The thought of pasta casserole brings images of lasagna or macaroni and cheese to most people’s minds. While these are, in fact, two of the most popular types of pasta casseroles, there are many more
recipes that incorporate lovely pasta with a wide range of ingredients to form dishes that are simple enough to serve on a weeknight or complex enough to be reserved for holidays or special occasions. The flavors can range from traditional
Italian fare to spicy Mexican cuisine to American comfort food. Pasta casseroles can be stuffed full of meat, they can blend the flavors of poultry, meat or pork with fresh vegetables, or they can exclude the meat and become beautiful
vegan or vegetarian dishes. The mild and versatile nature of pasta opens it up to endless casserole possibilities.
One of the key ingredients that will determine the style of a pasta casserole is the type and amount of sauce and seasoning that are incorporated into the dish. A healthy helping of tomato or bolognaise sauce is more reminiscent of Italy
while spicy chili powder or taco seasonings are definitely suggestive of Mexico. Brown gravy is a favorite in American recipes and can soak into the pasta to give the dish a more intense flavor with every bite. Béchamel sauce is
a key component of Greek pastitsio while the Japanese are known for combining orange juice, soy sauce, wine, oil and honey for to form a sweet sauce that tastes great in their orange chicken and pasta casserole. Some pasta casseroles contain
no sauce at all but instead use stock or wine for the liquid component and rely more heavily on the flavors of high-quality ingredients to bring the casserole to life. Sauced or not, pasta casseroles are diverse and delicious additions
to any table. |
