Recipes
Five Delicious Recipes for Your Casserole Dish
When you’re craving a cosy meal, there’s nothing better than a hot casserole dish. From protein-packed meat dinners to vegetarian casseroles and even a sweet option, discover what to cook in a casserole pot, as well as all the reasons why you should add this handy appliance to your cookware collection:
Why use a casserole dish
A casserole dish is one of those cooking appliances that both home cooks and professional chefs love, but why? Well, it’s hard to choose just one reason. Cooking in a casserole dish:
Helps you save time. One thing you’ll notice with casserole recipes is that the prep time is never too long and the casserole itself does most of the work. Choose a non-stick pot and you’ll cut down cleaning time as well.
Is a versatile cooking method. Thanks to their stainless-steel handles, many casserole dishes are not only compatible with all cooktops (we’re talking gas, induction, ceramic and electric) but can also be used in the oven. In other words, the amount of recipes you can make in a casserole dish is endless.
Is great for meal prepping (and healthy eating). Many casserole recipes can be made in advance and in bigger batches, which you can divide into individual servings to eat throughout the week. This means you can skip the takeout after a busy day at work, and enjoy a healthy meal instead (while also saving some extra dollars).
5 easy casserole recipes
It’s clear that a casserole dish is a great addition to any kitchen but what exactly can you cook in it? Discover our favourite casserole recipes:
1. Pesto chicken casserole
If you’re looking for a casserole recipe that the whole family will love, you need to try this creamy pesto chicken. Tasty, easy to make and starring six affordable ingredients, it’s a great dinner idea for any busy parent and we’re sure it will become a go-to for those nights when you just can’t be bothered.
Prepping the ingredients takes only 15 minutes and three steps: first, you make your cream cheese, pesto and chicken broth mixture, then you stir in the rice and add it all into the casserole dish, and finally you trim the chicken and place it on top of the rice. Pop it in the oven at 190°C and let it bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
To add some freshness to the dish, serve it with a nice salad or roasted vegetables. Leftovers also reheat well so be sure to make a few extra servings to pack for the kids and yourself.
Read the full recipe here.
2. Creamy vegetarian casserole
Have a bunch of random veggies in the fridge but don’t know what to make? Time to grab your casserole dish for a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ type of dinner. A vegetarian casserole is an amazing leftover-vegetable recipe because you can put whatever you have in it and, with the right seasonings and creamy sauce, the final product will always be delicious.
Start by chopping and pan-frying your vegetables. Then, make your creamy sauce using butter, milk and vegetable stock. Add the sauce and vegetables to the casserole dish, top with cheese and breadcrumbs for a crispy touch and bake it in the oven for about 25 minutes at 190°C.
For a vegan casserole recipe, simply swap the butter, milk and cheese for plant-based alternatives.
Read the full recipe here.
3. Cheesy pasta bake
This cheesy pasta is one of the easiest 30-minute casseroles you can make and the best part is that you can keep it simple and stick to cheese and vegetables, or add your own twist to it with additional ingredients like bacon, chicken or extra veggies.
First, preheat the oven to 180°C. Cook the pasta and add cauliflower and broccoli for the last four minutes, just so they soften slightly. Chop the leafy greens into bite-sized pieces and cook until wilted. Add the pasta, vegetables and remaining ingredients, season and give it a good mix before you transfer it to the casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 10 minutes.
Read the full recipe here.
4. Beef curry casserole
When it comes to comfort foods, this beef curry casserole is high on the list. All you need to make it is an oven-safe casserole dish, a good knife and a spatula. As for ingredients, the star of the show is the beef and you can use whatever cut you prefer.
Chop the beef into cubes and coat it with flour, salt and pepper. Cook the cubes in the casserole dish with a tablespoon of oil, flipping them every three minutes. Once all sides are brown, season with curry powder, garlic, ginger and brown sugar until you can smell all the lovely aromas. Add diced tomatoes and stock, bring to a boil and finish by adding the vegetables and final seasonings.
This beef curry is a great recipe to make in a big batch as it freezes and reheats perfectly. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you next time you feel tempted to order Uber Eats.
Read the full recipe here.
5. Cinnamon roll casserole
To end on a sweet note, this cinnamon roll casserole is rich and gooey, and it’s the perfect sugary treat for dessert, brunch or even breakfast.
The ingredients list is full of pantry staples like butter, eggs and milk, which makes this an affordable recipe to make, and the prepping time takes only 20 minutes, so there’s no excuse not to give it a go.
Line your casserole dish with aluminium foil and add a light coat of cooking spray before you make your cinnamon and sugar mixture. Coat your tube cinnamon rolls or biscuits with the mixture, place them in the casserole dish and coat them with eggs and vanilla. Make the frosting and drizzle half over the rolls. Let it bake for about four hours and finish off by drizzling on the rest of the frosting.
Read the full recipe here.
