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What are Some Different Kinds of Casseroles?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

A casserole is a large dish or pan that can be used to bake and serve food. Though the word "casserole" technically refers to the dish in which food is cooked, it has been used to refer to the food cooked in the dish since the middle of the 20th century.

Casseroles typically include vegetables and rice or pasta cooked together in a sauce or another type of liquid; they are usually thicker in consistency and must be eaten with a fork. Sometimes casseroles include meat. There are many different kinds of casseroles, and they can be served as main or side dishes.

Peas are a common ingredient in casseroles since they hold their shape.
Peas are a common ingredient in casseroles since they hold their shape.

One of the most popular kinds of casseroles is the green bean casserole. This casserole is made with green beans and onions mixed with cream of mushroom soup. Typically, the onions in this dish are French-fried. This dish is particularly popular in the United States and is frequently made for potluck dinners. It is interesting to note that though the green bean casserole is well known throughout the United States, it is not usually mentioned in recipe books from other countries.

Parmesan cheese is used in many casserole dishes.
Parmesan cheese is used in many casserole dishes.

Baked ziti is also among the most popular kinds of casseroles. This dish consists of ground beef, onions, garlic, red sauce, and ziti pasta that has been cooked and drained. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are usually mixed in and may be used to top the casserole as well. Though most baked ziti dishes contain these ingredients, the dish can be changed, adding or taking away ingredients to make a dish that suits the tastes of the preparer.

Canned tuna can be used to make a quick tuna casserole.
Canned tuna can be used to make a quick tuna casserole.

Tuna casserole also has a place among the most popular kinds of casseroles. Tuna casserole usually consists of canned tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, breadcrumbs, and pasta. Egg noodles are commonly used in tuna casserole, but elbow macaroni is nearly as popular for use in this dish. However, just about any type of pasta will go well in a tuna casserole. Some people choose to add cheese to tuna casserole, and others decide to omit the use of vegetables.

Breadcrumbs are used to top a variety of casseroles.
Breadcrumbs are used to top a variety of casseroles.

Shepherd's pie also makes many lists of the most popular kinds of casseroles. This dish consists of ground meat, mashed potatoes, and sometimes cheese. To make this dish, layer the bottom of the pan with ground meat and top it with mashed potatoes and, when desired, cheese. Beef is often used in shepherd's pie, though it is traditionally made with lamb. The ground meat is typically simmered in some type of stock or tomato purée, and some people use wine.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

dega2010

One of my favorite casseroles is kind of like hamburger casseroles but not quite. My mom used to call it Hamburger Special. It is made with hamburger meat, cabbage, and whole kernel corn.

You take the cabbage and put it in a large boiler with a small amount of water and let the water cook down some. When the cabbage starts shrinking, you can drain the water and add the cooked hamburger meat. Then add a whole can (with the juice) of corn to it. Mix it all up well and let it cook for about another 20 minutes. It is great for us folks who are casserole crazy!

BoatHugger

@cmsmith10: This recipe is for cheesy cauliflower casserole. It's one of my favorites. You will need a 1 qt. Glass casserole dish and a 2 cup glass measuring cup.

The ingredients are: 1 lb. Cauliflower (cut into florets), 2 Tbsp. Butter, 2 Tbsp. Flour, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup milk, and ½ cup grated Swiss cheese.

Place the cauliflower in the glass casserole. Cover it and cook on high in microwave for 7 minutes or until it is tender. Then set aside..

In the measuring cup, cook the butter in the microwave for about 1 ½ minutes. Then, stir in the flour, milk, cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes or until thick. Stir once during cooking. Pour sauce over the cooked cauliflower. Serve hot.

CarrotIsland

@cmsmith10: I feel pretty sure that this might not be the one that you are looking for because this one has broccoli in it as well. You may could make it without broccoli. Here are the ingredients: 1 lg. Bunch broccoli, 1 head cauliflower, 1 onion (chopped fine), 1 ½ cup cold water, ¾ cup uncooked rice, 1 16 oz. Jar Cheez Whiz, 1 can water chestnuts (drained), and 1 can cream of celery soup.

Wash and steam the cauliflower and broccoli until they are slightly crunchy. When it is cool, chop them into bite-sized pieces. Cook the rice in the 1 ½ cups of cold water. Add the chopped onions to the rice as it is cooking.

Place the cauliflower-broccoli mixture and rice mixture in a large casserole dish. Add the water chestnuts, cheez whiz, and soup; mix well with the other ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

I usually make it a day ahead. This recipe will serve 10-12 servings.

cmsmith10

Several years ago I was at a church function and tried some cauliflower casserole. It was absolutely delicious but I cannot find a recipe for it. I know it had cheese in it and it was really good. Has anyone ever heard of it and if so, does anyone have a recipe? Thanks in advance.

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    • Peas are a common ingredient in casseroles since they hold their shape.
      By: sevenk
      Peas are a common ingredient in casseroles since they hold their shape.
    • Parmesan cheese is used in many casserole dishes.
      By: Marco Mayer
      Parmesan cheese is used in many casserole dishes.
    • Canned tuna can be used to make a quick tuna casserole.
      By: ivobalderi
      Canned tuna can be used to make a quick tuna casserole.
    • Breadcrumbs are used to top a variety of casseroles.
      By: Vidady
      Breadcrumbs are used to top a variety of casseroles.
    • Shepherd's pie is a popular casserole.
      By: robynmac
      Shepherd's pie is a popular casserole.
    • Vegetables may be served as a casserole dish.
      By: Lulu Durand
      Vegetables may be served as a casserole dish.
    • Baked fish and spinach casserole topped with mornay sauce.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Baked fish and spinach casserole topped with mornay sauce.
    • Pasta shells stuffed with cheese, vegetables and ground beef is a popular casserole dish.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Pasta shells stuffed with cheese, vegetables and ground beef is a popular casserole dish.
    • Hash brown casserole is a type of breakfast casserole.
      By: Froggy
      Hash brown casserole is a type of breakfast casserole.
    • Zucchini casseroles are a common vegetable casserole dish.
      By: mrslevite
      Zucchini casseroles are a common vegetable casserole dish.
    • A ham and cheesy potato casserole is a popular variety of pork casserole.
      By: Bronwyn Photo
      A ham and cheesy potato casserole is a popular variety of pork casserole.