Making a Casserole from What's on Hand

Helping you prepare healthy foods in a hurry

Alice Henneman, MS, Registered Dietitian and Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Making a Casserole from
What's on Hand

Dear CIQ:
I frequently have small amounts of leftovers and would like to mix them all together into some type of casserole. Can you give me some general suggestions for how to do this?

Try this recipe and turn leftovers into favorite family foods!

"Make-Your-Own" Casserole Makes 6 servings

General Directions:

Select food(s) from each category or use your own favorites. Combine in a buttered 2- to 2 1/2- quart casserole dish. Cover and bake at 350 F for about 50 minutes to 1 hour or microwave using 50% power for about 15 to 30 minutes, rotating or stirring as necessary. Heat until steaming hot (165 F) throughout.

Starch - select ONE:

2 cups uncooked pasta (macaroni, penne, spiral, bow tie), COOKED
1 cup uncooked long-grain white or brown rice, COOKED
4 cups uncooked noodles, COOKED

Protein - select ONE:

2 cups cooked ground beef
2 cups cooked and diced chicken, turkey, ham, beef, or pork
2 cups chopped hard-cooked egg
2 (6 to 8-oz.) cans fish or seafood, flaked
2 cups cooked or canned dry beans (kidney, etc.)

Vegetable - select ONE:

1 (10-oz.) pkg. thawed and drained frozen spinach, broccoli, green beans, green peas
1 (16-oz.) can green beans, peas, carrots, corn, drained
2 cups sliced fresh zucchini

Sauce - select ONE:

2 cups white sauce or 1 can sauce-type soup (mushroom, celery, cheese, tomato, etc.) mixed with milk to make 2 cups
1 (16-oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice

Flavor - select ONE or MORE:

1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup sliced black olives
1 - 2 teaspoons mixed dried leaf herbs (basil, thyme, marjoram, tarragon)
Salt and pepper to taste

Topping- select ONE or MORE:

If desired after heating, place on top:

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded Swiss, Cheddar, or Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs
1/4 to 1/2 cup canned fried onion rings

Return casserole with topping(s), uncovered, to oven for about 10 minutes or to microwave for about 2 minutes.

CIQ Comments:

Look forward to leftovers by turning them into creative casseroles!

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Developed By:

Alice C. Henneman, MS, RD
Extension Educator
University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County

Fax: (402) 441-7148
Phone: (402) 441-7180
E-Mail: ahenneman1@unl.edu
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu/food

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For more information about preparing healthy meals, contact your local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office; for the location of the office nearest you, click here. For a listing of Cooperative Extension Offices throughout the United States, click here.

Address: 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE 68528-1507, Phone: 402-441-7180

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