Non-spicy casserole ideas

[klpca]

My friend's 85 year old mom is recovering at home from a multi week stint in the hospital and we are preparing meals for her (mom) for the next few weeks. She has requested non spicy casseroles that can be reheated. The non spicy part is throwing me off. Does anyone have some good recipes that would fit the bill? Thanks!

 

[sue1947]

My friend's 85 year old mom is recovering at home from a multi week stint in the hospital and we are preparing meals for her (mom) for the next few weeks. She has requested non spicy casseroles that can be reheated. The non spicy part is throwing me off. Does anyone have some good recipes that would fit the bill? Thanks!

I cook for my 96 year old mother who also doesn't like much spice. Any spicy casserole is likely a good option without the spice. Ex: lasagna with hamburger instead of hot Italian sausage; different but still tasty. Chili with meat sauce is still mighty tasty without the chili powder. spaghetti sauce is another good option.
Soup that is thicker becomes a stew and isn't so messy to eat. The minestrone needed something and there were 2 hotdogs in the freezer so I threw those in; she really liked it. Now I have to try to remember what else I put in it. Beef stew with or without potatoes (the latter don't freeze as well, so I make the rest and she puts over a potato she bakes in the microwave).

 

[JudyH]

Not homemade but we love Trader Joe’s Chicken Pot Pie in the refrigerator section. Tastes homemade.

 

[DaveNV]

I just made this Chicken Ala King a few days ago, and served it over egg noddles. I used Costco rotisserie chicken. It's very good, but kind of bland. It'd be great for someone who doesn't want a spicy meal.

When reheating the leftovers today, I added Cream of Chicken soup, some Old Bay, celery weed, and salt & pepper. It's much better (to our taste) with the addition of these extra ingredients.

Dave

Classic Chicken a la King

Chicken a la King is quick, easy, and loaded with comfort. Our velvety sauce is made from scratch and can be served over rice, pasta, toast, or biscuits.

thestayathomechef.com

 

[Passepartout]

You can get just the (cut off) rotisserie chicken at Costco and build enchiladas- or something similar with a cheesy cream sauce. Taylor make it as bland as you or she likes.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Mac and cheese. Crustless quiche. Tuna casserole. Chicken Divan.

 

[DrQ]

For substituting spicy Italian sausage, use sweet Italian sausage which does not have the heat.

Mild vs Sweet Italian Sausage: What's The Difference? - Miss Vickie

Mild vs Sweet Italian Sausage: As already mentioned above, there are different categories of Italian sausages that are readily available.

missvickie.com

 

[klpca]

Thanks so much! I had already committed to mac & cheese and then I realized I was stumped after that. I needed your ideas on how to adapt things to fit with this dietary restriction. Both of my friend's parents have done an ICU spin in the past month. My friend is overwhelmed. At least now I can help her without having to pester her for suggestions. Your help is much appreciated.

Btw, her parents own developer purchased Wyndham accounts. Any pointers to relevant threads would be helpful. I am sure that the next step is dealing with their timeshares,

 

[nomoretslt]

Ham and potato casserole (lots of recipes if you google). If you don’t have a leftover ham, you can have your deli slice thick slices of deli ham and then you can cut into chunks.
when I make lasagna, I make meatballs that I simmer in the sauce for about 90 minutes. Then I mash the meatballs with the ricotta cheese. I then layer: sauce, noodles, sauce, meat/ricotta, shredded mozzarella. Repeat. Highly recommend the No boil lasagne noodles. Ronzoni and Bariella make them. Italian husband approved.
You are a good friend to help out this way. I’m sure your friend is stressed to the max.

 

[heathpack]

I have a Cooks Illustrated cookbook called The Best Make Ahead Recipe. There is a chapter of dishes that can be made ahead and frozen. Not just dishes that freeze well, but an optimized version of the recipe for the freezer. We made some killer individual Turkey pot pies after Thanksgiving and only have one left.

Let me know if you would like any of these recipes. I’ll list the non spicy ones.

Baked ziti
Baked Mac and cheese
Chicken pot pie
Beef pot pie
Shepherds Pie

 

[PigsDad]

Google "tater tot hotdish recipe minnesota". That is a legend in the north country, where making something "spicy" entails sprinkling it w/ black pepper. The hotdish (or "casserole" for you non-Minnesota types) is the ultimate comfort dish, tasty, very easy to make, and freezes/reheats very well. This dish was a staple for me growing up, and I still make it every once in a while (and my daughter has become a fan of it well).

Kurt

 

[MULTIZ321]

Minnesota Hot Dish

Minnesota Hot Dish

Our Minnesota Hot Dish is a meat and potato lovers dream! This hot dish recipe with hamburger also has potato tots on top and veggies inside. Talk about hearty! The best part? This comforting hot dish recipe bakes up in under 40 minutes, which makes it the perfect busy weeknight dinner. (And, in...

www.mrfood.com

Richard

 

[SmithOp]

I'm a big fan of Jacques Pepin, he has lots of short video recipes on Facebook or Youtube. I make his quiche and you can use any combination of meat, cheese and veg. Very basic ingredients with salt and pepper. You can also substitute hash browns for the crust and it's a breakfast quiche.

I make the same cheesy pasta with rotisserie chicken as DaveNV in my Instapot. It's better reheated from the fridge.

 

[mentalbreak]

Google "tater tot hotdish recipe minnesota". That is a legend in the north country, where making something "spicy" entails sprinkling it w/ black pepper. The hotdish (or "casserole" for you non-Minnesota types) is the ultimate comfort dish, tasty, very easy to make, and freezes/reheats very well. This dish was a staple for me growing up, and I still make it every once in a while (and my daughter has become a fan of it well).

Kurt

I loved this growing up but it is just too bland for my tastes now and I haven’t found a combination of spices that we enjoy in it.

This “hot chicken salad casserole” has been a go-to that we have made for many older parents or toddler families.

I do usually add the diced up velveeta when making for others. I also have subbed the minced onion for a mixture of diced onion and celery - microwaved in water for 2 minutes to soften and then drained. I also skip the potato chips if it won’t be eaten in one sitting.

Original recipe:
2 cups cooked chicken breast (chunked)
2 T grated or minced onion
1 1/2 cup cooked rice
1 10 oz can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
3/4 cup Hellmans mayo
1/4 cup water
1/4 lb-ish of velveeta chunks
Crushed potato chips

Mix all except chips together, put in greased 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. Crumble chips on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Recipe from friend says “this freezes well before baking; reserve chips until time to bake”. I’ve never tried that because I’m not sure the mayo would really freeze ok…

 

[mdurette]

What about Shepard pie?

 

[klpca]

I have a Cooks Illustrated cookbook called The Best Make Ahead Recipe. There is a chapter of dishes that can be made ahead and frozen. Not just dishes that freeze well, but an optimized version of the recipe for the freezer. We made some killer individual Turkey pot pies after Thanksgiving and only have one left.

Let me know if you would like any of these recipes. I’ll list the non spicy ones.

Baked ziti
Baked Mac and cheese
Chicken pot pie
Beef pot pie
Shepherds Pie

Your post reminded me that I too have cookbooks in my kitchen. I haven't used them in years because my tastes have changed, but they probably have perfect recipes for this purpose. And also it reminded me that I haven't made Shepherds Pie in ages, and it's a family favorite.

 

[klpca]

Google "tater tot hotdish recipe minnesota". That is a legend in the north country, where making something "spicy" entails sprinkling it w/ black pepper. The hotdish (or "casserole" for you non-Minnesota types) is the ultimate comfort dish, tasty, very easy to make, and freezes/reheats very well. This dish was a staple for me growing up, and I still make it every once in a while (and my daughter has become a fan of it well).

Kurt

I am completely intrigued by this dish and I'm going to make it either for my friend's mom or us (my husband was born in Minneapolis but moved to CA in the 60's). In fact when I mentioned this recipe to him his response was "tater tot casserole? That sounds good"! You can take the boy out of Minnesota but love of comfort food is forever.

 

[Tia]

Goulash
2 c macaroni prepared
1lb hamburger browned w/onion
1qt canned tomatoes diced
1 can tomato soup
1 cup celery
season w/salt & Pepper

Bake 350º for 50-60 minutes

I add minced garlic. I'm originally from Minnesota grew up with this and the tater tot casserole, which I still make.

 

[b2bailey]

I cook for my 96 year old mother who also doesn't like much spice. Any spicy casserole is likely a good option without the spice. Ex: lasagna with hamburger instead of hot Italian sausage; different but still tasty. Chili with meat sauce is still mighty tasty without the chili powder. spaghetti sauce is another good option.
Soup that is thicker becomes a stew and isn't so messy to eat. The minestrone needed something and there were 2 hotdogs in the freezer so I threw those in; she really liked it. Now I have to try to remember what else I put in it. Beef stew with or without potatoes (the latter don't freeze as well, so I make the rest and she puts over a potato she bakes in the microwave).

I am impressed to imagine being 96 and able to do her own potatoe!

 

[isisdave]

I don't even know the name of this, but I've been making it for 50 years. Surprised not to see it above.

Cook a box of stuffing mix in the casserole dish according to microwave directions.
Add a bunch of chopped chicken, a can of cream of chicken soup, and frozen peas.
If you like (DW does, I don't) cover with crumbled chips of some kind.
Put in 350 oven for 25 minutes or so.

You can add spice or not, and vary the meat, the soup, the vegetables, and the chips, not to mention the proportions.

 

[noreenkate]

I know it’s old school but ya can’t beat the Campbell’s casserole dishes for things like this…Our household has a mix of diet restrictions - who’s got high sugar, low fat & sodium…

I sub out most of the soups with the heart healthier version use MrsDash instead of salt ect…

Casseroles - Campbell Soup Company

These casserole and baked creations are simply outstanding! With dinners this good, you’ll come back to them again and again.

www.campbells.com

This is a family favorite

Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie - Campbell Soup Company

Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie only takes 10 minutes to put together and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand. The filling is extra decadent because it's made with Cream of Potato Soup, which becomes a rich and creamy sauce as it bakes. Fluffy, golden-brown biscuits on top make...

www.campbells.com

 

[rapmarks]

I have never been able to eat spicy foods. Until I read these posts, I never knew that people put hot sausage in lasagna.