All About Casseroles

Over the years casseroles have been incorporated into American dining so frequently that you would think we lay claim to them. However, casseroles originated in ancient cultures where the practice of slowly stewing meats and other food items in earthenware dishes and containers was commonplace.

Casserole in French literally means stew pan and generally refers to a hodgepodge of meats, poultry, or wild game stewed in a liquid with various vegetables and spices. The pot, or dish, the casserole is served in has several monikers attached to it such as the literal translation stew pan, casserole dish, or simply casserole. These dishes are typically equipped with tight-fitting lids used to trap heat and moisture. The French culinary term en casserole also carries the quite literal definition of: served in a vessel used for cooking. Midwesterners, particularly Minnesotans, call it a hot dish. Casserole-esque main course dishes are quite popular in this region of the country.

Casserole variations

In the 1700s casserole dishes consisted of pounded and pressed rice that was used for the filling or liquid part of the equation. Casseroles today can be found in a variety of cultures all over the world, from Europe to Asia. Moroccan tajines and China's beggar's chicken are both popular variations of casseroles. In the United States green bean casseroles remain one of the most popular dishes at potlucks, holidays, and other family gatherings. While many variations exist, the main ingredients are cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, and, of course, green beans. In addition, there are a number of popular vegetarian casserole recipes.

Convenient casseroles
During the Great Depression, casseroles became an extremely popular dish because of how economical they were. You could feed an entire family on a single casserole dish. Casseroles are also extremely convenient because they can be prepared in advance and heated up later and served. Some casseroles are even better when they are reheated because they have had time to absorb all the different flavors that were originally combined. Most casseroles are fairly simple to prepare and you can basically create one using whatever you have sitting around your kitchen or refrigerator. Throw in your favorite meats and vegetables and you've got yourself a meal.

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