Casseroles Are My Best Friend | Family Economics

By Lori

As someone who has cooked for up to 50 cowboys at a time, I’ve learned that casseroles are everyone’s friend. These tasty meals can consist of meats, vegetables and even fruits baked in the oven. Casseroles can be thrown together using leftovers and/or pantry staples and they freeze very well.

You just can’t beat a warm casserole on a cold winter evening or when you are need of an easy way out for dinner.

What Makes Casseroles So Special?

It’s 6 p.m. and you just arrived home from work. The kids are home and your husband is wondering what you’re fixing for supper. Cooking is not necessarily at the top of your “things I’d love to be doing right now” list, but your family has to eat, right? You begin looking around the kitchen and discover there’s a little of this and a little of that in the refrigerator and cabinets. Throw it all together in a dish, bake it and you’ll soon have a nice meal to place on the table.

Casseroles are the perfect main dish. To round out the meal, add a salad or bowl of fruit, along with bread.

Convenience also comes into play with casseroles. Many of us like to make our meals for the week ahead of time. Casseroles freeze well and are easy to reheat. Just pull them out of the freezer and place them in a preheated oven. In an hour or so you have a meal fit for the entire family.

Not only are casseroles quick and easy, but they save time and money.

Casserole Ideas

Tuna casserole, vegetable casseroles, chicken casseroles, beef casseroles and mixed fruit casseroles are just a few ways of preparing a delicious meal. Some of my own popular casseroles include:

Mom’s Baked Ziti

Fiesta Biscuit Casserole

Baked Squash Casserole

And finally my famous, winning recipe, Shrimp Stroganoff Casserole that was featured in the Taste of Home Magazine!

Casseroles may have taken a back seat to fast food, microwaves and ready-to-serve meals, but in reality they may be one of the best ideas for our times. Take a look in your fridge and cabinets and see what you can find to make a casserole for dinner tonight.

And if you’re ever around Sweetwater, TX, drop by the ranch and I’ll make you one! Who knows, maybe my father-in-law will come over and make some of his famous King Ranch Camp Bread to go along with my casserole! Until next time, folks!