Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Do You Like Casseroles?

Although my husband does love a good hearty meat and potatoes meal put down in front of him, he also likes casseroles. I think he and I both grew up eating casserole dishes because our moms knew it was a good way to feed a family economically. Sometimes there wasn't a lot of meat in the casserole but other good ingredients compensated for that.

This recipe I'm posting today would be just fine with half the amount of meat in it. Really. At least, it would be for me, but hubby would just as soon I use the whole pound of ground beef . . . 'cause a hard-workin' fella needs his protein, ya know. (Ya sure, you betcha.)

Whichever way you prefer it, not so much meat or chock full of meat, I think you might like this casserole. Any leftovers are great heated up the next day, too.

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CHEESEBURGER CASSEROLE

8 slices (approximately) bread
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Good dash black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Paprika

Toast slices of bread and spread with butter. Cut to fit into the bottom of a greased 9" square baking dish.

Mix ground beef, onion, celery, prepared mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in skillet and cook until meat is slightly browned.

Sprinkle the toast in the baking dish with approximately 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Then add half of the meat mixture. Place another layer of buttered toast over the meat, add another 1/2 cup of grated cheese and the last of the meat mixture. End by adding the last 1/2 cup of grated cheese as a top layer.

In a small bowl, mix the egg, milk, dry mustard, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour over the layers in the pan. Sprinkle some paprika over the top.

Bake uncovered in a 350 oven for 30-35 minutes.

NOTES: Because I'm a mustard lover, I usually use more prepared mustard than the 1 tablespoon in the recipe. I've never had anybody complain and I think it gives the casserole more of a "cheeseburger" flavor. You might want to adjust the amount according to your personal taste.

I've made this casserole over the years with all kinds of bread. (It's a great way to use up slightly stale bread.) This past weekend I made it with rye bread and it was yummy. Actually, you couldn't taste the rye flavor at all.

I've also used other yellow cheeses when I didn't have any sharp cheddar.

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If you get a chance to try it, I hope this casserole proves to be a good one for you and your family. A cold beer (if you indulge in that sort of thing), a green salad and a chunk of Cheeseburger Casserole . . . not a bad meal!

P.S. I just put up a new post on my quilting blog. Nothing to eat, but something to look at!

13 comments:

judy said...

THAT LOOKS LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE TOMORROW NIGHT,THINK I CAN SPLIT A LB. OF HAMBURGER BETWEEN 8?DID YOU SEE THE BIG DEAL CUB IS MAKING TRYING TO HIDE THE BAD MEDIA THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE OF MN STORES THAT WAS USING PINK SLIME BUT IF YOU GO TO FACEBOOK "CUB" THEIR EXPLANATION DOES " NOT " SAY THY WILL BE "NOT" BE USING IT-BOY THEY ARE TRYING TO BE SLY

Leigh said...

I will definitely try this. I grew up eating casseroles, but Dan never cared for either them or soup. He's changing though, and we both agree casseroles (and stews and soup) would be an easier way to cook (i.e. less dishes, LOL) utilizing more homegrown veggies and sparing the meat.

Mama Pea said...

judy - I have a girlfriend who grew up in a family of six kids and mom and dad. She tells of her mom always making eight burgers out of a pound of ground beef! So you should be able to stretch this casserole to feed eight!

I don't do (regular) Facebook and I haven't heard of the Cub Food "pink slime" but I'm afraid to imagine what that's all about! :o(

Leigh - I'm always surprised when I hear of so many men who don't like casseroles or soups. How hard a hubby like that would be for me to cook for! We eat a lot of soups which I consider to be a very good way of getting a balanced meal into our tummies. I, too, usually use meat more for flavoring rather than the "entree."

dr momi said...

This would be right up my guys ally :-) Looks yum.

Cat Eye Cottage said...

I am a huge casserole and soup fan. They do make a portion of meat stretch and they are generally one dish meals meaning less dishes to wash. Plus, my hubbie is as skinny as a beanpole, yet eats like a horse. So even though there are two of us, it seems like I always have to cook for eight! However, I would have to draw a line at 8 burgers from one pound of meat.

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe:)

Amy Dingmann said...

Oh yum!!! We love casseroles here, and the adults here all ate them growing up because (like you said)they are so economical. :)I'm a mustard lover too, so I would add extra!

Mama Pea said...

dr momi - It does seem like a guy kinda casserole, doesn't it?

The Weekend Homesteader - Yup, there's nothing like a meal without a bunch of pots and pans to wash up afterwards! Regarding that pound of ground beef feeding eight people . . . I can only hope they had lots of potatoes and veggies with it!!

Stephanie - You're very welcome!

Mama Tea - With a big salad, I think this casserole would feed all around your table. 'Course, when the boys hit their teen years, you would definitely have to double the recipe!

Carolyn said...

Guess what WE'RE having for supper tonight! Thanks for the idea!

Susan said...

Oh, HECK no, I abhor casseroles. Save me a piece - I'll be right over. Hmmm. I wonder if I could make it with GF bread, or if the bread would dissolve into a semi-solid layer of slime. Can you tell I'm a fan of GF bread?

Erin said...

I think I'm making this tonight! I have hamburger thawed out already. I will probably have to throw some egg noodles in there though - I'm bad like that LOL they go in every casserole I make it seems. I know Papa Pea doesn't like pasta though so you better not try my tactics haha!

Erin said...

I just saw Susan's comments and had to laugh! Yep, anyone who is serious about not liking casseroles is clearly off their rocker!

Mama Pea said...

CR and Erin - Sure hope it worked out for you and all the hungry Hermans around your tables!

Oh, poor dear Susan! That gluten-free diet is for the birds, isn't it?

Papa Pea doesn't complain much when I put pasta in a casserole. Matter of fact, one of his favorite stove top skillet dishes has egg noodles in it. (I never bring this to his attention however.)