Recipe: Mix and Match Casseroles

MIX AND MATCH CASSEROLE

CHOOSE ONE SAUCE MAKER:
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can Cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained

CHOOSE ONE VEGETABLE:
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can cut green Italian beans, drained
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can sweet peas, drained
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can asparagus cuts and tips, drained
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (13 1/2 ounce) can chopped spinach

CHOOSE ONE PASTA/RICE:
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup uncooked regular rice
4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
3 cups uncooked small pasta shells

CHOOSE ONE MEAT/FISH/POULTRY:
2 cans (6 ounces each) solid white tuna in spring water, drained and flaked
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups chopped cooked ham
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE EXTRAS (OPTIONAL):
1 (3 ounce)can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/4 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix

CHOOSE ONE OR TWO TOPPINGS:
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 cup round buttery crackers crushed
1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix

COMBINE:
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
with SAUCE MAKER choice above (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes).

STIR IN:
VEGETABLE
PASTA/RICE
MEAT/FISH/POULTRY
And, if desired, EXTRAS.

Spoon into a lightly greased 13x9-inch baking dish.

Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with Toppings; bake 10 more minutes.

Makes 6 servings.

VARIATIONS:
"Invent your own one-dish combinations, switching ingredients for variety. We stirred together the following mixtures and liked the easy preparation. Each casserole bakes 1 hour and 20 minutes, eliminating the need to precook the pasta or rice. But don't limit yourself to these taste-tested recipes -- experiment with different flavors and create family favorites."

CHICKEN CASSEROLE:
Cream of chicken soup, asparagus, rice, chicken, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs

HAM CASSEROLE:
Cream of celery soup, green beans, wide egg noodles, ham, garlic, 2 portions Swiss cheese

TURKEY CASSEROLE:
3 cans diced tomatoes, sweet peas, small pasta shells, turkey, onion, garlic, 2 portions mozzarella cheese, herb-seasoned stuffing mix or round buttery crackers

GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE:
Cheddar cheese soup, corn, elbow macaroni, ground beef, sliced mushrooms, green chiles, taco seasoning mix, 2
portions mozzarella cheese

MEATLESS CASSEROLE:
Diced tomatoes, corn, rice, ripe olives, 4 portions bell pepper, 4 portions celery, garlic, Parmesan cheese

TUNA CASSEROLE:
Cream of mushroom soup, sweet peas, elbow macaroni, tuna, sliced mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, breadcrumbs