Here’s a flexible basic casserole formula you can adapt with your favorite meat, veggies, or starch.
🥘 Ingredients (serves 6)
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Protein: 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, chicken, turkey, or sausage
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Veggies: 2 cups chopped vegetables (peas, corn, carrots, green beans, broccoli, etc.)
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Starch: 3 cups cooked pasta, rice, or potatoes (cubed or hash browns)
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Binder: 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
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Liquid: ½ cup milk or sour cream (makes it creamy)
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Cheese: 2 cups shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix
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Seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika to taste
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Crunchy topping (optional): breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or fried onions
👩🍳 Instructions
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Cook Protein
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In a skillet, cook your choice of meat until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Mix Filling
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In a large bowl, combine cooked protein, vegetables, starch, soup, milk/sour cream, and 1 cup cheese. Stir until well mixed.
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Assemble
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Spread mixture into a greased 9×13 casserole dish.
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Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
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Add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for a crispy topping (optional).
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Bake
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
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If topping, broil for the last 2–3 minutes for extra crunch.
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Serve
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Let rest 5 minutes, then scoop and enjoy!
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✅ Tips & Variations
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Use rotisserie chicken + frozen veggies + pasta for a super quick version.
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Make it Tex-Mex: add taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and top with crushed tortilla chips. 🌮
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Breakfast style: use hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheese. 🥔🍳