Parmesan. Served with a green salad this would be a delicious meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mixed
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams spaghetti
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • olive oil
  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cubed
  • salt and pepper, to your liking
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
  • 1 CUP button mushrooms, heaping, sliced
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock, a bit over is good! Or use white wine
  • 2 cups cream
  • 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 100 grams Cheddar cheese, grated
  • sprig fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Fry the onion in a splash of olive oil, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and brown them gently in the oil, add the garlic and fresh mushrooms, add the wine (stock) and turn the heat down, simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and the wine (stock) has reduced a little.
  • Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling, salted water and then drain well.
  • Add the cream to the pan of chicken then bring to the boil and turn the heat off, season well with salt and pepper.
  • Add the drained spaghetti to the creamy chicken sauce and toss well, add the Parmesan cheese (or cheddar) and all of the basil and stir well.
  • Transfer to an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake in the oven until golden brown, bubbling and crisp.
  • Divide between your plates, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the rest of the cheese over before serving. Serve with a salad.

Notes

4 chicken breasts, in 4-6 portions, well within $1 per meal per person. Make the chicken stock yourself and you save even more.
This is a good dish to add broccoli and sliced carrot to and will not hurt the price that much but makes is healthier, or just serve as a side dish.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Baked Chicken & Mushroom Penne
October 20, 2015 Lee
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Baked Chicken & Mushroom Penne

Easy to assemble casserole that is filling. 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 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili, deseeded and finely chopped, optional
  • 250 grams button mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cups chicken stock, homemade, canned, or made from powder
  • 2 tablespoons corn flour
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, OR 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 500 grams Penne pasta, cooked, follow package instructions

Topping

  • 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180° C.
  • In a large frying pan, heat oil. Add chicken, and sauté for about 3 – 4 minutes, turn over half way during the cooking time, remove chicken and set aside.
  • Add onion and chili to the pan and sauté until onions are translucent, the add mushrooms and fry gently for a further 2 – 3 minutes.
  • Return the chicken to the mixture, then add chicken stock. Simmer for a further 8 – 10 minutes.
  • Make a smooth paste with the corn flour and cream, reduce the heat, and add corn flour paste to the chicken, stir through until sauce is smooth and has thickened. Add thyme, paprika, mustard powder, and lemon juice, and mix through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the pasta and chicken mixture, pour into a greased ovenproof dish.
  • Sprinkle with breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, and then top with shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is golden in color.

Notes

500 grams (1 pound) of chicken breasts is minimum, other ingredients are either on hand or very low cost as well. Well under $1 per person.
Shortcut: Breadcrumbs.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES,MUSHROOMS