Casseroles and Beyond: A Midwest Tradition

As a Midwesterner, it is hard to think of any funeral, potluck, or holiday meal that does not include a casserole; whether it be green bean, tuna noodle, fried bologna, or tater tot casserole, it is always there. The Midwest families needed food that would fill them up after a long day of hard work, but that would save time in the kitchen [1]. Casseroles, aka hot dishes, checked both those boxes. Plus, very little culinary skills are needed to make them. Diversity in the settlers helped the Midwest casserole evolve as well. Germans, French, and English settlers mixed their traditional starches and veggies with the canned soups from Campbells to ensure endless amounts of possible casseroles [1,2]. They learned and shared to make sure their family never got bored with dinner time.

An American Comfort Food

Prior to the 1870’s, casseroles were savory and sweet usually made with some form of a crust. America saw an explosion of the more modern casseroles during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries [3]. This can be attributed to World War I, the Great Depression, and Campbells soup inventing the condensed soup [1,2]. Casseroles were an inexpensive way to feed many people with what was available. Leftovers could easily be reused and upcycled into a brilliant casserole. Neighbors could come together, each bringing one ingredient, and provide a meal that would feed the neighborhood. This is also why casseroles are known for bringing people together [1].

Unmatched Versatility

This traditional meal is not only versatile in ingredients, but also cooking methods. Crockpots, ovens, microwaves, or even open fires are just some of the ways humanity has cooked their casseroles throughout the past hundred years [2]. Casseroles are superb options for revamping leftovers or using up canned food from the cabinet. Because of the recipe being more of a math equation (1 protein +1 starch+1vegetable+1sauce) [1], a casserole can be transformed to meet any dietary restrictions or appease picky eaters.

Creamy Chicken Casserole

A simple take on a timeless tradition:

Ingredients

3 cups of dry noodles
2 10.5oz cans of Cream of Chicken soup
2 15 oz cans of vegetables (Variety is based on preference.)
7 Cups of water

Utensils Needed

Mixing spoon
9 by 13 Casserole dish
1 cup measuring cup
Pot

Steps

Gather all ingredients and utensils.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Boil 6 cups of water.
Add 3 cups of noodles. Allow to cook for 7-10 minutes stirring every 3 minutes.
Mix both cans of soup and 1 cup of water into the casserole dish.
Drain vegetables and add to the casserole dish.
Drain noodles and add to the casserole dish.
Stir until evenly mixed
Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.

Cheese, breadcrumbs, frosted flakes, or chips are just some of the options that could be added for a crunch on top. Simply crush the topping of your choice and spread it evenly across the top. Cover with foil and bake. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Canned or cooked poultry, seafood, beef can be added to this recipe. Just add a half cup of milk with step five and add the protein with steps six and seven.

This recipe can easily be prepped and frozen for weekly convenience. Simply allow the casserole to cook 15-20 minutes longer.

Casseroles are a rich part of American heritage that help bring people together. They are also a great way to make a food budget stretch. So, make up this casserole and invite friends and family over to share a meal.

Works Cited:

[1] L. Long, “Green Bean Casserole and Midwestern Identity: A Regional Foodways Aesthetic and Ethos,” in MIDWESTERN FOLKLORE, vol.33, no.1, pp 29-45, Spring, 2007.

[2] L. Martinez, “The Flavorful Story Behind the Origin of Casserole,” HomeDiningKitchen.com, Sept. 17, 2024. [Online]. Available: The Flavorful Story Behind the Origin of Casserole – HomeDiningKitchen [Accessed: Oct. 25, 2024].

[3] L. Olver, “Food Timeline–FAQ: Casseroles,” The Food Timeline, 2000. [Online]. Available: https://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq.html#casseroles. [Accessed: 25-Oct-2024].