what is a casserole

A casserole is a dish that consists of a mix of different ingredients cooked together in the oven, typically in a baking dish with raised edges. It is a one-dish meal thats baked and served from a sturdy baking dish thats itself known as a casserole. Casseroles are usually made with a binding element, like dairy, that is incorporated throughout the dish, such as heavy cream, milk, or butter. The same pan is often used both for cooking and for serving. Casseroles can be simple, dump-and-mix dishes, as well as elaborate, old-fashioned, and multi-step recipes. They can be indulgent affairs rich with lots of cream, butter, and cheese. Most casseroles contain a protein (chicken, tuna, or hamburger), a vegetable or two (broccoli, peas, or green beans), a starch (rice, noodles, or a thick bread crust), and a sauce (usually a can of cream soup) .