What Food Groups Are Typically In A Classic Casserole?

Casseroles are one of those great meals that are a staple in most homes for many good reasons. They are relatively easy to prepare, requiring only a few steps to put together, and then they can be popped into the oven for easy cooking. They are also a great dish for using up any leftovers you may have in the fridge or making a big batch of food ahead of time, which means they are ideal for meal preppers. 

Plus, casseroles can be adapted to include a wide range of ingredients and food groups, and they are often perfect for feeding a large group of people. They can also be made with affordable ingredients, making them a budget-friendly meal option. Speaking of ingredients, while it is true that casseroles can be made with many different foods, traditional casserole recipes usually include the same food groups. But what exactly is a casserole, and what are the food groups that usually make up a traditional casserole?

So what exactly defines a casserole? The word "casserole" originated in ancient Greece and means "a one-pot meal that involves combining the ingredients in an oven-safe dish and baking them," according to the experts from Masterclass. A cast-iron skillet can also serve as a casserole dish since it can be baked. Casseroles can be savory, such as lasagna, shepherd's pie, baked macaroni and cheese, and tuna casserole, but they can also be sweet, like a sweet potato casserole, apple bread pudding, or chocolate lasagna.  

With all of this variety, the food groups that are typically found in a classic casserole can change depending on the recipe you are following and the type of casserole being made. However, most casseroles will include at least some of these basic foods:  vegetables, meats, grains, some type of fat, and a sauce or cheese to bind everything together as it bakes.

Proteins in a casserole can include meat, poultry, and fish, but if you want to keep it vegetarian, the protein could include beans, lentils, or tofu, as well. Casseroles also often include vegetables, such as onions, carrots, celery, bell peppers, or green beans, and sweet casseroles will most often feature a fruit, like an apple in an apple casserole. In addition, starches, like rice, pasta, potatoes, or bread crumbs, are used in most types of casseroles to provide a base for the other ingredients to rest on while the foods bake, and almost all casseroles will also include cheese, milk, cream, or sour cream to add richness, extra flavor, and a binding ingredient to help hold the other ingredients together.

So, whether you're making a dinner, dessert, or breakfast casserole, you will find some of the same basic food groups in the recipes. All in all, you can count on casseroles to feed your family on a busy weeknight, or they can be a great meal to take along to a potluck or family reunion.