Casserole Recipes for Two People (2024)

FAQs

What is the most useful casserole dish size? ›

"The standard size of a casserole dish is 9 by 13 inches. However, due to varying shapes, they are often measured by volume, with three quarts being average,” says Contrino. “It is important to note that if a recipe calls only for a casserole dish, it is most likely asking for a 9- by 13-inch rectangular size.

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

The serving size of mixed entrée recipes (casseroles) must be stated in cups (1-1½ cups), not ounces. Plain meat dished are stated in ounces. To calculate the amount of servings of six (6) two (2) ounces of protein your recipe provides, estimate the number of servings for each protein ingredient and add together.

The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 litre per person, and then round up.

For a normal appetite 6 oz (175 g) per person is usually adequate.

Par Cook Pasta and Vegetables

"Partially cooking these ingredients is the only way to make a casserole with a satisfying texture," says LaClair. She stresses you should undercook rather than overcook them, as they will continue to cook in the oven—and will dry out quickly if already fully cooked.

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

Begin by browning the meat or chicken, separately, before adding vegetables, liquids and herbs. This seals in the juices and adds flavour. Work in batches when browning meat or chicken. If you add too much to the pan at once, it will cook in its own juices and become tough.

A perfect casserole needs one or more binders: cheese, eggs, condensed soup, Greek yogurt or noodles, for example.

Macaroni and cheese is the oldest written casserole recipe found in 1250.

What binds a casserole together? ›

The key to a good casserole is the sauce or broth that binds those ingredients together as they bubble in the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together into a harmonious, comforting meal. This can be something as simple as the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix used in this tasty Hamburger Casserole dish.

Starchy side dishes and casseroles: a 9 X 13 pan makes about 12 one cup servings. A 2 quart casserole will make 6 to 8 cups. A typical serving size for potatoes, stuffing, and yams is 1 cup.

If you love nothing more than having friends round for dinner parties or hosting big family feasts we recommend a 24-28cm round, 29cm oval or a 30cm shallow dish. These will allow you to cook bigger portions for 4-8 people.

The average 9x13 rectangular baking dish holds 3.5 to 4 quarts. However, the number of quarts varies based on how deep the dish is—some of our deeper recommendations hold up to 5 quarts. Recipes that cook in a 3-quart dish or Dutch oven can be cooked interchangeably in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Starchy side dishes and casseroles: a 9 X 13 pan makes about 12 one cup servings. A 2 quart casserole will make 6 to 8 cups. A typical serving size for potatoes, stuffing, and yams is 1 cup.

My thoughts: The 9×13-inch rectangular casserole pan is by far the most called-for dish in casserole cookery, followed closely by the 8×8 (or 9×9) square dishes. (The 9×13 also holds about 3 quarts of volume, so in some recipes it can be used interchangeably with a 3 quart Dutch oven, like this one.)