Is there anything more satisfying than a casserole on a cool evening? Not only are casseroles the perfect comfort food, but they're also extremely easy to make. In only a few minutes, you can prepare a casserole and help the kids with their homework. Thirty minutes to an hour later, you'll have a delicious meal that your entire family will enjoy. Here are a couple recipes to help get you started.
Lean Beef and Vegetable Pasta Bake
Serves 4
- 1 pound of 93-percent lean ground beef
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- Sea salt, to taste
- Olive oil
- 2 green peppers, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons, minced garlic
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce
- 4 ounces of 2-percent mozzarella cheese
1. Cook ground beef and season to taste.
2. In the meantime, cook the vegetables and garlic in olive oil until slightly tender.
3. Boil pasta according to package directions.
4. Combine the meat, vegetables, sauce and pasta. Pour into an 8-inch dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
5. Top with cheese and bake at 400 degrees until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
6. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread and a side salad.
Chicken Mushroom Casserole
Serves 4
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Olive oil
- 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup of frozen pearl onions, thawed
- 1 jar of chicken gravy
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
1. Cook chicken in a skillet until cooked through and cut into bite-size pieces.
2. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil.
3. Combine the chicken, mushrooms, onions, gravy and seasonings.
4. Pour a quarter of the mixture into four large, oven-safe coffee mugs.
5. Roll out the prepared crust and use a large cookie cutter or paring knife to cut four circles of crust.
6. Top the mugs with the crust and bake at 350 degrees until the crust is golden brown.
Skip the long drawn out meals and let your casserole do the work.
