When I think of Hamburger Helper, I think of home. It’s funny how certain meals give us warm fuzzy feelings, no matter how much MSG they may contain. Growing up in the upper Midwest, the casserole was a staple, long before the sexier term “one-pot meals” or “skillet dinners” came into our vernacular. 

Then I moved to Minnesota, which I can confirm is distinctly different from the rest of the Midwest, and to make this point abundantly clear, casseroles, skillets, and one-pot meals are all considered HOTDISHES here. There was even a restaurant that dedicated it’s namesake to the meal, aptly named Haute Dish. 

Haute Dish has since closed, but in my heart remains a space for all the casseroles of my childhood. I can’t think of my high school boyfriend without remembering my favorite meal his mother made (some sort of sour cream/chicken/broccoli cheddar bake). And while I’m not sure I’ll be able to make casseroles “happen” again, I did turn to my team to collect a series of their favorite casserole (or casserole adjacent) dishes. I hope that you, my predominantly coastal readers, will consider the humble yet comforting casserole before writing it off as only something your Midwestern aunt brought to Thanksgiving.

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01

Coconut Rice with Brussels Sprouts

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Recommended by: Kate

This is a favorite dish in my rotation. You’ve got added creaminess in the rice along with a ton of flavor thanks to an herby, spicy sauce. This dish is vegan and is incredibly filling! 

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02

Cheesy Sausage, Green Bean, and Potato Bake

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Recommended by: Erin, New Business Director

This recipe is super easy and delicious. You can swap out cheese types based on your preference, and I find that the lemon lightens up the flavor in the best way.

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03

Smoked Salmon and Haddock Kedgeree

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Recommended by: Kate

When I lived in London with my college boyfriend, we rented a flat in Clapham North from a creative director and an illustrator. Not only was their home beautiful but they were also incredible cooks. I still remember the dish they served us one night for dinner. It was a one-pot rice dish, spotted with smoked fish, capers, and almonds. I had never had anything like it and still crave it to this day. Then, finally, I opened a Mary Berry cookbook I’d received for Christmas and found a dish that resembled it. It’s not exactly the same, but the dish itself feels to me like a cross between kedgeree and paella.

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04

Turkey Skillet Casserole

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Recommended by: Nancy, Executive Assistant

What I love about this kind of recipe is that it’s like tacos in the form of a casserole, so I serve it with all of the sides you would serve with tacos: cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chips, and lettuce. My addendum to the recipe is that I double the pasta to make it go further and serve a bigger group. It doesn’t seem to dilute the flavor. It makes for excellent leftovers too!

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05

Gratin Dauphinoise (Scalloped Potatoes)

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Recommended by: Kate

One of my favorite dishes my mom made when I was growing up was scalloped potatoes. I crave it often and find that few things taste as warm and as comforting to me. I’ve adapted my mom’s method to include some influence from the French, and I think the texture and taste of this dish are really lovely. 

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06

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

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Recommended by: Erin

This recipe is complete comfort food. The taste is so rich and flavorful, and the cracker mixture on top, baked until golden brown, is divine.

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