Trace Adkins Weeknight Casserole: A Hearty & Delicious Dinner in Under an Hour
Are you looking for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than Trace Adkins’ Weeknight Casserole! This comforting dish is packed with flavor, simple to prepare, and can be on the table in under an hour. While the exact original recipe from Trace Adkins himself might be elusive (often passed down through community cookbooks and shared experiences), this adaptation captures the spirit of a hearty, Southern-inspired casserole perfect for busy weeknights.
This casserole is a testament to resourceful cooking, using readily available ingredients to create a meal that’s both filling and flavorful. It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your weeknight rotation.
## What Makes This Casserole So Great?
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal prep time and uses simple techniques, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Family-Friendly:** The combination of meat, vegetables, and cheese is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even for picky eaters.
* **Versatile:** Feel free to substitute ingredients based on your preferences and what you have on hand.
* **Hearty and Filling:** This casserole is a complete meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
* **Budget-Friendly:** The ingredients are relatively inexpensive, making this a great option for feeding a family on a budget.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage):** The foundation of our casserole. Choose lean ground beef to reduce grease. You can also substitute with ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
* **1 medium onion, chopped:** Adds depth of flavor and aroma.
* **1 green bell pepper, chopped:** Provides a touch of sweetness and crunch.
* **1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup:** Creates a creamy and flavorful sauce. You can substitute with cream of chicken or cream of celery soup if preferred.
* **1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (such as Rotel), undrained:** Adds a kick of spice and acidity. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
* **1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained:** Provides sweetness and texture. You can use frozen corn as well.
* **1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained:** Adds an extra layer of heat.
* **2 cups cooked rice:** Long-grain rice, brown rice, or even leftover rice will work well. Make sure the rice is cooked before adding it to the casserole.
* **2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese):** Adds a cheesy, melty topping. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend would also be delicious.
* **1/2 teaspoon garlic powder:** Enhances the savory flavors.
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper:** Adds a touch of spice.
* **Optional toppings:** Sour cream, salsa, chopped cilantro, green onions.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Trace Adkins Weeknight Casserole:
**1. Preheat Your Oven:**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the casserole cooks evenly and the cheese melts beautifully.
**2. Brown the Ground Beef:**
* In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink.
* Drain off any excess grease. This step is crucial to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy.
**3. Sauté the Vegetables:**
* Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
* Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. This brings out their natural sweetness and flavor.
**4. Combine the Ingredients:**
* In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef mixture, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained), corn (drained), chopped green chiles (drained), cooked rice, garlic powder, and black pepper.
* Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. This will create a cohesive and flavorful casserole.
**5. Assemble the Casserole:**
* Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Greasing the dish prevents the casserole from sticking and makes it easier to clean up.
* Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Make sure the cheese covers the entire surface for optimal melting and browning.
**6. Bake the Casserole:**
* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
* The internal temperature of the casserole should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s cooked through.
**7. Let it Rest:**
* Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the casserole to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
**8. Serve and Enjoy:**
* Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, salsa, chopped cilantro, or green onions. A dollop of sour cream adds a cool and tangy contrast to the savory casserole.
## Tips and Variations
* **Spice it up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the ground beef mixture for extra heat.
* **Add more vegetables:** Incorporate other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or carrots for added nutrition and flavor. Sauté them along with the onion and bell pepper.
* **Use different proteins:** Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or shredded cooked chicken. You can even use leftover rotisserie chicken.
* **Make it vegetarian:** Omit the meat and add more vegetables or beans for a vegetarian version. Black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans would all work well.
* **Try different cheeses:** Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend.
* **Add a crunchy topping:** Top the casserole with crushed tortilla chips, bread crumbs, or fried onions for added texture.
* **Make it ahead of time:** Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Freeze for later:** Bake the casserole, let it cool completely, and then freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
* **Customize the rice:** Use leftover rice, or cook rice in chicken broth for added flavor.
* **Don’t have canned soup?** Make a simple white sauce with butter, flour, and milk, then add seasonings to mimic the flavor of cream of mushroom soup.
## Serving Suggestions
Trace Adkins’ Weeknight Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your dining experience:
* **Side Salad:** Serve with a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to add freshness and balance to the richness of the casserole.
* **Garlic Bread:** Warm garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment to soak up the flavorful sauce.
* **Cornbread:** A slice of cornbread adds a touch of Southern charm and complements the flavors of the casserole.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a healthy and nutritious side dish.
* **Coleslaw:** Creamy coleslaw provides a refreshing and tangy contrast to the warm casserole.
## Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving)
* Calories: 400-500
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
*Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*
## Why This Recipe Works
The beauty of Trace Adkins’ Weeknight Casserole lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It’s a recipe that encourages you to use what you have on hand and to customize it to your family’s preferences. The combination of protein, vegetables, and cheese creates a balanced and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
The condensed cream of mushroom soup acts as a binder, holding the casserole together and adding a creamy texture. The diced tomatoes and green chilies provide a touch of acidity and spice, which complements the richness of the ground beef and cheese. The corn adds sweetness and texture, while the rice provides a hearty base.
This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Got some leftover cooked rice? Throw it in the casserole! Have some vegetables that are about to go bad? Chop them up and add them to the mix! This casserole is a resourceful and delicious way to reduce food waste.
## A Note on the “Real” Recipe
It’s important to acknowledge that finding the precise, original Trace Adkins’ Weeknight Casserole recipe might be a challenge. Recipes like these often evolve through generations, shared orally or jotted down in community cookbooks with slight variations. This adaptation aims to capture the essence of a classic Southern-inspired casserole, using the general understanding of the ingredients and flavors typically associated with such a dish. Feel free to further adapt it to your own tastes and preferences!
## Conclusion
Trace Adkins’ Weeknight Casserole is a comforting and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s easy to make, family-friendly, and versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a hearty and satisfying dinner that everyone will love. This recipe is a true testament to the power of simple ingredients and resourceful cooking.
Whether you follow this recipe exactly or use it as a starting point for your own culinary creations, we hope you enjoy making and eating this delicious and comforting casserole! Don’t forget to share your creations with us in the comments below!