Cooking Cheap and Easy Casserole...

[poohbear158]

Made this tonight and it was a big hit. I used chicken instead of ground beef only because we had beef for dinner last night and I didn't want it two nights in a row and I used flour tortillas because my supermarket didn't have corn tortillas. Thanks so much for the recipe. Next time I will try it with the beef... I'm sure it will be just as yummy as the chicken

Enchilada Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
12 corn tortillas
2 cups chedder cheese
1 can red enchilada sauce
1 can green chilis
1 small bag of Fritos (optional)

1. Brown ground beef and mix in soup and chilis.

2. Layer casserole dish with corn tortillas, top with half of meat mixritre, and then add half can of sauce and cheese.

3. Add another layer as above and top with cheese and crush Fritos.

4. Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and casserole bubbles.

I can throw this together in about 20 minutes and it tastes so good! People always want the recipe!

 

[dawnball]

I grew up vegetarian and we ate this a lot. We called it "Glop", which is something of a long story - but it's quite tasty.

Take 1 lb of elbow noodles. Add 1.5-2 qts of water, a small can of tomato paste, garlic powder, a couple of pinches of dried oregano and basil. Microwave for about 15 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave) or until all the water is absorbed by the pasta. Stir in 3/4lb of monterey jack cheese cut into smallish cubes. Let sit about 5 minutes for cheese to melt and serve without stirring.

This should work in an oven, and you could add browned ground beef with the water/tomato paste. Or use 1 jar of tomato sauce + 1/2 jar of water instead of the other liquid.

 

[RumpleMom]

I get the free Kraft recipe book too. It is fantastic! I made the salmon cake recipe from the newest issue. We now have a new family favorite way to eat salmon.

There are several more recipes I know my family will like.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Made this tonight and it was a big hit. I used chicken instead of ground beef only because we had beef for dinner last night and I didn't want it two nights in a row and I used flour tortillas because my supermarket didn't have corn tortillas. Thanks so much for the recipe. Next time I will try it with the beef... I'm sure it will be just as yummy as the chicken

I'm glad you liked it! I have made it with chicken and green enchilda sauce, too. This is one of my favorite recipes!

 

[swilshire]

I was sick after the holidays and barely ate for a week. Once I started getting my appetite back, I was craving this simple little dish we hadn't made in years.

Take a large can of beef stew
Add a couple of spoons of sour cream
Heat it up until it's nice and bubbly
Top with some Bisquick mix prepared as on the package
Back at 400 or so until the topping is nice and brown

Nice comfort food for the cold days.

Sheila

 

[kaysmommie]

This is easy and you can make in in the morning, store in the fridge and cook when you get home.

4 chicken breast (cubed or whole)
2 cans cream of Chicken or mushroom(somethimes I will try one can of each)
salt/pepper to taste
1 box of stuffing mix
shredded cheese of your choice

Put chicken in a dish, dump soup on top. Cook 350 for 30 min. With 5 mins left, make stuffing mix on stove top according to directions. Put on top of casserole, spread cheese on top. Bake until cheese is melted.

This is very good. You could add veggies if you want.

Do you add water to the soup or just leave it thick? Thanks going to try this one tonight probably.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Do you add water to the soup or just leave it thick? Thanks going to try this one tonight probably.

I made this last night! I didn't add water to the soup, but I added only 1 can of cream of chicken soup. I don't like casseroles too "slimey". It worked fine for me!

 

[hallie615]

keep those ideas comming

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

This is a recipe from my mom that my family has eaten *forever*.

Hamburger Stew

Brown 1 lb. ground beef (drain), also add some onion if desired.

In a large casserole dish mix:
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can water

Add 1 can of corn (drained)
4-6 Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Ground Beef

Salt and pepper to taste and bake @ 350 degrees until potatoes are cooked...usually 1-1/2 hours or so.

 

[tinknme]

This sounds good!

I made the Tator Tot casserole last night & everyone loved it! I only used 1 can of soup & mixed that with the hamburger(added onion also). I used the onion flavored tots & sprinkled some cheese on top.

This is a recipe from my mom that my family has eaten *forever*.

Hamburger Stew

Brown 1 lb. ground beef (drain), also add some onion if desired.

In a large casserole dish mix:
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can water

Add 1 can of corn (drained)
4-6 Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Ground Beef

Salt and pepper to taste and bake @ 350 degrees until potatoes are cooked...usually 1-1/2 hours or so.

 

[ntburns22]

This is easy and you can make in in the morning, store in the fridge and cook when you get home.

4 chicken breast (cubed or whole)
2 cans cream of Chicken or mushroom(somethimes I will try one can of each)
salt/pepper to taste
1 box of stuffing mix
shredded cheese of your choice

Put chicken in a dish, dump soup on top. Cook 350 for 30 min. With 5 mins left, make stuffing mix on stove top according to directions. Put on top of casserole, spread cheese on top. Bake until cheese is melted.

This is very good. You could add veggies if you want.

This is great in the crock-pot too! I layer the chicken, soup, sliced swiss cheese, and top with a box of stuffing as is.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Quick and easy "lasagna"

Brown hambuger or ground turkey with onions and garlic, drain fat
add 1 large jar of your favorite sauce, I add brown sugar to sweeten the sauce
use cheese ravioli and layer in a 13 x 9 pan, spoon hamburger/sauce mix over it
sprinkle with shredded cheese, repeat layers. Bake at 350 until cooked thru
fast and easy lasagna, and cheap if you can get the ravioli and meat on sale!

I'm making this tonight!! I think I read I can use frozen ravioli, right?? And how long do I cook it if the ravioli is frozen? If thawed? If cooked? thanks!

 

[StephMK]

My fav easy comfort food is hot chicken salad. Cook chicken breasts, cut up & mix w/as much cooked rice as you want to make. Add 1-2 cans cream of chic or mushroom, can of water chestnuts, celery, scoop or two of mayo & couple splashes of milk, salt & pepper to taste. Bake until hot. Great hot or cold and can play around w/ the amount of ingredients as needed. Loved this as a new mom when I didn't want to eat anything spicy and we love it as comfort food now. Very simple, on the bland side but everyone that I've made it for seems to love it.

 

[poohbear158]

Cabbage rolls without the rolling
Mix about 1 to 2 cups of cooked rice (do to your preference) with a pound of leaner hamburger, salt and pepper to your liking (or I prefer Cavander's Greek Seasoning) and a small to med onion finely chopped. In separate bowl, mix 2 cans of tomato sauce with about a tablespoon or two Worchestershire. In crockpot, layer a third of a small cabbage (I just slice it up). Then a layer of meat mixture. I pour tomato mixture and Greek Seasoning (or Salt and Pepper) over every layer. I usually get 3 layers of cabbage and two of meat. Prefer to cook high for an hour or two and low the rest of day, but if start early in day, can cook low all day.

Do you brown the meat first or do you put it in the crockpot raw? I think I'm going to try this one out tomorrow for dinner.

 

[snowman]

Some great recipes here - I can't wait to try them myself.

A couple of our favorites include

Hamburg Hushy-Gungy (don't ask about the name)
1 lb Hamburg, browned w/ onions, green peppers, celery (to taste)
Drain and stir in one can of Cream of Favorite soup (I use Cream of Chicken for everything). Simmer for 5 minutes (until soup is warmed thru).
Meanwhile - cook 1 lb of Egg Noodles
Drain Noodles and return to pan or serving bowl.
Stir in the hamburger/soup mixture.
Serve with a veggie or salad.

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Bake
Pour 2 cans of Cheese & Broccoli (or plain Cheese) soup into a large baking pan (like a 9x13 cake pan).
Stir in 1 1/2 cans of water and 2 cans of instant rice.
Mix together until the rice is well coated.
Place 4 uncooked, boneless chicken breasts on top of the rice.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the whole pan.
Bake for about an 45 minutes at 400 degrees (until the chicken is done).

 

[Jodi3530]

Chicken Enchilada

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup diced green chilis
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated jack cheese
or 1 cup kraft mexican blend cheese
8 tortillas
3 cups shredded cooked chicken

Mix all together except tortillas and chicken. Save out 1/2 cup. Add chicken. spoon into the tortillas fold and roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Add 1/4 cup milk to the 1/2 cup reserved mixture. Pour over top sprinkle with extra cheese. Bake at 375 for 30 to 40 minutes uncovered. Serve with sour cream and salsa. Beef may be substituted for chicken and cream of chicken with cream of mushroom

Mexican Lasagna

1 pound cooked ground beef
1 can refired beans
2 tsp dried oregeno
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 garlic powder
9 lasagna noodles
1 jar salsa
2 cups water
2 cups sour cream
1 can black olives
1 cup mexican blend cheese

mix first 5 ingredients
layer with noodles
mix salsa and water pour over
bake at 350 for 60 to 70 minutes
spread with sour cream black olives and cheese.

 

[disneyhopeful]

just subscribing. Always looking for different meal ideas.

 

[mommymcqueenof3]

Here is one that I haven't seen, it's one of our favorites:

Chicken and Brocolli Cassorole

1 bag of frozen brocolli, cooked
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup milk
1 can of chicken
1 pack of shredded cheddar cheese

Place cooked brocolli in bottom of cassorole dish.
Mix soup, milk, and chicken together and spread over the brocolli.
Top with cheese.
Cook in microwave for about 20-25 minutes.

ENJOY!!

 

[pjlla]

Just chiming in here. If you are cooking these casseroles to save money, try making the "cream of whatever" soup base yourself. Just make a basic white sauce and add your "whatever". For example, when you melt the butter or margarine, add diced celery (or mushrooms). Add the flour, then the stock or milk, salt and pepper to taste. Instant "cream of celery" soup. I don't do it all the time, but have frequently done it when I am in a pinch and out of the cream soup (we live 30 minutes from a grocery store). You can also add cheese for creamy cheese soup or cheese sauce. Sometimes I add a pinch of dried mustard to perk up the flavor.

BTW, I didn't put in measurements because I figure most people have a basic white sauce recipe, but I can get them if neede.

One other question....

I love all of these recipes and they sound yummy, but doesn't anyone else have a weight problem?? If I ate these frequently I would look like Pooh Bear! I did notice that someone had "lightened up" their recipe. Any more like that??

Thanks to much to all for sharing!.................P

 

[pjlla]

While I am here, I have a recipe to share! Not a casserole, but an easy and inexpensive soup. I got it from Taste of Home a few years ago, but have modified it for myself.

Potato Soup

6 cups cubed peeled potatoes

5 cups water

2 cups chopped onion (I usually use 1 cup or less)

1/2 C chopped celery

1/2 C chopped or thinly sliced carrots

1/4 C butter or margarine (I have made it without either and it is still good)

4 tsp. Chicken bouillion granules or 4 bouillion cubes

2 tsp. salt (I usually don't add until I taste it... the bouillion is salty)

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 can evaporated milk (I have only ever used the fat free... tastes just fine)

3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (I've never added it)

The recipe calls for this to be a crockpot recipe, but I have also made it on the stove.

Combine first nine ingredients in the slow cooker or stock pot on the stove. Cover and cook on high until veggies are tender (7 hours in the crockpot, approximately 20 - 30 minutes on the stove on medium high). Add milk and parsley, stir well, cook until heated through.

At this point I usually remove about 3-4 cups of the soup from the pot and puree it in my blender and then add it back. It makes the soup nice and creamy without added fat.

If you made this in the crockpot you would probably want to prep the vegetables the night before. If you leave the potatoes soaking in the fridge in a pot of water, they won't brown up.

Bon Appetit!.............P