Herbed Stuffing Zucchini Bake Recipe

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, divided
5 medium size zucchini, washed and diced
1 or 2 regular carrots, finely diced
1 small onion, diced
2 1/2 cups herb seasoned dry stuffing, divided
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup
1/2 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a casserole dish.

In a large skillet, melt 4 Tbsp  of the butter, add the zucchini, carrot, and onion; cook, stirring, until vegetables are just starting to get tender, then remove skillet from heat.

Stir in 1-1/2 cups of the dry stuffing, the soup, and the sour cream, until combined well. then spoon into casserole dish.

In a separate saucepan, put the remaining 4 Tbsp butter, melt, then add the remaining stuffing and stir until well coated with butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the zucchini mixture in casserole.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling hot. Remove and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Will make 8 to 10 potluck size servings.

Tips For Proper Potluck Etiquette

Proper Potluck Etiquette - What To Do Or Not To Do

An invitation to a potluck differs quite a bit from other invitations to dinner. When we invite someone to a potluck, we are asking them to participate. The idea of inviting a guest to dinner, then asking them to bring food along is strange and basically unacceptable... with one exception. The request to 'bring a dish to pass' is perfectly acceptable on an invitation to a potluck.

Once we understand the basics of the potluck, there may be other questions that arise. Let's take a look at a few issues that a potluck host and guest may encounter.

What Dish to Pass

Many potluck invitations are wide open, but not all. It is perfectly acceptable for a host to ask a guest to bring a particular food, within reason.

The host is responsible for the menu, so that may steer the participants in certain ways in order to fill out the table. For instance, if the host is having ham as her main dish, she may want a variety of potato dishes, salads, and desserts that go well with ham.

However, for a host to hand guests a recipe and ask them to make something very specific is rather, shall we say, pushy? Most people who attend potluck dinners enjoy sharing a signature dish of their own. Perhaps it's a family recipe that they are proud of and would like to share. So, as a host, if you need potato dishes to round out your table, it's polite to ask your guest to provide a potato dish, and not "potatoes au gratin with onion but no garlic and only mild cheddar cheese and a white sauce made with whole wheat only..." 

What You Need for Set Up

Both the host and the guests are best served when information is shared. For instance, if you are bringing a crockpot, be sure your host knows you will need an outlet. If you are bringing a salad that needs to be kept cold, be sure there is plenty of ice and a large container to make an ice bath, or provide your own, but let the host know.

If the guests need to provide their own serving utensils, the host must let them know. If a guest is bringing soup, someone will need to bring bowls and spoons; find out who.

Set up may take a while so be sure to get there on time - both hosts and guests. Hosts need to have someone available to help guests deliver their food to the right table. Guests need to know when to come, where to park, and how best to get the food to the right place at the right time. Both the host and the guests are on a 'need to know basis' and they both need to know everything!

Just Plain Courtesy

Guests need to ask the host what the clean up situation is. Do guests need to just get their own dishes out of there or will there be washing and scrubbing to do? The host should let the guests know ahead of time if there will be difficulty getting their cookware and utensils back right away. That will let guests arrange for disposable items if they are not comfortable bringing their good cookware.

If leftover food is to be discarded or distributed to anyone who wants it, the host will need to let the guests know the situation. Some people could be offended to see their food given away. Talk about this beforehand so plans can be made to gather up leftovers before they are given away or thrown away if this is the case. If guests are proud of their offerings, seeing them scraped into the dumpster would not sit well.

Guests cannot expect their host to provide containers if leftovers are to be shared. If you want to bring home food, you will need to have food containers ready. Also, if guests need to leave early, they can't expect to grab their dish and run without everyone having a chance to sample it. Guests are expected to make arrangements to get their dishes back later in that case. Yes, it would be rude to walk out with your dish before dinner is done.

And Last But Not Least...

Bring your recipe! Potlucks are usually about sharing a dish that you enjoy making. Participants in a potluck are anxious to get recipes for new dishes. That's half the fun. Print up a pile of recipe cards and don't be shy - share!

Knowing what to expect without expecting too much is a balancing act, but the host and guests can manage this by having and sharing all the information they can right upfront. Get the invitations out early, RSVP promptly, and everything should come off without a problem. All the host and guests have to do now is enjoy the fun!

Creative Ways To Serve Up A Potluck Meal

Potluck With A Theme - Creative Ways To Serve Up Delicious Fun

Green bean casserole. Macaroni and cheese. Potatoes au gratin. Three bean salad. Jello. If this list of food instantly says "potluck" to you, you are not alone. An invitation to a potluck can summon visions of the same array of food, over and over and over again. This can cause boredom, if not a total lack of appetite.

But, a potluck meal doesn't have to follow a certain time-honored tradition of casseroles, salads, and Jello. Although these dishes can be creative and delicious, sometimes they need a little help, or direction.

That's where a theme comes in. One way to help alleviate the 'same old same old' is by designing a menu that steers away (or sometimes to!) a more interesting twist. Let's take a look at a few ideas for themed potlucks that can help the participants get more creative in their offerings.

Seafood

Remember, anything goes when it's a themed potluck. That means be prepared to see dishes you might think you know but with a whole new flavor twist. Is macaroni and cheese your favorite dish? Go ahead and bring it, but just be sure you make a seafood mac and cheese. You can still make your pasta salad, just replace the ham with shrimp. Green bean casserole can always join the theme party with layers of Cajun spiced crawfish.

Or try something totally different and make smoked salmon spread, then make a batch of taquitos using the salmon spread, chopped cucumbers, and green onions. Make fish cakes or clam dip. Let your imagination guide you and turn favorites into something different, or take a totally new turn.

Pizza

You want to really steer clear of the old ideas here and come up with a pizza that is way beyond ordinary. Think of the pizza crust in a totally new way and let it guide you when you choose the ingredients.

You can make hot, cheesy pizzas or cold, fresh fruit and vegetable pizzas. Try making pizzas on different types of crusts - biscuit, phyllo, crescent rolls, or even thinly rolled out chicken cutlets. Make individual pizzas or full size. Start with the 'crust' and build your pizza up from there. Sweet, savory, spicy, gooey, or crunchy - you decide how your pizza is going to WOW the potluck crowd, then do it!

Jello

Why not just give in to the Jello! This is a fun theme for a Friday afternoon event at work or for any group on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Any time when dinner is not needed, but a gathering IS needed, this is a fun theme.
Grab your most outrageous (or most delicious!) Jello recipes and bring them out for all to see, and share.
Kids will love this potluck, too. It makes a good theme for summer camp or even birthday parties. The sky's the limit with this theme. No dish is too crazy to enjoy!

There are so many themes to enjoy that a potluck never has to be boring. Try a finger-foods theme, or a blender drink theme, or a healthy diet theme, or a favorite cafeteria food theme. No matter what you choose, the idea is to spark some creativity by providing a focus, a theme, to get the participants motivated. One thing you can be sure of, it will never be boring!

Tips For Last Minute Potluck Dishes

Last Minute Potluck Dishes – 4 Easy And Memorable Offerings

Does this sound familiar? You finally get around to opening your email at work and see an invitation to a potluck dinner tomorrow evening. Or, you pick up your church bulletin and see that the potluck you talked about going to with a friend is this Sunday. It's short notice, so the idea of making your famous homemade seven layer German sweet chocolate cake is out of the question. But, you don't want to show up with a bag of chips and tub of dip either. So, what's the answer?

Let's take a look at a few quick and simple offerings that won't make you look, or feel, like a loser at the potluck table. 

Green Stuff

This is a guilty pleasure for many folks, especially at holiday meals. So, why not give everybody what they want, but are too shy to ask for?

The recipe is so simple it's almost sinful, just like the creation itself. There are many options, but basically you will need to stop at the store and get pistachio pudding, a big tub of whipped topping, a can of crushed pineapple, and some nuts. Some people add cottage cheese or marshmallows to their Green Stuff. It's totally up to you how you make it. The wonderful thing is it goes together in minutes and is ready when you are. And, everyone loves this stuff! No reason at all to be embarrassed showing up with this offering.

Bean Salad

The beauty of this salad is it can be different every time you make it. It all depends what you want to throw in. You can easily begin in your own pantry and refrigerator and go from there, perhaps not even having to make a trip to the store.

Gather together canned beans, any variety; black, pinto, cannellini, navy, kidney, lima, green, yellow waxed, etc. Then, look in your freezer and grab whole kernel corn, green peas, mixed veggies, or anything you have on hand. Drain the cans, thaw the frozen, and throw them all into a big bowl. Dig through your crisper and grab some onion, celery, and radishes, too, and chop those up. Now dress the salad with that bottle of Italian  dressing you have had in your refrigerator just waiting for emergencies. Voila! You have a very presentable tangy and tasty salad. No apologizes needed because this is one delicious dish.

Cole Slaw

It's true that cole slaw may be the laziest way out of a tight potluck predicament. And, if you are not careful, it will taste lazy, too. But, there are ways to turn even a humble bag of cole slaw into a welcome dish at any potluck.

The trick with cole slaw salad is to give it a twist. Make your salad sweet and savory by adding pineapple, raisins, and nuts, then mixing up a dressing that has a savory edge using apple cider vinegar and Greek yogurt or mayonnaise. Then throw in some sunflower seeds or nuts for more color and crunch. Or create a satisfying cole slaw salad by adding lots of crumbled bacon, broccoli, sweet red bell pepper, and toss with a smoky style dressing. You just want to make sure that you add some surprises when offering a cole slaw salad, then it will look like you thought about bringing this dish for days instead of hours.

Mixed Nut Nibbles

Of course you never want to just bring a can of mixed nuts and dump them out into a bowl and serve. That just shows absolute disinterest in the event and the other guests. It's better not to show up at all if this is the case. Instead, create a flavorful homemade treat that takes minutes but tastes like you really put some thought into the preparation.

Just spread mixed nuts out onto a baking sheet. If you want a sweet nibble, toss with a little light oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar and bake in a medium oven, stirring occasionally, just until hot and fragrant. If you want a savory nibble, toss the nuts with olive oil and spices like hot pepper flakes, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Bake until fragrant, stirring every few minutes. Remove and let cool, then put the nuts in a pretty bowl. When you set these nuts out, provide a spoon and a tiny candy cup or muffin cup, whatever you have, so guests can fill up the cup and walk around, nibbling and chatting. What will they be chatting about? I suspect they will be talking about how delicious these nutty treats are!

Even with very short notice you can create a dish to bring to a potluck meal. You don't have to resort to a bag of chips and tub of dip. You can bring something to offer that is truly delicious and definitely worthy of a spot on the potluck table!

Tips For Avoiding Potluck Disasters

Potluck Disasters - How To Avoid A Culinary Catastrophe

When you are invited to a potluck dinner, do you feel the pressure to get it perfect?  Sure, you want to provide a delicious dish, but somewhere between a culinary masterpiece and a disaster lies a dish you can be proud of.

Let's take a look at some issues that could create a less than perfect, or even presentable, potluck table, and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

For the Love of Jello

There is just something about a Jello dish that evokes strong emotions - joy, nostalgia, or despair - perhaps even all three at the same time. Nevertheless, Jello often plays a major part in a potluck meal, so we need to explore this dish and how to make it work.

Whether your Jello recipe is a dessert, salad, or somewhere in between, remember; not everyone appreciates Jello. You may have fond memories of your Great Aunt Tilly's lime Jello salad with grated carrots and Miracle Whip, but try to imagine if you had never seen or tasted it before. The true test of a Jello dish is one question; "Would I have to explain what this dish is?" If the answer is "Yes," chances are you want to rethink your choice.

However, that is not to say all Jello concoctions are a catastrophe. There are many ways to serve Jello that are familiar and delicious. The rule of thumb here would be "When in doubt, don't." Save your Great Aunt Tilly's salad for the family who remembers it fondly.

Sad Green Salad

Although it should go without saying, a wilted green salad is just plain sad on a potluck table. The idea of a crispy fresh salad is certainly appetizing, but when that salad wilts, discolors, or gets watery, it can make you want to skip the whole table and head for the beverages and desserts.

The first thing to keep in mind with a green salad is to avoid the greens that discolor and wilt fast. Iceberg lettuce is a definite no-no. The edges turn brown and the lettuce is super-watery, causing the salad to form a lake at the bottom of the bowl very quickly. Choose dark, leafy greens that you would typically find in a bag of mixed greens. It's a much safer bet. You can mix in some chopped Romaine for extra crunch which tends to stay fresher longer than iceberg.

It should also be noted that, no matter how inconvenient it may seem to supply separate containers of dressing, do it anyway. Fresh greens coated with creamy or oil and vinegar dressing will be wilted before you even get to the potluck. So go ahead and bring your big bowl of lovely crispy salad to the potluck, but bring along the dressing 'on the side.'

Safety First

Aside from the soggy salads or the mystery Jello dishes, there is a catastrophe that is much more serious - keeping your food safe to eat. There are several ways to ensure that your hot food stays hot and your cold food stays cold.

You want to be sure that each and every crockpot, chaffing dish, electric roaster, etc., has its own outlet. That means, you don't want to be plugging one dish in, then unplugging it to give another dish a chance to warm up. With that system, none of the dishes actually reach the safety zone before they are unplugged and left to cool down to the bacteria growing zone. Plan ahead and arrange your tables to accommodate each of the hot items.

If you expect to receive salads with mayonnaise-based dressing, be sure to have plenty of large bins, bowls, or tubs with ice. When your guests arrive with their salads, have them gently lower the bowls into the ice bath. Leave the salads covered and drape a clean towel over the top to maintain the chill until ready to serve.
Time can get away from you when you are busy organizing your table, and that potato salad that was set down and ignored could be starting to get warm even in the short time it takes to start serving.

You want your potluck meal to come off without a hitch, but it takes more than wishing and hoping - it takes planning. Keep in mind that there are things you can do, both as a host and a guest, to help make a potluck a real success. A potluck is supposed to have some surprises, but they should all be delicious ones!  Good luck and enjoy the fun.

Tips For Hosting A Meatless Potluck Dinner

 Ideas To Help Your Guests Enjoy A Meatless Potluck Dinner

Serving meatless meals is becoming more and more popular. Most of us have heard of Meatless Monday, and many of us are participating in this trend. It should come as no surprise that people planning potluck dinners have jumped on this bandwagon. After all, the potluck meal is meant to please a wide variety of hungry folks, many of whom don't eat meat.

Sure, you could say there are plenty of salads at a potluck to satisfy the non-meat eaters, but that doesn't really seem fair. Shouldn't there be a healthy alternative besides some veggies and lettuce? Let's take a look at a few ideas for a well-rounded potluck menu for a meatless meal.

Beans

For those who omit meat from their diet, beans are a substantial source of protein. But, do you really want to just throw a few black beans in a pasta salad and call it good? That just looks like an after-thought, which won't gain any favor with your vegetarian friends.

When you look at the enormous variety of beans available, you can imagine the possibilities. Gather together as many beans as you can find and create a mixed bean soup, for instance. Use plenty of herbs, spices, and vegetables to fill out the pot. If you want the smoky flavor of ham in your bean soup without the ham, sprinkle in smoked paprika. Everyone, meat eater or not, can definitely appreciate this filling dish! Lentil dahl is another satisfying thick soup that is loaded with fragrant spices, making it a delight for everyone.

But, you don't have to stick with soup. Smash cooked black beans and mix with avocado (also high in protein), tomatoes, onion, and lots of spice to create a dip for crackers or bread that is out of this world. Whip up a variety of spreads like hummus using garbanzo beans, navy beans, or cannellini beans. Be sure to add lots of lime, lemon, cilantro, garlic, and spices. Use this spread to create classic pinwheels (filled tortillas, chilled, then sliced) or taquitos (tiny tortillas, filled and rolled up cigar-style).

A classic 3 Bean Salad can also be turned into a full-meal deal rather than a side dish. Again, you want as many varieties of beans as you can get. There are no rules or limits to this dish. Just make sure you include plenty of crunchy fresh vegetables to create not only a healthy dish but interesting textures and flavors. Dress the salad with light olive oil and vinegar, but go crazy with the seasonings and herbs for a truly unique offering on the potluck table.

Nuts

Little dishes of nuts scattered around the room is just wrong at a meatless potluck. The idea is to focus on the proteins, not use them as kibble. There are plenty of ways to create dishes that offer some nutty nutrition.
Add lots of crunch to a green bean casserole by adding nuts rather than the typical fried onion topping.

Almonds are a classic taste combination with beans, but any nuts will work. Combine several nuts for a surprising taste and texture and you are sure to please all your potluck guests - meatless or not.

Actually, using nuts for the crunchy texture in just about any potluck fare can work well. Make Thai inspired roll-ups using peanut butter and chopped peanuts, rolled in with cilantro, cucumbers, and bean sprouts or other greens. Are you making bean burgers or tofu burgers? Coat them with finely crushed nuts.

 As a matter of fact, you can use finely crushed nuts as a substitute for coating for just about anything - oven fried mushrooms or other vegetables, for instance. Speaking of mushrooms, go ahead and stuff those big mushroom caps with crushed nuts and cheese and watch them disappear. And don't skimp on the pistachios when you add them to your fruit salad. As a matter of fact, turn the tables a little and make it a pistachio salad and sprinkle on some fruit!

Dairy

Many vegetarians still eat dairy products. If this is the case at your potluck meal, then you are free to explore the many possibilities of cheese, yogurt, milk, etc.

A plate of cheese and crackers is good, but a sizzling hot skillet of baked fontina cheese served with crusty bread is way, way better! The cheese is cubed and sprinkled with garlic, onion, and lots of fresh herbs, then put in an oiled cast iron skillet under a broiler until bubbling hot. Once melted, this cheese can be kept hot just by wrapping the skillet safely in aluminum foil and then in towels. You could also use individual broiler-proof dishes if you have them for an even more appealing meatless entree. You can make similar cheesy individual entrees in biscuit lined muffin tins.

Create cream based soups and casseroles using milk to make a white sauce, adding cheese when you desire. Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is high in protein and can be used to make salad dressings even healthier.

Vegetables

Then there are the vegetables. But, please skip the tired crudite tray of celery and carrots. Instead, opt for dishes that feature protein rich vegetables such as avocado, peas, asparagus, and dark leafy greens.

This may be the time to perfect your guacamole. But, don't just serve it as a dip, use it as a spread or a salad dressing. Sweet peas can take center stage in a cold salad mixed in with lots of cucumber, radishes, and onion. Grilled asparagus tossed with an oil and vinegar dressing, then mixed with walnuts, sweet onion, and hot pepper flakes makes a dazzling dish. Big bowls of greens dressed with hot sweet and sour sauce and covered in walnuts or pecans is also a lovely sight.

And don't forget the versatile zucchini and eggplant! These two vegetables can fill a casserole dish fast and create a rather impressive offering on a potluck table. Add layers of cheese, onions, and tomatoes and even the hungriest folks will be satisfied with this meatless dish.

You don't have to subject your non-meat eating friends to a boring arrangement of lettuce salads at your next potluck meal. Throw a meatless potluck and get everybody thinking about what splendid dishes they can offer that are filling, nutritious, and delicious, and without a bit of meat!

Tips For Healthy Potluck Dinners

Healthy Potluck Choices - Taking A New Look At The Old Standards

To someone watching their diet, the words "You're invited to a potluck!" can be a bit disheartening. Sure, you can bring a healthy dish to pass that meets your needs, but enjoying other offerings may be hit and miss.
Let's take a look at how we can put a healthier spin on some old potluck favorites. Perhaps you'll even inspire others to follow suit and create healthier alternatives, too.

Cream Of Soup Casseroles

Opening up a can or two or three of 'cream of' soup is a handy way to get a casserole dish made in a hurry. There is no denying the convenience, but when it comes to creating a dish to pass that is healthier, you might want to rethink this ingredient.

A can of 'cream of anything soup' is basically a thick white sauce with flavorings. It's simple to make a white sauce and almost as fast as gathering and opening cans of soup. Put equal parts flour and oil (or butter) in a saucepan and stir over low heat. When the flour has turned a light yellow in color, slowly start adding milk or broth, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Now add garlic powder, onion powder, and any other seasonings you wish. If you want to mimic cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of asparagus, etc, just saute the vegetables until soft in another skillet and add to the white sauce. Voila! You have homemade cream of soup without all the additives, extra salt, or even sugar.

Pasta Salads

These big bowls of pasta are definitely on the top of the list of comfort foods found on a potluck table. Pasta swimming in mayonnaise dressing is a guilty pleasure for many of us. Creating a healthier alternative isn't too tricky when you substitute just a few new ingredients for the old standards.

Heavy mayonnaise or bottled Ranch style dressings can be swapped out for lighter fare made with yogurt liberally flavored with lots of herbs and seasonings. You can skip the creamy texture entirely and use an olive oil based dressing for even more healthy benefits. Use whole wheat pasta and double up on the veggies in the salad. Toss in garbanzo beans, black beans, or cannellini beans for lots of protein and to make the pasta salad even more filling.

Desserts

Gooey bars and creamy rich cakes are pretty standard offerings at most potlucks. It's hard to resist having a sweet treat when so many are lavishly displayed right there in front of you. But, it's possible to create a healthier dessert, too.

Many folks would agree that to have a truly satisfying dessert, one must indulge in chocolate. But, skip the double-double layers of chocolate frosted chocolate cake. Instead, try your hand at making chocolate coated nuts. It's as simple as melting chocolate morsels in a double boiler, then drizzling over nuts and stirring together. Nuts and chocolate both are satisfying, filling, and have health benefits. No one will miss a slab of fatty cake on their plate when they have a handful of deliciously sweet and crunchy chocolate covered nuts to nibble on.

The next time you are invited to a potluck, don't worry; your new healthy eating habits won't have to suffer. Join forces with fellow potluck attendees who also are enjoying a healthier lifestyle, then put together simple recipes that tweak some of your favorite dishes to pass. You may just start a whole new trend in your office, church, or family - the healthy potluck!

Quick Chicken Casserole Recipes You Can Make Today

The Best Fast Four Ingredients Casseroles

Meal planning is all very good, but in real life, there are times when all your great plans fail. These are the times you are tempted to either cave in and have some expensive, unhealthy convenience food, go to the drive thru, or order expensive delivery pizza.

But, you're smarter than that, so instead you run into the grocery store to grab something quick and healthy for dinner, and that usually leads you right to the chicken. You know it's healthy, it's inexpensive, and it's versatile.

When you get home you have your chicken, you look at the pantry, and you think; "Now what?" You've got to make this fast and easy. Throwing a chicken casserole together would be ideal since you would then have time to get things done while it's in the oven. Maybe you could go through the kids' school papers, make a phone call or two, or just gather your thoughts and go through your to-do list for the day.

If this is the scenario in your house more often than not, you need an arsenal of 'go to' ingredients to add to your chicken so you can get a casserole in the oven and cooking in minutes. You don't have time to chop and measure. These are the kinds of ingredients that you can open, pour or shake, and be done. These are the kinds of short cuts you need to make delicious chicken casseroles very fast and very easy.

So, what do you need to keep on hand? Here are four of my favorite ingredients to produce a chicken casserole in no time flat. Of course, you'll want to keep some sort of broth in the pantry, too, but along with that basic, consider these flavorful and filling additions.

Salsa

Oh, what a good jar of salsa can do for a piece of chicken! Choose the salsa you like best, the kind you would eat as a condiment with Mexican food. You want all those intense flavors in one jar for this ingredient to save time and do the work for you. Just pour it all over the chicken in a casserole and bake. You can add other ingredients if you like, but with the right salsa, it could be enough as is. Of course, if salsa isn't right for you, substitute any good marinara or other sauce for this ingredient. Just as long as it's rich and flavorful, and easy, it works.

Penne Pasta

The reason I chose this particular pasta is because it's sturdy. If you are going to include pasta in a casserole, you need to be sure it won't get mushy. You can bake uncooked pasta along with the chicken, but you have to be sure to add enough broth or other liquid to cook the pasta. Or, you can keep a container of cooked penne pasta in your refrigerator for up to a week to use in your casseroles. Just be sure to under-cook it slightly if you decide to do this so it doesn't over-cook in the casserole dish. For extra nutrition and more of a sturdy pasta, choose whole wheat penne pasta.

Frozen Mixed Vegetables

Variety is the key when choosing this ingredient. If you load your freezer with an array of mixed vegetables, you'll be able to make chicken casseroles across a wide flavor palate. Choose stir-fry, soup and stew, winter blends, spring blends, or any variety that looks good. Then let those mixes inspire the rest of the casserole ingredients and flavorings. Oh, and don't forget to stock up on a few bags of frozen mixed berries or fruit, as well. Blueberries and pineapple are two great additions to chicken casserole recipes.

Seasoning Blends

A pantry full of little seasoning packets is the fastest and easiest way to turn plain chicken into tasty chicken in no time flat. You don't have to dig around in your spice rack trying to decide what to use, how much to use, and what goes with what. The prepackaged seasoning and flavor packets, jars, and tins have done the thinking for you. Just stock up on a good variety and let the flavors in the blend help you decide what sort of chicken casserole you want to create.

With these four simple ingredients in the pantry, you'll be able to have a satisfying chicken casserole in and out of the oven in no time at all. Once you have your chicken home from the store, just grab the first ingredient you can get your hands on and let the inspiration begin!

Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe Ideas

Creative Chicken Casseroles - The Low Carb Darlings

When you're starting a low carb diet, probably one of the foods most people turn to is chicken. Its "zero carbs, high protein" sales pitch hits the mark. Chicken is also reasonably priced and versatile.

But, with any diet, variety is important. Eating yet another grilled chicken breast with a side of asparagus spears is not going to keep the low carb dieter happy for long. Not long at all.

A person who is limiting carbs in their diet needs dishes that are filling. Carbs play a big role in filling our tummy, so the clever dieter has to find ways to replace the bad carbs they may have been eating with good carbs and plenty of protein.

So, how do we move chicken from that 'grilled boneless skinless chicken breast' on a plate to something that tastes like a real meal?  Get that chicken in a casserole where it can be a part of something filling, nutritious, delicious, and low carb.  Let's take a look at a few ideas for doing just that.

Asian Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

Think of your favorite stir-fry ingredients and get them together easily in a casserole. Layer thinly cut strips of chicken with shoestring style celery, carrots, and onions in a casserole dish. You might want to add some shredded cabbage, too. If you have bean sprouts and water chestnuts, add those, too.

 Whisk together some soy sauce, mustard, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and drizzle it over the ingredients. Cover and bake. Sprinkle some chopped almonds over the top before serving if you like. This dish is very filling as is or it can be served over rice if your diet allows.

Mexican Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

If you de-construct those tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, it's easy to create a chicken casserole that is flavorful, filling, and low carb. You start with the chicken, browning it if you like. Then layer in the low carb ingredients you love in your favorite Mexican foods. Choose poblamo peppers, red chilies, onions, celery, tomatoes, corn, tomato sauce, and cilantro.

 If allowed on your diet, add black beans, pinto beans, or other beans to the dish. Add cheese and you have a filling low carb chicken casserole with very little difficulty but a lot of taste. Again, you can serve this over rice or tortillas if allowed.

Italian Inspired Low Carb Chicken Casserole

When pasta is avoided because of a low carb diet, you may be tempted to avoid Italian dishes, as well. The good news is, there's a lot more to enjoy about Italian cooking than pasta. Fresh vegetables and tasty herbs are the keys to creating a chicken casserole that is flavorful enough to satisfy the low carb dieter.

Choose fresh zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and onion, to set the stage. Then add fresh basil or dried oregano flakes and top with fresh Mozzarella cheese. When the chicken is smothered in these ingredients, you won't even think about the pasta!

Being on a low carb diet shouldn't mean you have to limit your meals to plain old grilled chicken breasts over and over again. With these few suggestions, you can create filling delicious chicken casseroles that are still low carb, but never boring!

Use This Advice When Shopping For Casserole DIshes

Comparing Casserole Cookware - The Good And Not So Good

Being able to put dinner together quickly and easily is the reason why many of us love casserole recipes. You can layer or mix ingredients, throw them in the oven, and voila!, in about 45 minutes or less, dinner is served.

But, not all casserole pans, the actual dishes themselves, are created equal. Or, I should really say, not all casserole pans are suitable or desirable for every recipe. Let's take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of using specific casserole dishes.

Glass

These are the workhorses in many homes; the classic transparent casserole. Think about the assortment of 9x13 glass cookware you have. You may also have some round glass casseroles with covers.

The benefits to using these glass casseroles or baking dishes is that you can see what's cooking. If you make a lot of layered casserole recipes, it can also be pretty to see. They are relatively lightweight and usually quite inexpensive. You can also find lots of them at thrift stores. Because they're glass (non-reactive) you can also do marinading and baking in the same pan. These are also easy to clean in a dishwasher.

The drawbacks to these pans is they can break, not just by dropping them, but if you add cold liquid into a hot pan. They can develop small chips around the edges and the covers, and may develop stains that are difficult to remove, although not impossible.

Enameled Stoneware

There are some very pretty colors and designs when it comes to this category of casserole dishes. There are also some very pretty prices, so this is a nice category for gifts.

The benefits to using these casserole dishes is they are lovely, and go from oven to even the fanciest table. They also heat evenly and maintain the heat well. These are sturdy dishes, even though they do need some gentle handling, they won't chip or break as easily as a glass casserole.

The downside would have to be the price. Other than that, they are not very lightweight, which is good and bad. Their heavier weight is nice for cooking reasons but they are harder to lug around.

Glazed Stoneware

You'll find these casserole dishes to be very lovely, usually more earthy looking, and suitable for showing off. Think about a bean pot with a cover and you've got a general idea.

The benefits to using these lovely dishes is they heat evenly and go from oven to table beautifully. You can often find these dishes made by local potters. Once you buy one, you could easily end up with a collection.

The downside is they can break if not handled carefully. Many of them have hand painted designs, which means you really don't want to put them in the dishwasher. They may also be on the more expensive side, especially if you're just looking for a dish for everyday use.

Cast Iron

This covers a wide range of casserole options, from raw cast iron to the colorful enamel coated variety. They come in all sorts of sizes and prices.

The benefits to using one of these heavy duty pots for casseroles is they are suitable for browning the meats and veggies right in the same pot, before adding the remaining ingredients. Then the dish can go right into the oven. These pots are very versatile, almost indestructible, and hold heat well. And, did I say pretty?

The downsize may be the weight and the price. They are heavy, but that's part of what gives them their fantastic versatility. If you choose a less expensive raw cast iron pot, keep in mind that cooking acidic ingredients in a raw cast iron pot can harm the finish or patina.

 For that reason, you may want to choose an enamel coated cast iron pot. But, the price is going to jump up considerably. The good news is, there are companies that specialize in average priced cookware that have taken on the fancier cookware group and developed their own enameled cast iron pots to suit a tighter budget.

Stainless

When you look at a set of stainless pots and pans, you will often see a big pot with oven proof handles that is suitable for making casseroles. This is a very popular trend.

One reason we're seeing more of these stainless pot/casserole dishes is the versatility. This is the kind of pot that does double duty; you can boil water for spaghetti in it (which you can't do in a raw cast iron pot), brown meat and vegetables, build your casserole recipe, and throw it in the oven. If you don't have a huge pantry, it's nice to have everything rolled into one pot. They are also lightweight and almost indestructible.

You may get a ding or a slight scratch, but most good stainless cookware is extremely durable. Stainless is also non-reactive so you can put acidic food in there with no worries.

The downside is price. To get a nice pot with a heavy bottom, good conductivity, and oven-proof handles, you're going to spend a little money. But, don't forget; this one pot, if you choose the right one, can do everything from boil water to simmer chili to bake a casserole, and then some. It may be worth the investment.

Even a beginner cook knows there will come a time when they will want to make a beautiful, comforting, bubbly hot casserole. The right casserole vessel is almost as important as the right ingredients. Shop around, try a few different styles, then choose what works best for you. Most importantly, enjoy your casserole creations!