3 Hearty Casserole Recipes

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Filling, versatile and as healthy as like; casseroles are an all-time favourite. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, a casserole can be a great time-saver in the kitchen. If you’re looking to put a new spin on a classic dish, take a look at these 3 hearty casserole recipes and try them out for yourself…

1. Chicken casserole with dumplings

For this recipe, preheat your oven to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) and coat chicken pieces in flour with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Heat some oil in a pan and brown the chicken on all sizes. Once removed, at a selection of veg to the pot. Carrots, onions and parsnips all work well. Cook gently for around 10 mins, then add the chicken pieces. Add half a pint of water, some tomato paste and a stock cube, with a splash of red wine if you choose. Bring to the boil and then transfer to the oven for around 30 mins.

For the dumplings, simply rub 5 ounces of butter into 9 ounces of flour and add some salt and pepper. Stir in a quarter pint of water to make a dough and section into ping pong sized balls. Place the dumplings on top of the casserole for around 20 more minutes and get ready to dig in!

2. Spaghetti Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and boil a pan of water. Cook the spaghetti for around 8-10 minutes and set it aside to drain. Brown some ground beef and onion on the cooker, then add some spaghetti sauce (homemade or store-bought!), along with sour cream and mozzarella. Mix in the pasta and then transfer to a dish and add a cup of mozzarella and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Bake for around 30 mins or until cooked through. 

There are numerous variations on this dish, so it’s easy to make it your own. Once you know how to make chicken spaghetti or how to mix things up with turkey, you’ll never look back. Remember – you can add as many veggies as you like too!

3. Vegetarian Casserole

If you follow a vegetarian diet or you want to incorporate more meat-free meals into your repertoire, this one’s for you. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and add a finely chopped onion; cook for around 5-10 minutes, until it’s soft. You can season the dish according to your own tastes but the following works well:

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 slices of celery, sliced
• Red pepper, chopped
• Yellow pepper, chopped

Add to the pan and cook for around 5 mins. Then add 400g canned tomatoes and half a pint of stock and cook for 20-25 minutes. Serve with wild rice, mashed potatoes or quinoa for a sumptuous meal. 

Cooking the Perfect Casserole

A casserole is a great dish for a last-minute dinner or a special celebration. One of the most flexible recipes out there, you can enhance it to match your tastes and feature your favourite ingredients, so be creative!