Invent Your Own Casserole

Sometimes when you are in a rush flexibility is important, if your pantry is low at the end of the pay period, you may not wish to or have the time to head to the store to get something for dinner. That is the beauty of this dish, most people will have some of the these ingredients on hand, making dinner a painless event.

CHOOSE ONE SAUCE MAKER
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup,or cream of
chicken soup, undiluted
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
2 (14 1/2 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

CHOOSE ONE FROZEN VEGETABLE
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (10 oz) package frozen cut broccoli
1 (10 oz) package frozen Italian green beans
1 (10 oz) package frozen English peas
1 (10 oz) package frozen sliced yellow squash
1 (10 oz) package frozen whole kernel corn

CHOOSE ONE PASTA/RICE
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup uncooked rice
4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
3 cups uncooked medium shells

CHOOSE ONE MEAT/FISH/POULTRY
2 (6 oz) cans solid white tuna, drained and flaked
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups chopped cooked ham
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE EXTRAS (OPTIONAL)
1 (3 oz) can sliced mushrooms drained
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilies
1 (1 1/4 oz) package taco seasoning mix

CHOOSE ONE OR TWO TOPPINGS
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS
Combine 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper with
sauce maker(omit sour cream and milk if using tomatoes). Stir in frozen vegetables,
pasta/rice, meat/fish/poultry, and if desired extras. Spoon into a lightly
greased 13 by 9 inch baking dish; sprinkle with toppings.
Bake casserole, covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes; uncover and
bake 10 more minutes. Yield 6 servings.

pic by: doortoriver