Making the household food budget stretch can be quite a challenge in this waning, uncertain economy. Considering the price of meat, extending those grocery dollars planned for protein can prove to be quite a test. Casseroles can be the simple answer to this household dilemma. By reducing the amount of meat per person, per serving, without sacrificing taste, the family will still enjoy a hearty meal and give the monthly budget a much needed boost for other items.
Most one dish meals are easy and fast to prepare. This simple cheesy chicken casserole will please those picky eaters that every mom has, as well as the adults in the family. Best of all, one-dish meals make planning dinner a snap. The easy clean-up after the meal will allow more quality family time together in the evenings.
Ingredients Needed for Casserole
- Two cooked medium to large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Two cups of wide egg noodles, boiled and ready to serve
- One can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
- One soup can of water
- One packet of dry vegetable soup
- One half cup of sour cream
- One half cup of shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese
Preparing the Chicken Casserole
- On a large plate or platter, with a sharp knife, chop the cooked chicken breasts into easy, bite-sized pieces and set aside to add later.
- In a large bowl, combine the Cream of Mushroom soup, packet of dry vegetable soup, water and sour cream. Allow this mixture to combine flavors for approximately fifteen minutes. Stir in the chopped chicken and cooked egg noodles. Pour this mixture into a slightly greased two quart glass casserole dish. Top the casserole with shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
- Bake the casserole in a 350 degree oven for approximately forty-five minutes, or until casserole is bubbly and just beginning to brown. Allow the casserole to cool for approximately ten minutes before serving.
Serving
Serve Cheesy Chicken Vegetable Casserole with a leafy green salad and dressing. Hot buttered bread also goes well with this dish. Or serve a favorite vegetable. This casserole serves five to six people.
Other Ideas
Tuna is a good substitute for chicken when the pantry is running low. Even ground beef is acceptable in this dish. Experiment with different soups or cheeses to change the flavor and add variety.
Remember to shop the sale items in the local paper and substitute those for similar ingredients in recipes. This will not only save money, but will add more variety to the nightly meal.
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