Now that the temperatures are about to start dropping and kids are back to school full force, fall favorites are coming back to grace and among them all kinds of casseroles. Not only are they filling and can warm a person up, they are easy to make as all you have to do is mix the ingredients, put them in a baking dish and place in the oven. Chances are you have your small selection of trusted casseroles and will be rotating between them over the upcoming cold months. But remembering that too much of the same thing, no matter how tasty it is, can become quite boring, think of some ways to tweak your casseroles for your and your family’s enjoyment.
For a meaty casserole, no matter if you make it with potatoes, noodles or veggies, a dash of barbecue sauce is a perfect way to up the flavor. Simply coat the meat in your favorite barbecue sauce and prepare the rest as usual, and you’re sure to get a new flavor without much extra time or effort. You can also try marinating the meat overnight in a new marinate or rubbing it with a mix of exotic spices and you’ll be sure to surprise your family with both an appetizing new smell and a delicious new taste.
A great way to update the flavor is to go seasonal. Adding ripe tomatoes, cubed or sliced, or mixing in some pumpkin is a quick way to make sure the casserole is up to date, and having fresh local ingredients means your casserole is that much healthier, as you’ll be skipping unnecessary preservatives in it. Opt for tomatoes, peppers or pumpkins that are not picture perfect for the least amount of residual pesticides possible, use only fresh ingredients and avoid any processed ones, and you’ll be serving not only taste but also health on a plate.
Cheesy casseroles, those made with macaroni or potatoes, are usually full of one kind of shredded cheese. Nothing easier to change the flavor a little in that situation than to go a bit wild with your cheese. Don’t be afraid of brie, camembert or bleu cheese, try some goat cheese or cream cheese in the mix and remember that not only shredded but also cubed or sliced cheese will melt in your oven, yet different serving solutions will create different textures, making your casseroles more interesting both flavor and chewing wise.
Something that will change the taste of every casserole, whether it’s vegetarian, full of pasta, fish based or meat loaded are the herbs and spices you use. Black pepper and salt are what most people use, but don’t be afraid to try some curry, coriander, cumin, marjoram, thyme or mint, to replace salt with soy sauce or to add some mustard. Different sauces, from Worcestershire sauce to barbecue sauce, dressings from vinaigrette to Thousand Island or pastes like sambal or umami paste are also what can take a family recipe and turn it into gourmet meal, so don’t be afraid to experiment and to ask your family for ideas, and you might be eating a top notch macaroni and cheese with nutmeg or an oriental tuna casserole in no time.