Hearty Amish Country Casserole Recipe

Cozy Hearty Amish Country Casserole Recipe: Farmhouse Comfort

When comfort food meets classic Amish country casserole magic, dinner transforms into a soul-warming experience.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this delectable recipe passed down through kitchens across rural Pennsylvania.

Layers of tender egg noodles, seasoned ground beef, and creamy sauce create a satisfying meal that speaks to simple, wholesome cooking.

The rich, hearty flavors blend perfectly with each carefully assembled ingredient.

Crisp edges and a golden-brown top promise a delightful texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This casserole brings warmth and nostalgia to your table, inviting you to savor every comforting bite.

Gather your loved ones and prepare for a memorable meal that celebrates traditional Midwestern cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 7

Amish Country Casserole Ingredient List

For Noodles and Protein:
  • Egg Noodles: Tender base that catches all the delicious flavors, choose wide or medium-width noodles for better texture.
  • Ground Beef: Hearty protein that provides rich meaty taste, select lean ground beef for less greasiness.
  • Onion: Adds depth and sweetness, fresh yellow onions work best for robust flavor.
For Creamy Base:
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates silky smooth foundation, opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt levels.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Enhances richness and adds subtle poultry undertones, look for brands with natural ingredients.
  • Milk: Helps blend sauces and creates luscious consistency, whole milk provides best creaminess.
For Topping and Finishing:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds sharp tangy notes, sharp varieties provide more intense flavor.
  • Breadcrumbs or Crackers: Creates delightful crispy golden crust, panko breadcrumbs offer extra crunchiness.
  • Butter: Helps brown topping and adds luxurious richness, unsalted butter allows better seasoning control.
  • Garlic Powder: Brings warm aromatic background, freshly ground provides more intense flavor.
  • Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and beautiful color, smoked paprika can introduce deeper complexity.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall taste, freshly ground black pepper recommended.

Tools to Bring This Country Casserole Together

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling egg noodles perfectly.
  • Large Skillet: Needed to brown ground beef and cook onions.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining soups, milk, and mixing ingredients.
  • 9×13-inch Baking Dish: Crucial for assembling and baking the casserole.
  • Whisk: Great for blending soups and milk smoothly.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir ingredients and mix casserole.
  • Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Colander: Used for draining cooked noodles.

How to Cook Amish Casserole Just Right

  • Boil and Prepare Noodles

Cook egg noodles in salted water following package directions. Drain and set aside.

  • Brown Meat and Onions

Sauté ground beef and diced onions in skillet until meat is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Remove excess grease.

  • Season the Mixture

Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper over meat. Mix thoroughly.

  • Create Creamy Sauce

Whisk cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and milk in large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.

  • Combine All Ingredients

Add cooked noodles, seasoned meat, and shredded cheddar cheese to creamy sauce. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

  • Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease baking dish and transfer noodle mixture, spreading evenly.

  • Add Topping

Optional: Sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over casserole. Dot with small butter pieces.

  • Bake and Serve

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Pair with fresh salad or vegetables.

Flavor Tweaks for a Heartier Meal

  • Cook egg noodles al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfect tender-but-firm bite in the final casserole.
  • Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian-friendly version that keeps the hearty flavor profile.
  • Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack, pepper jack, or gruyere to create unique flavor dimensions and add personal flair to the classic recipe.
  • Replace egg noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative that maintains the creamy, comforting essence of the original dish.
  • Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

Serving Ideas for Country-Style Casserole

  • Comfort Food Companion: Pair this hearty casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture.
  • Rustic Side Kick: Roast seasonal vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts with olive oil and herbs to complement the casserole's warm, homestyle flavors.
  • Family-Style Feast: Serve with warm dinner rolls or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce and create a complete, satisfying meal that brings everyone together.
  • Protein Plus: Add a simple protein like sliced grilled chicken or quickly sautéed shrimp on the side for extra substance and variety in your dinner spread.

Save and Store Amish Casserole Smartly

  • Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Wrap casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing flat in freezer for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents for easy tracking.
  • Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm in oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Add splash of milk to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Assemble entire casserole without baking, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking. This saves time and allows flavors to meld together beautifully.

FAQs

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, kids typically love this casserole because it’s cheesy, comforting, and has familiar ingredients like ground beef and noodles that most children enjoy eating.

  • Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground pork depending on your preference or what you have available.

  • How can I make this casserole more nutritious?

Try adding some frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli to the mixture to increase the nutritional value and add more color and texture to the dish.

  • What if I don't have cream of mushroom soup?

You can substitute with cream of celery soup or cream of chicken soup. If you prefer, you can also make a homemade white sauce as an alternative to canned soup.

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Tangy Cranberry Apple Coleslaw Recipe

Tangy Cranberry Apple Coleslaw Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Cranberry apple coleslaw blends tart fruit with crisp cabbage for a refreshing side dish. Cool autumn flavors complement hearty meals with delightful crunch you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (0.95 L) green cabbage, shredded
  • ½ cup (118 mL) dried cranberries
  • ½ cup (118 mL) mayonnaise
  • 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup (59 mL) carrots, shredded
  • ¼ cup (59 mL) almonds or pecans, sliced
  • 2 tbsps (30 mL) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) honey
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Combine finely shredded cabbage, crisp apple matchsticks, ruby-red dried cranberries, julienned carrots, and toasted sliced almonds in a generously sized mixing bowl.
  2. Dressing Creation: Whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, golden honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency that glistens with promise.
  3. Flavor Fusion: Pour the vibrant dressing over the vegetable medley, using a gentle folding technique to ensure every morsel becomes luxuriously enrobed in the creamy mixture, distributing flavors evenly throughout the salad.
  4. Marination: Cover the coleslaw and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify their complementary flavor profiles, transforming the simple ingredients into a harmonious culinary experience.
  5. Serving: Unveil the chilled salad, presenting a refreshing side dish that balances crisp textures, sweet-tangy notes, and a delightful crunch that celebrates seasonal ingredients in every spectacular bite.

Notes

  • Enhance Crunchiness: Toast almonds lightly before adding to boost their nutty flavor and provide extra crispness.
  • Prevent Watery Slaw: Drain apple and carrot slices on paper towels to remove excess moisture and maintain salad’s crisp texture.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich version or use vegan mayo for plant-based diets.
  • Flavor Intensification: Let coleslaw rest for 1-2 hours instead of minimum 30 minutes to allow ingredients to fully marinate and develop deeper taste profiles.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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