Cuisine: Casserole

Lighthouse Inn Potatoes

Lighthouse Inn Potatoes originated at an iconic hotel and restaurant located in New London, Connecticut, which closed in 2008. Executive Chef Leon “Wally” Walden, who worked there for nearly 50 years, created Lighthouse Inn Potatoes. It is similar to scalloped potatoes, but instead of sliced potatoes he used chunks of potatoes that are cooked in light cream and butter and a bit of baking soda, which neutralizes the potatoes’ tannins and create a velvety sauce. The potatoes are topped with buttery parmesan panko breadcrumbs and baked until the bubbling and golden brown.

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Creamy Lemon-Parmesan Chicken Casserole

This Creamy Lemon-Parmesan Chicken Casserole is delicious and kind of a more elegant version of what my family calls Nancy Drew Casserole (officially called Hannah Gruen's Chicken and Rice Casserole), which is basically shredded chicken, mushroom soup, uncooked rice and water. Anyway, back to this much more flavorful version, which uses shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken), broccoli, and orzo, which is enveloped in a creamy lemony sauce and topped with toasted panko.

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Tex-Mex Style Lasagna

I made this Tex-Mex Style Lasagna which is a great option if you're short on time and low on energy. It’s so easy to throw this together for a busy weeknight meal. It’s taco style ground beef, with corn, black beans layered with tortillas and cheese. It was a big hit with my family.

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Tater Tot XLNT Chili Casserole

My late mother-in-law always served albondigas soup and tamales on Christmas Eve, which we do every year. She always served an XLNT chili brick for a topping. I never really thought about using it any other way, until we read the inside of the packet. It's basically a base to make your own chili, by adding peppers, beans, etc. I decided to try this Tater Tot XLNT Chili Casserole (actually my husband Eric made it!).

Starting out as a push cart on the side of Southern California roads, XLNT became a popular lunch time meal for some of California’s earliest residents. It was Californians’ love for the recipe that allowed XLNT to be one of the first tamales to be distributed and sold directly to grocery stores.

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Sweet Potato and Sage Tian

This Sweet Potato and Sage Tian is made with thinly sliced sweet potatoes, sage leaves, garlic, and cream. The ingredients are layered in a baking dish and then baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and the cream is thickened. This is a dish that is deeply rooted in Provençal cuisine. It is often served during fall and winter when sweet potatoes are in season. The tian is a symbol of Provençal hospitality and is often served at family gatherings and special occasions.

By Leslie Blythe

One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

I recently made this Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole. It was insanely good, so I made another version of it. One-Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole is a cross between French onion soup and a classic midwest style tater tot casserole. It is made with caramelized onions, ground beef, bell peppers, garlic, and topped with a layer of Gruyère cheese, tater tots and baked in the oven until the tater tots are golden brown and then get an extra layer of cheddar cheese.

By Leslie Blythe

Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole

This family-friendly Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole is a hearty and delicious casserole dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck. It is made with ground beef, corn, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese, and it is topped with a layer of crispy tater tots. The casserole is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. For example, you can add other vegetables, such as black beans, spinach, or onions, to the beef mixture. You can also use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Colby.

By Leslie Blythe

Monterey Spaghetti

Monterey Spaghetti has a creamy sauce made with sour cream and Parmesan cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, chicken, spinach, and crispy fried onions. It is thought to have originated in the Monterey Bay area of California, and is named after the Monterey Jack cheese that is a key ingredient.

By Leslie Blythe

Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole with Caramel-Hazelnut Topping

While on the east coast, one of my best friends Jessica and her husband Marc just happened to be visiting her mom for the weekend, who lives not far from me, and invited me to brunch. She made this fantastic Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole with Caramel-Hazelnut Topping. It is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast dish that can be prepared ahead of time. It is made with day-old bread, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. The bread is soaked in the egg mixture overnight, which makes it soft and custardy. The casserole is then baked until golden brown and topped with a caramel-hazelnut topping. You can use pecans or walnuts if you prefer.
This recipe is perfect for busy mornings or when you want to make a special breakfast for guests. It can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, simply remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, bake according to the instructions.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin

Who doesn't love a cheesy potato gratin? This Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin has creamy, layered potatoes that are baked to become crispy browned on top. It's a recipe where Hasselback potatoes meet gratin. The potatoes are thinly sliced and put in the casserole dish vertically, which creates way more crispy edges.

By Leslie Blythe