History of the Casserole

Hi all...Suzi here to teach you a little about the casserole.

The word casserole originates from the French regarding the type of dish used to make one-dish meals. It is the saucepan or deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel.

According to Wikipedia the casserole, as we know it, is a relatively modern invention. The "original" casserole made it's appearance in the early 18th Century, but used rice that was pounded, pressed, and filled with meats or sweet breads. Casserole cooking as a one-dish meal became popular in the United States in the 20th century, especially in the 1950's. In the 1950's it became easier to do one-dish meals because the pans used for casseroles were being produced with lighter weight glass and metal.

Speaking of casseroles, I have a recipe for you. It is a favorite of my husbands, one he grew up with that I had to get from his mom. It is called Picnic Casserole, it's a little different, but sure is good.

Picnic Casserole

Ingredients:

1lb ground meat (I use beef or turkey, sometimes I use 1/2 of each)
1 onion
3-4 cloves garlic
1 can tomato soup
1 can tomato sauce
1 can creamed corn
1 can slice olives
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbs. Worstershire Sauce
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tub Kaukauna sharp cheddar cheese spread
1/2 bag extra wide egg noodles (I use the whole wheat ones, my hubby can't tell when they are in a casserole)

Saute the onions and garlic to softness. Add the ground meat and cook thoroughly. While cooking the meat boil the noodles according to the package. Drain the meat. After draining the meat add the tomato sauce, soup, creamed corn, olives, cheese spread, Worstershire Sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. When noodles are done, strain and add to the casserole dish. Make sure the cheese spread is melted with in the casserole before putting into the oven. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour.

This pairs well with homemade garlic bread and some broccoli or a salad.

This type of casserole would look great in a beautiful Le Creuset casserole dish. In fact we are having a giveaway for one of those dishes right now. The giveaway will be going on for one more week. Make sure to enter said giveaway in the comment section of THIS post.

Happy casserole making and good luck with the giveaway. Have a great week!