INTRODUCTION

Casserole: The word alone is bound to conjure up memories of meals past. Casseroles, after all, are the one category of food that nourishes us in times of both joy and sadness—the birth of a new baby, a church potluck, Thanksgiving dinner, the death of a loved one. They’re the comfort food equivalent to Southern hospitality.

The best casseroles are bubbly, gooey, creamy, and cheesy, and are appreciated as much for their convenience as their versatility. You can create a casserole from just about anything—whether you build it using leftovers in the fridge or follow your grandmother’s famous lasagna recipe—just toss together a few veggies, a starch, and perhaps a meat, and you have a complete meal. But for those many reasons we love the casserole, the same qualities have also given them a bad rap. Countless recipes call for canned “cream of something” soups and over-processed foods, and casseroles are often seen as heavy and unhealthy. The good news is there is a whole new breed of casseroles, and they’re hearty and healthy, simple and sophisticated.

In One-Dish Wonders, “casserole” isn’t code for getting out the can opener—each recipe is a thoughtful combination of ingredients gathered from the garden and the grocery store. Casseroles can be a bubbly breakfast bake of eggs, vitamin-packed collard greens, and creamy grits dotted with white Cheddar; a rich shrimp risotto full of fresh garlic and thyme; a warm lasagna layered with zucchini, mushrooms, and red and yellow bell peppers; or mini cobblers filled with berries, baked, and served in small skillets.

Just as a great meal brings special people together, a great casserole brings special ingredients together. One-Dish Wonders combines the best classic and current culinary trends in a casserole cookbook that shows you how to make them, bake them, serve them, and even swap them.