MAKE
YOUR OWN CASSEROLE
General Directions:
Select food(s) from each category or use your own
favorites. Combine in a buttered 2- to 2 1/2- quart
casserole dish. Cover and bake at 350 F for about
50 minutes to 1 hour or microwave using 50% power
for about 15 to 30 minutes, rotating or stirring as
necessary. Heat until steaming hot (165 F) throughout.
Starch -
select ONE:
* 2 cups uncooked pasta (macaroni, penne, spiral,
bow tie),
* 1 cup uncooked long-grain white or brown rice,
* 4 cups uncooked noodles,
Protein
- select ONE:
* 2 cups cooked ground beef
* 2 cups cooked and diced chicken, turkey, ham,
beef, or pork
* 2 cups chopped hard-cooked egg
* 2 (6 to 8-oz.) cans fish or seafood, flaked
* 2 cups cooked or canned dry beans (kidney, etc.)
Vegetable
- select ONE:
* 1 (10-oz.) pkg. thawed and drained frozen spinach,
broccoli, green beans, green peas
* 1 (16-oz.) can green beans, peas, carrots, corn,
drained
* 2 cups sliced fresh zucchini
Sauce -
select ONE:
* 2 cups white sauce or 1 can sauce-type soup (mushroom,
celery, cheese, tomato, etc.) mixed with milk to
make 2 cups
* 1 (16-oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
Flavor - select ONE or MORE:
* 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/4 cup chopped onion,
1/4 cup sliced black olives
* 1 - 2 teaspoons mixed dried leaf herbs (basil,
thyme, marjoram, tarragon)
* Salt and pepper to taste
Topping-
select ONE or MORE:
If desired after heating, place on top:
* 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 cup shredded Swiss, Cheddar, or Monterey Jack
cheese
* 1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup canned fried onion rings
Return casserole
with topping(s), uncovered, to oven for about 10 minutes
or to microwave for about 2 minutes. 
