That’s-a Spicy Casserole-a!
April 11, 2011 at 9:15 pm 24 comments
Sometimes I think I was born during the wrong decade.
Don’t get me wrong, I rocked my giant 80′s hair with my DayGlo shorts and wayfarers.
You know you had them, too.
But sometimes when I hear Golden Ager’s talking about “the good old days” that were “a simpler time”, I often find myself nodding in agreement.
Case in point, I love to swing dance.
It’s not all that popular at da clubs these days, unfortunately.
The other throw back that I can’t get enough of? Casseroles.
Other than tuna casserole (it still kinda freaks me out) I’ve taken a crack at as many casseroles that I can think up.
But even though I like to wax nostalgic about retro cuisine, I love updating the classics.
Owing to the fact that my fridge is still pretty empty (still haven’t made a trip to Trader Joe’s…I’m starting to experience withdrawal DT’s) a throw-together casserole seemed like a perfect solution for dinner.
I don’t usually go with the classic Italian dishes, but I found myself with some roasted garlic chicken sausages, frozen bell peppers and an onion. The choice of cuisine seemed obvious. Hmm, what to do?
Spicy Sausage+Pepper Casserole
serves 4…although, don’t leave me alone around it or I’ll eat it all
3 chicken sausage links
1 medium onion, diced
1 small bell pepper (or 3/4 cup frozen) bell pepper, cut into strips
4 servings penne (or other short) pasta
1 T butter
1 T flour
~1/2 cup chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes+green chilis (I used Rotel)
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t dried basil
2/3 c shredded mozzarella
1/4 c panko bread crumbs
1 t olive oil
Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare pasta in salted water according to package directions.
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Once it begins to ripple, add onions with a sprinkle of salt. Saute until translucent. Add bell peppers. I used frozen strips, but feel free to use fresh or frozen in any color.
Once the veggies are soft, slice sausage on a bias and add to skillet. Then dump in a can of Rotel. I majorly love Rotel and I’m not even a fan of diced tomatoes in things. It’s spicy and amazing.
Season with oregano and basil. Once pasta is cooked, drain. While this is going, add butter to a skillet over medium-low heat to melt. Sprinkle in flour and whisk together to create a roux. Once the flour has cooked a bit, slowly whisk in chicken broth until it comes to a gravy-like consistency.
Turn off heat and add mozzarella. Stir to melt the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
Combine drained pasta, veggies/sausage and cheese sauce in a greased 9″x9″ casserole dish. Sprinkle with panko and bake for about 20 minutes until bubbling. Turn on broiler and watch carefully- you just want the top slightly browned.
This is not a retro casserole. This tastes like what would happen if an Italian sausage+pepper+onion sandwich met mac ‘n cheese met some Tex-Mex queso, fell in love, formed an unconventional marriage and had a baby.
Too much?
Casseroles, you have my heart.
If that’s not a meal for the generations, I don’t know what is.
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1.
Amy @ Second City Randomness | April 11, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Casseroles are my ultimate comfort food. Green bean, breakfast, potato… bring it!
And I have shades like that from my Rod Tuffcurls halloween costume. I plan to rock them poolside this summer. Or just the whole summer in general. Aren’t you glad you’re friends with me? ha
2.
Shanna, like Banana | April 11, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Well a mexi casserole just plain rocks. Period.
3.
Bee | April 11, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Oh yummm! I love Italian food, love Mexican food, this seems like a wonderful combination!
4.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 10:42 am
Gotta love fusion food!
5.
Katie | April 11, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Nothing wrong with a good old casserole. Unless you burn it. Which I just did tonight, coincidentally.
6.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 10:33 am
I almost burned this one, actually! One of the chicken sausages that was on the top of the casserole got pretty toasty.
7.
Leah @ Why Deprive? | April 11, 2011 at 10:43 pm
I love casseroles so much. They bring me back to my youth.
8.
greensandjeans | April 12, 2011 at 9:08 am
Casseroles are amazing. It makes a lot of food, it reheats well, and you get to dump cheese on top.
9.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 10:33 am
You had me at cheese.
10.
Paige @ Running Around Normal | April 12, 2011 at 10:01 am
I too am a lover of casseroles! They’re better the next day, and they usually provide lunch for the next several days! Looks good!
11.
Jen@jensdaily | April 12, 2011 at 10:09 am
I’ve never been a fan of canned diced tomatoes until I tried Rotel, now I add a can of those to anything I can!!!
12.
lowandbhold | April 12, 2011 at 10:46 am
I loooove casseroles. They’re one thing I can usually make without disaster.
Have you done a post about your artichoke cooking method?
13.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 10:58 am
Oh, it’s on its way, my friend. Just you wait!
14.
(what runs) Lori | April 12, 2011 at 11:48 am
That seriously looks and sounds so good. I love hodgepodge meals- cleaning out the fridge style, for sure. But yum! I bet the addition of the chicken sausage just made this one… oh and wine. Duh.
15.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Wine is a given.
16.
emily (a nutritionist eats) | April 12, 2011 at 1:40 pm
I need to make a casserole!
Do you like those frozen peppers from TJ’s?
17.
Megan | April 12, 2011 at 1:55 pm
I do! They worked really well in this casserole. I probably wouldn’t use them in a salad (or in place of raw peppers in general) but they cook up really well!
18.
Can You Stay for Dinner | April 13, 2011 at 10:45 am
“This tastes like what would happen if an Italian sausage+pepper+onion sandwich met mac ‘n cheese met some Tex-Mex queso, fell in love, formed an unconventional marriage and had a baby.”
I think we’re sisters. I also think this casserole would make my heart melt. I love you and I love your thinking, lady
ps: Those shades are bangin’
19.
Megan | April 14, 2011 at 10:08 am
Haha, you’re my sister from another mister, Andrea.
20.
Kimberly | April 13, 2011 at 4:09 pm
That casserole looks delish! When you have randoms laying around they either go into a crockpot or a casserole – and they usually turn out awesome!! I <3 me some italian food — I usually make a tortellini casserole – so goood!
P.S found your blog from RAN and just wanted to say hello – like the blog!
21.
Megan | April 14, 2011 at 10:07 am
Thank you for stopping by!
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