Undercook Your Casserole Pasta And Thank Us Later

Whether you opt for a tuna noodle bake, corn chili pie, or baked mac and cheese casserole, who doesn't love a hearty comforting meal conveniently served in just one baking dish? Most of us, at one point or another, have consumed a casserole or two. While the word "casserole" is actually French for pan, the term has evolved over the years to be defined as any recipe baked and served in one large shallow dish. These convenient meals didn't make their debut in the U.S. until the 1950s when American families sought out creative ways to stretch their hard-earned dollars by mixing food they had on hand to make warm, satisfying meals.

Skipping ahead to the present and families far and wide are still bringing their favorite casserole dishes to company potlucks, holiday parties, and weekend family gatherings. What is the general makeup of a tried and true casserole dish you wonder? Most baked one-pan meals contain some form of protein, vegetables, and often a dairy component or two like cream-based soup or cheese. Casseroles also have one hearty ingredient that brings the entire dish together such as potatoes, pasta, or rice. Before you pre-cook another pound of pasta for baked cheeseburger pie, you may want to consider an alternative for the recommended cook time.

If you plan on making baked ziti anytime soon, you need to know the ins and outs of achieving the perfect texture when it comes to keeping your pasta bake from turning to mush. The golden rule for cooking pasta if you plan on baking it further in the oven is to boil the noodles a few minutes less than the recommended amount of time. When tested, the noodles should be firmer than al dente with almost a slight crunch. If you plan on baking your casserole at a later time, rinsing noodles in cold water is recommended. By rinsing, you not only prevent the noodles from continuing to cook from residual heat, but you want all the ingredients of your recipe to be roughly the same temperature before assembling. This assures a moist, evenly cooked dish.

Sure enough, if you're bored with the par-boiling method, you can try adding a toasty flavor to your dish by slightly frying those partially cooked noodles in a skillet. If you want to skip boiling altogether, you can attempt Cook the Story's no-boil pasta bake, which includes cooking pasta from a box directly in the oven. However you decide to prepare your pasta, make sure to account for the extended cook time in the oven. Furthermore, pasta is not the only ingredient to consider when crafting the perfect casserole. There are a number of casserole-baking tips worth following.

As you compile an epic list of easy casseroles to prepare for breakfast, dinner, and everything in between, you may want to keep a few of these pointers in the forefront of your mind to assure satisfying results. First and foremost, always cook your protein of choice before adding that ground beef or chicken to your recipe's other ingredients. Moist raw meat can lead to casseroles with uneven texture or even worse, undercooked portions. 

Vegetables are another factor to consider. While some home cooks may encounter zero problems when adding frozen veggies to their favorite easy-bake dinners, some culinary experts advise against using frozen produce. Founder of Healthy Recipes, Vered DeLeeuw, explains how frozen vegetables release a significant amount of water when cooked, which may change the overall consistency of your casserole (per Martha Stewart). You're better off blanching or roasting raw, fresh veggies. If you need more freezer space and happen to have a box of frozen spinach, just make sure to thaw the contents and squeeze out any residual liquid before adding the greens to your dish.

Beyond keeping a watchful eye on the main elements, make sure you're constantly checking the seasoning as you assemble your casserole. However, the one step you should never skimp on is the addition of a tasty signature topping. As long as you cook your casserole's ingredients intermittently beforehand, and season well, you are on your way to one delicious, convenient meal.