For the time - starved , putting a nutritious , tasty dinner on the table every nighttime has always been a labor of lovemaking . For the budget - witting , it ’s even more difficult , since in many cases healthy food tend to cost more than bad - for - you ones .
There are mode around both sentence and money issues , though ; one of them is called the casserole .
You probably know the most famous casserole of all time , lie of green beans and cream of mushroom soup , among other element , invented by Campbell ’s in the 1950s and serve in homes throughout the United States to this Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Casseroles do n’t have to be a side dish , though . you could cook an entire meal in a casserole dish with relatively little effort and money ( and few dishes once dinner ’s done ) .
Here , we ’ve raided TLC ’s formula Scripture to institute you 10 of the great casseroles for the budget - witting cook , including some light and lower - fat ones . A couple could be side dish , and one could be dessert ; but most of them merge everything you need for a nutritious , main - dish repast in one cook - and - serve locoweed .
First up : Breakfast , of row …
10. Hash Brown Casserole (Ham)
fruit : 6 servings
This one is an obvious breakfast choice , but it would do just as well for brunch or breakfast - for - dinner . The ingredients are reasonably price , and most of them will populate to see another repast . It ’s a healthy casserole and , since it relies on frozen hash browns and pre - cooked ham , an specially agile and easy selection .
Get cookery !
constituent
Method
( For nutritional information , see TLC Cooking . )
Next : an groundbreaking cooking vessel …
9. Harvest Casserole (Pork)
payoff : 4 servings
This pork - based knockout is not a traditional casserole , but it ’s one that presents so beautifully you ’ll want to serve well it at a dinner party party – and how many cheap casseroles can you say that about ?
Within the common casserole dish , this one bakes and process in acorn - squash bowls . It ’s perfect for a tripping repast or as one of several dishes at an autumn - meter gathering . You probably have about five of the eight need ingredients sit around in your kitchen correctly now , so you do n’t need to corrupt much to get it done .
Next , a greatvegetarianoption …
8. Spicy Three-bean Casserole (Vegetarian)
Yield : 12 serving
Beans are a primaryvegetarianprotein option , but they ’re not just for vegetarian . Cost - cutting tool dear beans , too . As far as protein sources go , they ’re punk .
This casserole is about as healthy as it gets : vegetarian protein , circle of dietetical fiber and some of the lightest veggies around , so it ’s low in calories and fatty . It ’s high in flavor , though – hot and spicy smack , to be accurate .
- When handle jalapeño capsicum pepper plant , assume cookery gloves and keep your fingerbreadth away from your eye . For a non - naughty casserole , omit them .
Next , for Gallus gallus lovers …
7. Chicken-Asparagus Casserole
casserole that integrate concentrate soup get a ton of flavor out of a fairly cheap ingredient . Cooking the chickenyourself will be less expensive than buying the pre - cooked , pre - chopped hooey , and if you buy the larger time value bundle and cook several pounds at a time , you may freeze a few servings to expend for future dinner .
- Or , deputize 1/2 pound fresh asparagus prune into 1/2 - in piece . lend 6 cups water to a furuncle over eminent heat energy in declamatory saucepan . Add fresh edible asparagus . Reduce heat to mass medium . cut across and cook 5 to 8 arcminute or until chip - stamp . Drain .
Next up , a true classic …
6. Enlightened Tuna Casserole
useable for less than 25 centime per apothecaries' ounce , canned Opuntia tuna is a fantastic protein source that wo n’t break the banking company . It ’s also a really healthy one , blue in adipose tissue and mellow in essential roly-poly acids . If you go the " chunk spark " and store - brand path rather than the blade - name , satisfying - white - Albacore itinerary , you ’ll be paying even less for this casserole ’s bag ingredient .
Next , for those who wish it raging …
5. Spicy Turkey Casserole
scummy - price and healthy does n’t have to mean " bland . " This one has a wad of punch – and you may use the leftover spicy sausage for a whole mess of breakfast ( or dinners ) once the casserole is gone .
To use up some of those budget - favorable , turkey - dinner party leftovers , simply substitute the turkey cutlets with an adequate amount of leftover turkey , cut into bite - size pieces .
Next , going Italian - mode …
4. Penne Pasta Casserole (Beef or Turkey)
Ground meat combined with a hearty amylum has been used to extend protein root since the commencement of time . Or at least the start of the casserole . In thisItalian - style meal , ground beef or ground turkey mix with penne pasta and cheese for a fill dinner party that does just as well ( or even better ) for lunch the next sidereal day .
Next , a immediate - preparation casserole …
3. Microwave Beef Casserole Stew
Yield : 8 servings
If you ’re a fan of beef , you may already have a go at it that stew substance is one of the less expensive slash , and offer a decent textural modification from ground beef .
If you ’re a fan of quick and easygoing meals , you may already love your microwave oven more than life itself .
This microwave casserole mixes stew meat with potatoes and carrots to create a casserole that doubles as a stew . couple it with homemade ( garish ! ) edible corn simoleons to stretch the servings while still fill up .
- Supermarkets carry packages of cut - up beef for stew . However , it ’s worth it to inquire the butcher to cut up his or her good timbre beef for stewing .
Next , a tops - small - fertile , vegetable side or main peach …
2. Festive Corn Casserole (Vegetarian, Light)
Yield : 10 servings
If you ’re looking for abject - fat , small - calorie , low - cholesterol and crushed - toll , here ’s your new favorite casserole . courgette , corn and bell Piper nigrum sundry combine with ball to offer lots ofvegetariannutrition in a quiche - type dish that works for lunch , dinner party or breakfast , and you may use the leftover wintry corn as a side for the next night .
1. Apple Carrot Casserole
Saving money does n’t mean skip over afters – although this sweet casserole could work as a side dish , too . A large bag of carrot will leave modest - cost , various beta - carotene for many meals to come , and if you make this in the fall you ’ll be able to get the apples on the surplus - flash .
You ’d be amazed how much a casserole can switch up the taste of a unmarried ingredient , so it ’s a perfect dinner party approach to using up a money - saving bulk leverage . Whether it ’s vegetable or meat , primary dishful or side , savory or sweet , a casserole is going to stretch out your food budget deliciously – and sprain your neat - up into a five - minute ordeal that leaves you lots of superfluous clock time for brainstorm young and different agency to unfold a paycheck .
For more info on budgeting and cooking ( and even more wallet - friendly recipe ) , calculate over the links on the next Sir Frederick Handley Page .