History of the Casserole
Baked dishes have existed for thousands of years. Early casserole recipes consisted of rice that was pounded, pressed, and filled with a savory mixture of meats such as chicken or sweetbread. Sometime around the 1870s, the casserole seems to have taken on its current definition. Cooking in earthenware containers has always been common in most cultures, but the idea of casserole cooking as a one-dish meal became popular in the United States in the twentieth century, especially in the 1950s when new forms of lightweight metal and glass cookware appeared on the market. By the 1970s casseroles took on a less-than-sophisticated image. Culinary experts, such as John F. Mariani, attribute this to the beginning of the dark ages of American culinary culture.(Wikipedia)
American-Style Casserole
In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, potato, rice or pasta); sometimes, there is also a crunchy or cheesy topping. Liquids are released from the meat and vegetables during cooking, and further liquid in the form of stock, wine, beer, gin, cider, vegetable juice, or even water may be added when the dish is assembled. Casseroles are usually cooked slowly in the oven, often uncovered. They may be served as a main course or side dish, and, conveniently, may be served in the vessel in which they were cooked.
Ingredients
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup milk
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups egg noodles, cooked and drained
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
To make this Chicken And Noodle Casserole, start by stirring the soup, milk, pepper, parmesan cheese, vegetables, chicken, and noodles in a 1 and 1/2 quart baking dish until well blended. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, or until hot. Stir again. Top with cheddar cheese. Enjoy!
Optional
1- You can replace cheddar cheese with dried fried onions
2- You can use 2 cups cooked corkscrew pasta instead of egg noodles
