Best 5 Early California Casserole Recipes

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With its delectable flavors and rich history, the Early California Casserole is a culinary masterpiece that embodies the vibrant culinary heritage of the Golden State. This classic dish, originating from the early 1900s, showcases an enticing combination of tender chicken, savory vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful sauce, all harmoniously blended together in a delightful casserole. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on the journey to discover the best recipe for this iconic dish promises an adventure filled with tantalizing aromas, satisfying flavors, and a captivating exploration of California's culinary roots.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CALIFORNIA CASSEROLE



California Casserole image

This colorful casserole is named after the West Coast, but it always brings appreciative oohs and aahs when I serve it to fellow Texans. It's compatible with a variety of side dishes.-Hope LaShier, Amarillo, Texas.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 12-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 pounds ground beef
1 medium green pepper, chopped
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (14-3/4 ounces) cream-style corn
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) whole mushrooms, drained
1 jar (4 ounces) chopped pimientos, drained
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1-1/2 teaspoons celery salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces wide egg noodles, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir in the next 11 ingredients. Add noodles. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake 50 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 248 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 658mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 17g protein.

CALIFORNIA VEGETABLE BAKE



California Vegetable Bake image

California vegetables (broccoli, carrots and cauliflower) covered with easy cream and cheese sauce topped with Ritz® crackers. Very easy and always a big hit.

Provided by TERILY

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables

Time 45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 (20 ounce) bags California-blend frozen vegetables
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup melted butter
1 sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add frozen vegetables, cover, and steam until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a baking dish.
  • Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, and Cheddar cheese in a bowl; pour over vegetables. Stir crackers and melted butter in another bowl and sprinkle over vegetables.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 471 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 54.7 mg, Fat 39 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 8.5 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 429.2 mg, Sugar 1.7 g

EARLY CALIFORNIA CASSEROLE



EARLY CALIFORNIA CASSEROLE image

Categories     Cheese     Chicken     Bake     Dinner     Casserole/Gratin

Yield 4-6 People

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups Spanish Rice (mix; Rice-A-Roni, 2 boxes)
2 can Stewed Tomatoes; chopped (if called for in the spanish rice mix)
2 Chicken Breasts; chopped or shreded
2 small cans Green Chilies
1 pound Monterey Jack Cheese; grated
4 cups Sour Cream

Steps:

  • Boil Chicken Breasts until cooked Prepare Spanish Rice mix according to directions (using the Stewed Tomatoes, if called for) Shred and/or chop the Chicken Breast. Mix Chicken Breast and Spanish Rice together, salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 F Lightly spary casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray (or your prefered method of non-sticking the dish) Lay 1/3 of the Chicken - Rice mixture in the casserole dish. Follow this with 1/3 of the Sour Cream, then 1/3 of the Green Chilies, and finally 1/4 of the Monterey Jack Cheese. Repeat this to make 3 series of the layers, covering the top with the remaining cheese. Place in 350 F oven until browned over the top (about 30 minutes)

CALIFORNIA CASSEROLE



California Casserole image

This casserole has always been one of my favorites with its combination of tender braised meat in a soup-based gravy, seasoned biscuit topping and toasted, buttery bread crumbs is mouthwatering. The one ingredient that gives this casserole its unique taste is the addition of poultry seasoning to the biscuit topping, but don't let it scare you into thinking it's a mistake in the recipe or that it will taste strange, because neither is true. I'm certain this is one of those casseroles that will become a comfort food at your house, just as it has at ours. My mother made this quite often when we were little and I know she got the recipe from a magazine many, many years ago, but I couldn't tell you which one. It doesn't have anything fancy in it, but it is good enough that company would really enjoy it. Most likely if you have some sort of creamed soup (any flavor will work well) in your cupboard and some sort of stew meat, a small round steak, or a sirloin steak in your fridge of freezer, you will have the rest of the ingredients. There are a few steps and a little involved in making this but there's nothing tricky about the preparation.

Provided by Casinonut

Categories     Meat

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb beef round steak, cut into cubes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cups water
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1 cup biscuit mix
2/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 slices bread, cubed (or crumbs made in a food processor or blender)
1/4 cup of melted margarine

Steps:

  • Salt and pepper the cubed meat.
  • Dredge the meat in the flour and shake off excess.
  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a 10-inch skillet.
  • Saute the chopped onion in the oil until translucent. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
  • Saute the floured meat in the remaining oil in the skillet until brown, stirring to ensure all sides have browned evenly.
  • Add the sautéed onions and the water to the meat and scrape the bottom of the skillet to get up all the browned bits of meat and flour.
  • Cover the skillet and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes until the meat is tender. Adding water as necessary to keep the meat from cooking dry and scorching.
  • Add the soup to the meat mixture, adding more water if necessary to achieve a soup consistency, combining well, and heat until boiling.
  • Transfer the meat/soup mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Mix the biscuit mix, the poultry seasoning and the milk together. It should be a thinner consistency than biscuit dough but thicker than pancake batter. Adjust the milk as needed to achieve the right consistency.
  • Transfer the biscuit batter to the top of the meat mixture in the casserole dish.
  • Prepare the bread cubes (or crumbs) by combining with the melted butter and mix well so that the cubes are completely coated.
  • Top the biscuit mixture with the the bread crumbs.
  • Bake in a 375°F oven for 30-40 minutes or until the biscuit dough is baked throughout and browned well.

CALIFORNIA CASSEROLE



California Casserole image

This is an old recipe from my grandmothers collection that I've updated for myself with lower fat options.

Provided by Miz Lily

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 50m

Yield 1 13 x 9" pan, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb ground turkey (I use 93% lean)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove, minced (or garlic powder)
3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
6 ounces tomato paste
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1 cup light sour cream
2 1/2 ounces black olives, drained (sliced)
3/4 cup green onion, sliced
8 ounces egg noodles (or lasagna noodles)
1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • In a large skillet combine turkey, salt, sugar, tomato sauce and tomato paste. Bring to a boil stirring to break up the meat. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  • Combine cream cheese, sour cream, olives and green onions in a bowl, set aside.
  • Coat a 13 x 9" baking dish with cooking spray. Place 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of the dish. Layer noodles, sauce, and cream cheese mixture. (I've only ever made this with egg noodles, which only makes one layer of each item. If you use lasagna noodles, repeat layering until noodles are gone.) Top entire casserole with shredded cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Makes 12, 3x4 inch servings.

Tips:

  • Select fresh and high-quality ingredients: Using fresh vegetables, tender meats, and flavorful spices will elevate the taste of your casserole.
  • Choose a suitable casserole dish: Opt for a dish that is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients without overcrowding and is oven-safe.
  • Layer the ingredients thoughtfully: Arrange the ingredients in distinct layers to create visual appeal and ensure even cooking.
  • Season each layer: Don't forget to season each layer of the casserole with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices to enhance the overall flavor.
  • Use a flavorful liquid: Incorporate a flavorful liquid such as broth, milk, or cream to add moisture and richness to the casserole.
  • Top with a crispy crust: Consider adding a crispy topping like crushed crackers, bread crumbs, or shredded cheese to create a golden-brown crust.
  • Bake at the right temperature: Follow the recipe's recommended baking temperature and time to ensure the casserole is cooked thoroughly without overcooking.

Conclusion:

Early California Casserole is a versatile and comforting dish that showcases the diverse culinary heritage of California. With its layers of flavorful ingredients, creamy sauce, and crispy topping, this casserole is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you're hosting a casual gathering or looking for a comforting meal on a busy weeknight, this recipe is sure to satisfy. Experimenting with different ingredients and cooking techniques will allow you to create your own unique variations, making this casserole a staple in your recipe repertoire. So, gather your loved ones, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of early California.

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