Casseroles
A casserole is easy to make on a budget. After prepping the ingredients, the rest is pretty much hands-off. While the casserole bakes in the oven for about an hour, there is time for other chores. And there are usually leftovers for another meal.
Key points
- Casseroles are built from inexpensive pantry staples
- A single dish can feed four to six people
- Casseroles are perfect for busy evenings
- Like stews and soups, casseroles reheat well and freeze well
Casseroles were designed for practicality and are perfect for busy cooks. Everything goes into one dish and the oven does the rest. For yet more convenience, casseroles can be assembled well in advance and refrigerated until it's time to put them in the oven. As an added bonus, they reheat or freeze well for future meals, and also lend themselves to batch-cooking.
Rice or pasta casseroles are cheap and require almost no preparation. Uncooked rice or pasta are combined with vegetables, stock, and seasoning, then baked until the they have absorbed all the liquid.
When meats are part of a casserole, the cheapest cuts will produce the best results, thanks to a long cooking time in the moist heat of a covered casserole dish. A small amount of meat can flavour an entire casserole.
Ingredients worth keeping on hand:
- Canned white beans: They hold their shape, absorb flavours beautifully, and cost very little per serving
- Canned tomatoes: They are the liquid base of many casseroles
- Dried pasta or rice: Uncooked pasta or rice can be baked directly in a casserole with enough liquid, absorbing all the flavours of the dish as it cooks
- Root vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, and parsnips hold their shape well and add substance and sweetness
- Dried mixed herbs: A teaspoon of dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary adds warmth and depth
- Breadcrumbs: A layer of breadcrumbs on top produces a golden, crispy crust. Although more expensive than breadcrumbs, shredded cheese is also a great topping for casseroles
- Vegetable or chicken stock: Stock provides the moisture needed for long baking and adds a depth of flavour that plain water cannot match
Sources for inspiration:
- Ridiculously Easy Casseroles That Save Time and Money by allrecipes
- Delicious and Healthy Vegetarian Casseroles by Country Living