Two Fer??? Sounds a little bit country to me but I am going to do a bit of rockin’ and rollin’ and killing two birds with one stone or something like that. OK, enough of the metaphors. Sorry, I tend to get carried away sometimes. Actually what I am giving you today are two really easy casserole dishes that can be ready and in the oven while you set the table.
I decided to make these casseroles out of necessity….the necessity to clean out and re-arrange the freezer! I noticed that I had several freezer bags of meat that had dates that were fast expiring and what is the use of freezing left overs if you don’t ever use them?
Seems like a bit of wasted effort to me, so I jumped to the challenge. Well, I really didn’t jump, haven’t jumped for a long time and not even sure I can jump and even if I could jump…it probably wouldn’t be pretty or end very well. 🙂
Back to my freezer. I found ham and a large piece of round steak. I also saw that I had tater tots, a small package of carrots and a package of broccoli. Soups???? Ham and Beans? Vegetable Beef Soup? Yes, those were my first thoughts… but then I thought casseroles! Two to be exact! One would be for our dinner and the other would be for a dear friend who recently had surgery. Perfect and perfectly easy.
The ingredients are already in your pantry I am sure and nothin’ says lovin’ from the oven than the wonderful smells and aromas of a baking casserole dish. Yummy!
Below are the handy dandy printable recipes but they are so easy and versatile that I am sure you can (and have) made them for yourself.
Do you have a preference my dear readers? Do you prefer soups or casseroles for the “left overs” freezer clean out?
Have a great and blessed day!
Hugs always!
- 1 pound of diced ham, about two cups
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, diced
- 8 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (10 ounce)
- 1 pound broccoli florets (I used frozen)
- 8 ounces Velveeta, sliced
- few drops of Louisiana Hot sauce (Optional)
- 32 ounce bag of tater tots or the little "half tots"
- salt and pepper to taste
- Spray the large casserole dish with cooking spray and begin to layer the ingredients with the ham first, then the onions, garlic and mushrooms.
- Pour the two cans of soup over the mushrooms
- Sprinkle the hot sauce over the mixture
- Add a bit of salt and pepper
- Next, add the broccoli, placing the slices of Velveeta cheese over the top
- Lastly, add the tater tots
- Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for about 1 hour
- The wonderful thing about this casserole other than the great taste is that you can vary the ingredients to whatever you have on hand. You can use chicken, or ground beef. You can also top with mashed potatoes...scalloped potatoes, rice or pasta in place of the tater tots. The soups can be cream of chicken or celery or even cheddar soup. OR...you can make your own thickener with chicken or beef broth and cornstarch or flour. Endless Possibilities!
- 1 1/2 pounds round steak, cut in chunks
- House Seasoning, recipe follows
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup of beef broth
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup of diced cooked carrots (optional)
- Cooked egg noodles, mashed potatoes, rice (your choice)
- Season the steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder and then dust the chunks of meat with flour Preheat a large dutch oven with the olive oil and butter....do not let it smoke, but oil should be hot. Place the meat in the skillet and brown on all sides....only take a few minutes
- Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for just a few minutes
- Add the mushroom soup and beef broth, cover with a lid.
- Place in a 350 degree oven for about 30-40 minutes
- Remove and adjust the seasonings to taste. Stir in the cooked carrots if using and mix in the sour cream.
- Serve over your choice of cooked noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.
- When I need a small amount of cooked carrots or peas or corn...such as for soups. If I do not have any left overs I use the individual cartons found at the supermarket. Yes, they are a bit more expensive...but there is nothing left to waste.
Ross says
Hi Kari,
I think it was very brave of you to venture where none of us dare… into the bottom of the freezer or to the back of the fridge…
It is so easy to waste food when we don’t know it is there. I’m just so bad with the “use by dates” on my cans. Part of me thinks it doesn’t matter as canned food should last indefinitely… shouldn’t it?
It was lovely to read that you provided a lovely meal to your dear friend.
Warmest hugs from across the pond.. xx
Kari says
Only daughter stresses the dates on anything! When she worked for the supermarket chain, it became a habit to watch dates. So she is a stickler for that. I do think the dates on many canned items are really about should be used by for absolute freshness, but just how fresh can it be out of a can? Still, I toss if the date is too far out there.
thanks my friend for stopping by….
Hugs