Remember variables and formulas back in Algebra? A recipe is very much a formula…it just happens that all the variables are given. What if I told you there was a “formula” for making casseroles and you could make any kind of casserole you wanted?
There is! Amy Dacyczyn (author of THE TIGHTWAD GAZETTE newsletter that was compiled into books) first mentioned it in 1992 in her second book, but then gave the actual “universal” casserole recipe in book three. She credits Maria Kleinberg from Michigan with this bit of genius (shout out to Maria!).
Making a casserole from a formula
The formula…X+Y+Z+A = an unbelievably good casserole
The variables…
X – meat
Y – other things like veggies or starch
Z – a binder – something that “binds” X and Y together
A – a goodie (optional)…something a little special that goes on top like cheese, breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, chopped nuts, crushed potato chips (though a lot of these options are not compliant with the Whole30)
Think you can’t have a casserole on the Whole30? Think again!
The hard part is a compliant binder. But realfoodrds.com has one right here! Once I had this, there was no stopping me. (There may be other options, too, this is just the one I found for this particular test case. I did add a little more nutritional yeast than it called for plus both teaspoons of minced garlic since we love it.)
I added leftover shredded chicken, some cooked carrots, and cooked broccoli. Using just one batch of the compliant sauce, I added the other variables until it looked right (sort of balanced between the ingredients), stirred it up and baked it at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes (until bubbly and a little brown).
I could have left off the goodie for me, but that wouldn’t fly with my husband as he thinks that’s the best part. So, I crushed up sweet potato chips just with my hand and sprinkled them just over his serving. (Now THOSE won’t be tempting me later!)
My casserole was amazing!
I can’t describe what a yummy “comfort food” this turned out to be. And you could literally use anything you have on hand in it. In fact, Trent Hamm of thesimpledollar.com listed some of his favorite combinations here, and they are ALL over the map. This could even be another “kitchen sink” meal to add to your arsenal.
Are you game to “create” a casserole this way? I wanna know if you do it! Let me know YOUR favorite combinations in the comments!
Want info on other “kitchen sink” meals? Try this link…
Awesome perspective. Going to have to try this. Thank you Mellie!
Could be fun for everyone in the family to just come up with a combination and then see what you like! Or use it to clean out the fridge if D didn’t do that already! hahahaha