3 Easy Give-Away Casseroles

A few weeks ago, we shared our tips for taking in food to people who may need it - the sick, new moms, families who have lost loved ones.  This week, we'd like to share three easy casserole recipes that we've used in just these situations. 

Pasta Bake

This recipe can be altered to fit foodie tastes!

*1/2 lb of Italian sausage (either cooked case sausage sliced or ground sausage)
*1/2 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast (cut in bite sized pieces)
*1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
*1 standard sized jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
*8-12 oz package of frozen spinach
*1/2 a package (2 cups) of grated mozzarella or "pizza" cheese.
*1 lb package of pasta ( I like rotini for this recipe myself)

Saute the sausage and chicken in a nonstick skillet with the seasoning.  When cooked through, set aside.

Add the spaghetti sauce and spinach to the skillet and cook on medium until the spinach is done.  Add the meat into the sauce.

Boil the pasta according to "al dente" package instructions.

Put the pasta in the bottom of the 9x13 or 2 8x8 casserole dishes.

Layer the sauce and meat over the pasta.  Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake on 350 for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and cook 5 minutes more.

If you are more of a whole food kind of cook, you can make your own Italian sausage and pasta sauce and use whole wheat pasta.

Arkansas Beef Casserole

This recipe has the benefit of making two!

*2.5 lbs ground chuck
*4 T butter
*2-4 cloves garlic, minced
*2 small cans (8 oz) tomato sauce
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/2 tsp papper
*1 tsp sugar
*4 chopped green onions (optional!)
*8 oz cream cheese, softened
*16 oz sour cream
*10 oz egg noodles
*2 cans cream of mushroom
*1 cup grated cheddar cheese + some for topping

Brown meat and drain.  Add butter, garlic, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar.  Simmer for 30-40 minutes.

While simmering, in another bowl mix together cream cheese, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese and onions if desired.

Cook egg noodles according to package directions.

In two baking dishes, layer noodles, meat mix, and sour cream mixture.  Top with undiluted cream of mushroom.  

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes (like every casserole ever), sprinkle with more cheese for the last five minutes.

Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is a great one for the kids, as it has no unusual tastes and sneaks in a green vegetable!

*1 lb ground beef
*1 small onion, chopped
*1 small package frozen tater tots
*1 can cream of mushroom soup
*1 - 4 oz can mushrooms, drained
*1 can french style green beans, drained
*1/4 tsp salt
*1/8 tsp pepper

Brown hamburger meat with onion, drain.  Combine meat and onions with soup, mushrooms, green beans, salt, and pepper. Spread in baking dish and top with frozen tater tots.  

Bake at, you guessed it, 350 for 30 minutes until casserole is bubbly and tater tots are browned.

We hope these easy casserole recipes are helpful to you.  In later weeks, we'll begin sharing more recipes like breakfasts for hospitality or desserts for sick kids!