Pick a potato casserole

Southern Living, Oct 2003 by Poellnitz, Vicki A, Hubbard, Teresa, Mathews, Terri, Mason, Brenda Austin

Speed meal preparation by starting in the frozen food section of your local grocery store. We've used frozen hash browns and mashed potatoes to streamline this collection of recipes. Try one or all of these great dishes. They include a breakfast or brunch casserole, two versions of a side dish, and a kid-friendly one-dish meal. We think these versatile casseroles will become permanent additions to your recipe files. VICKI A. POELLNITZ

BEEFY POTATO CASSEROLE

MAKES 5 SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN., COOK: 10 MIN., BAKE: 30 MIN.

Teresa's potato tots casserole recipe inspired this version, which is like a shepherd's pie.

1 (22-ounce) package frozen mashed potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 pound lean ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

1 (11-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1/2 cup milk

PREPARE mashed potatoes according to package directions. Stir in butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.

COOK ground beef, onion, and seasoned pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain and return to skillet. Add 1 cup cheese, corn, soup, milk, and remaining '/2 teaspoon salt, stirring well.

POUR beef mixture into a lightly greased 13- ? 9-inch baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over beef mixture.

BAKE at 350[degrees] for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese, and bake 10 more minutes. TERESA HUBBARD

RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA

CHEESY HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., BAKE: 55 MIN.

1 (30-ounce) package frozen shredded hash browns

1 cup shredded colby-Jack cheese

1 (5-ounce) package shredded Swiss cheese

1 large onion, minced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 1/2 cups milk

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1/2 cup beef broth

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

COMBINE hash browns and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl.

STIR together milk and next 5 ingredients; pour over hash brown mixture. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

BAKE at 350[degrees] for 45 to 55 minutes or until golden. TERRI MATHEWS

LEEDS, ALABAMA

PEPPER JACK-POTATO CASSEROLE: Omit colby-Jack and Swiss cheeses, onion, and beef broth. Substitute 1 (8ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese with peppers, shredded. Proceed as directed. Bake at 350[degrees] for 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly.

SAUSAGE-HASH BROWN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

MAKES 10 SERVINGS

PREP: 30 MIN., BAKE: 40 MIN.

1 pound mild ground pork sausage

1 pound hot ground pork sausage

1 (30-ounce) package frozen hash browns

1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

6 large eggs

2 cups milk

COOK sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well.

PREPARE hash browns according to package directions, using 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.

STIR together hash browns, sausage, and cheese. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

WHlSK together eggs, milk, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pour evenly over potato mixture.

BAKE at 350[degrees] for 35 to 40 minutes.

BRENDA AUSTIN MASON

AUSTIN, TEXAS

TERESA HUBBARD

RUSSELLVILLE, ALABAMA

BRENDA AUSTIN MASON

AUSTIN, TEXAS