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Frugal Living, Thrift, and Saving Money
Frugal Casserole Tips
Browning
If an ingredient on top of the casserole needs to be
browned, you will have to remove the lid at the end of the cooking time.
Cooking Time
Most casseroles are cooked at 350 degrees for about 45
minutes. The ingredients need to all be warm, and if there is cheese on
the top, it needs to be bubbling.
Dishes
To keep your casseroles from drying out, cover them when
baking with a lid or aluminum foil. Adding an ingredient like cheese on
top also helps.
Dish Size
Don't try and cook a casserole in too small a dish.
You will dry out the top trying to heat the inside.
Flavor
Casserole are a great "make ahead" dish. Letting
the casserole sit after mixing the ingredients will help the flavor.
Freezing
Casserole generally freeze well, but are best when used
within 2 months.
Garnish
Casseroles will look more appetizing if they are garnished.
You can do this easily by just adding a little color with a spice like paprika,
or you can slice up vegetables like olives and green peppers and lay them on
top.
Here are some suggestions to garnish casseroles:
Olives
Paprika
Parsley
Shredded lettuce (added after cooking)
Sliced green onions (tops and bottoms)
Sliced green peppers
Sliced hard boiled eggs
Sliced tomatoes
Soups
All "cream of" soups can be substituted for each other.
This includes cream of mushroom, cream of celery, and cream of chicken.
Toppers
All casseroles taste better with casserole toppers.
Here are some suggestions for casserole toppers:
Buttered bread crumbs
Chopped nuts
Crumbled bacon
Crushed crackers
Crushed potato chips
Shredded Cheese
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