A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make a baked potato casserole.
A baked potato casserole is a dish that uses baked potatoes and has been cooked in a casserole dish. In addition to these requirements, baked potato casserole is open to a wide variety of ingredients and variations. Common ingredients include meat and vegetables, plus some type of sauce, be it sour cream, cheese, or even alcohol, to moisten the dish. Although the term casserole originated in France, it is a common recipe for cultures around the world.
Potatoes.
The word casserole comes from medieval France, but dates back to ancient Rome and Greece. In modern usage, it is used to describe a meal prepared in a saucepan, which is then placed in the oven and cooked. This includes a wide variety of dishes, from lasagna to meatloaf. Rice, pasta, and other forms of potatoes are used in many dishes, instead of baked potatoes.
Bacon is often included in baked potato casseroles.
Baked potatoes are a wide variety of potatoes that are washed and then cooked for a long time without peeling. When wrapped in foil, baked potatoes take about three hours to simmer. They are then split open and covered with butter, cheese, or bacon. There are many different toppings. Baked potatoes are prized because, by keeping the skin on during cooking, the potato retains many of its nutrients and flavor.
Ham can be used to make a baked potato casserole.
Both qualities are important for baked potato casserole. In order for the baked potatoes to cook without burning the rest of the casserole, they are baked twice. This means that the potatoes are baked in the oven until partially or nearly cooked and then placed whole in the pan. The other ingredients are then added to the potatoes or mixed together and this dish is cooked a second time in the oven. If the baked potatoes are cut up and mixed with the other ingredients, the potato skins are usually kept in the pan as a bottom or middle layer.
Salmon, which goes well with white sauce, can be used to make a baked potato casserole.
For some people, a baked potato casserole with just baked potatoes would be boring. Other ingredients add flavor and texture. Meats often paired with baked potatoes include ham, bacon, turkey, and beef. Tuna and salmon can also be used. Other vegetables that work well include carrots, broccoli, and spinach.
Sauces are used for two reasons: first, they add flavor and second, they help keep the baked potato casserole moist. Tuna and salmon go well with white sauce, while beef and pork can be eaten with red sauce. Other sauces that can be used with baked potato casserole include beverages such as wine or vegetable sauces and broth.