Cuisine: Casserole

Hot Brown Turkey Casserole

My Dad grew up in Pittsburgh and one of his favorite things a called The Turkey Devonshire Sandwich, which is a hot open-faced sandwich on toasted bread with hot turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and a cheese sauce. This sandwich was first served at The Stratford Club in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood in 1930.
I decided to make him (actually, I had my husband make it!) a Hot Brown Turkey Casserole. This also originated as a sandwich called the Hot Brown and was invented in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky to absorb the bourbon that guests had the night before. The 2 sandwiches are very similar, though I think the chef in Pittsburgh obviously copied it and changed the name!. Anyway, this is the casserole version, which is much easier to make and feeds a hungry or hungover crowd!

By Leslie Blythe

Ravioli Casserole

This Ravioli Casserole is my "lazy" lasagna. It's a combination of ground beef, cheese, pasta sauce and cheese ravioli. I have also made Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Casserole, which is also quick and easy to make. This is perfect for a family weeknight meal.

By Leslie Blythe

Curried Chicken with Asparagus

My friend Melanie gave me a Hollywood Bowl cookbook from the '80s. It has many great recipes from famous people who attended the Bowl. My parents used to have a box there, which in those days was a pretty big deal. My mother, being a designer, and the most elegantly dressed woman on the planet, used to sew tablecloths and decorate the table differently every time they went. The people sitting in adjacent boxes use to eagerly await her arrival wondering what her theme was that week. I would give anything if someone would have taken photos of all of them, this was the pre-cell phone days!

Anyway, last night I made this Curried Chicken with Asparagus, which was quite popular then. I made several changes and added Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup, though you can throw caution to the wind and peel off the lid of a can! This recipe is ridiculously simple and can be made ahead. I'm not sure this recipe would travel, especially to the Hollywood Bowl given that it needs to be hot!

By Leslie Blythe

Green Chili Egg Casserole

There are so many things to like about this Green Chili Egg Casserole. You can prepare it the day before ready to bake the next day or you can also bake it and freeze it into individual portions. Oh, and did I mention that it's absolutely delicious?!

By Leslie Blythe

Scottish Rumbledethumps

This Scottish Rumbledethumps is game-changing. Rumbledethumps is a traditional dish from the Scottish Borders. The main ingredients are leftover mashed potatoes and cabbage. Similar to Irish colcannon, and English bubble and squeak, it is either served as an accompaniment to a main dish or as a main dish itself.

The beauty of the dish is it can be made the day before and heated up. It can be a side dish alongside a hearty stew, or, if you prefer to eat it on its own, with a fried egg on top.

By Leslie Blythe

Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut and Pasta Bake

This Polish Sausage, Sauerkraut and Pasta Bake had my husband's name all over it. Oddly enough, I had all the ingredients. It's actually quite delicious and I think the next time I make it, I will use diced par-boiled potatoes instead of pasta, but it was good, it's up to you.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Broccoli

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Broccoli is a family-friendly meal. I have to say, it's my new favorite casserole. The combination of chicken, bacon, pasta ranch dressing and cheese is delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

I made this Chicken & Stuffing Casserole for my Dad. It's a bit of a jump start on Thanksgiving. You can use chicken or turkey. I used chicken thighs. It's covered in stuffing and baked until it's golden brown and crunchy on top. There are no cans of condensed soup involved in this recipe. You can make it ahead and put it in the oven later in the day. Usually, you would make something like this to use up leftovers, but I threw caution to the wind and made it now. Oh, and I also made him a pumpkin pie. If only i could wear a sweater and go out for a walk through some piles of fallen leaves!  This is the one thing I truly hate about living in Los Angeles in the autumn, I feel like I've been robbed! That will change in February!

By Leslie Blythe

Pizza Spaghetti

This Pizza Spaghetti is my new favorite casserole. If you have kids, this is a must-try. You can add your favorite toppings to the "noodle crust" to make it your own. The next day I reheated it in a cast-iron skillet for lunch. It's so good, I want to make it again, but I probably should wait at least a week!

By Leslie Blythe

Burrito Pie

Here's another socially distant dinner I made in my Instant Pot on my Dad's porch. You can also make this layered  Burrito Pie in the oven. It's everything in a burrito - meat, refried beans and cheese that are stacked up with tomatoes and baked.

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