Are casseroles trashy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I made a chicken tater tot casserole on Friday. We had the leftovers for lunch yesterday. Not particularly healthy but we all liked it, it was easy to make and not expensive. I used cream of cauliflower soup instead of cream of chicken to make it slightly more nutritious.

Not judging your actual casserole, but using cream of cauliflower soup isn't actually going to make it healthier. Just an illusion. If you added actual cauliflower then yes. In case you want to use cream of chicken next time...I give you permission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Casseroles are such a broad category that they can really be anything, no?

This. "Cassoroles" as a broad category, aren't trashy. However, if they include things like tater tots, ground chuck, cream of something soup, or Velvetta, cream cheese (or another cheese-like product), then yes they are trashy.

Things like homemade shepard's pie, lasagna, pasta bakes, eggplant parmigiana, anything au gratin...as long as the ingredients are good quality and it is homemade, it is fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plz share your best casserole recipes. Whenever I make them they’re underwhelming.

Tuna Noodle Casserole with Leeks and Fresh Dill http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tuna-noodle-casserole-with-leeks-and-fresh-dill

That actually looks really good and not at all like the scary 1990s version of my youth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Casseroles are such a broad category that they can really be anything, no?

This. "Cassoroles" as a broad category, aren't trashy. However, if they include things like tater tots, ground chuck, cream of something soup, or Velvetta, cream cheese (or another cheese-like product), then yes they are trashy.

Things like homemade shepard's pie, lasagna, pasta bakes, eggplant parmigiana, anything au gratin...as long as the ingredients are good quality and it is homemade, it is fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not American. Are there good vegetarian casseroles?

I make a zucchini casserole that is vegetarian. Well, it uses chicken flavor stovetop stuffing, but I consider it vegetarian. I also make a broccoli cheese casserole, and a broccoli cheese with rice casserole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not American. Are there good vegetarian casseroles?

Yes!

I make a barley casserole with black beans, zucchini, red pepper and a cheddar sauce I make from scratch.

Cheese enchilada casserole is good too.

I once made a casserole that was a sort of celery root gratin with black lentils. It was amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Casseroles are such a broad category that they can really be anything, no?

This. "Cassoroles" as a broad category, aren't trashy. However, if they include things like tater tots, ground chuck, cream of something soup, or Velvetta, cream cheese (or another cheese-like product), then yes they are trashy.

Things like homemade shepard's pie, lasagna, pasta bakes, eggplant parmigiana, anything au gratin...as long as the ingredients are good quality and it is homemade, it is fine

It never ceases to amaze me how far people can fit their heads up their own backsides.

[Anonymous]

Trashy? No

Unhealthy? Yes

[Anonymous]

I think people turn up their noses at casseroles because so many recipes call for cream-of-whatever soups, canned vegetables, and other processed ingredients. They are a throwback to the "dark ages" of American cooking, much like those molded Jello salads. But if you use fresh, high quality ingredients, casseroles can be amazing.

One of our favorite casseroles is this chicken and wild rice casserole by Amy Thielen: https://www.seriouseats.com/classic-chicken-and-wild-rice-hotdish-from-th

I use natural wild rice rather than cultivated, and I add wild mushrooms. So good on a cold day.

Another favorite is this squash casserole that I make with yellow summer squash from my garden or the farmer's market.

4 tablespoons butter (more for greasing the baking dish)
1 small finely chopped Vidalia onion
2 pounds yellow summer squash (about 2 pounds). sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1. Melt half of the butter in a pan and add onions. Cook until onions are softened.

2. Add the sliced squash and cook until squash is tender. Cover the pan and stir often.

3. After the squash is tender, turn the heat off and let it cool for 5-10 min. Then add the Parmesan, 3/4 cup of the Cheddar, and half of the bread crumbs.

4. Add the lightly beaten eggs, salt and pepper, pour it into a casserole dish.

5. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of Cheddar and the remaining bread crumbs and scatter over the casserole.

6. Bake for 30 min in preheated 375-degree oven, until the top is brown.

Don't fear the casserole!

[Anonymous]

Another good one is this green bean casserole from the Washington Post food section. https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/frenchs-green-bean-casserole-scratch-mushroom-sauce/17226/ It's based on Alton Brown's from-scratch green bean casserole recipe. I never liked green bean casserole until I tried this - using fresh green beans and wild mushrooms and avoiding the canned soup really makes a difference. The French's onions stay, though.

[Anonymous]

I love soup and casseroles. Perfect balance in every bite of veggie, protein, and carb. What's not to love?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't eat one. Canned soup? Blocks of cream cheese? No.

I'd eat baked ziti or something along those lines, but that's the closest thing to a casserole I like. But I'm not from the Midwest. People who like casseroles also think you should pour grape jelly in meatballs and claim that it's good.

[Anonymous]

Someone posted a chicken and rice casserole dish here last year (I think) and it was so tasty. No "cream of" soups or processed toppings in the ingredients. Wish I had held onto it!

[Anonymous]

You dummies know that not all casseroles are made of a combination of processed foods, right? You sound like the trash ones for not knowing what a casserole is, LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You dummies know that not all casseroles are made of a combination of processed foods, right? You sound like the trash ones for not knowing what a casserole is, LOL!

Yeah, I’m confused. It seems like they think a “casserole” is defined by the use of canned soup and/or Velveeta.