KITCHEN: Pot Luck Pleaser Casserole

Potatoes suitable for scalloped, purple, Yukon gold, russet

 Pot Luck Pleaser Casserole 

• Sliced potatoes, 6-8 (your choice varieties)
• 1-2 carrots, sliced or grated
• 1-2 stalks celery, sliced, thinly
• onions, minced, dried or fresh (I use dried)
• 1/4 tsp celery seed (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley (optional)
• beef gravy (either leftover homemade or one can) (optional)
• condensed mushroom soup (one can)
• grated cheese

Grated carrot, sliced celery, dried minced onion, seasonings

 After preparing the potatoes, it helps to "pre-cook" them, either in the microwave (without water) or on top of the stove.  Cook until a fork will just barely go through the potato.  In the microwave--check after 5 mins. on high.
(If cooking atop the stove, make sure to drain the cooking water immediately, as the potatoes will continue to cook)
While the potatoes are cooking, assemble the carrots, celery, and onion. (Add seasonings at this point if you choose to use them.) I actually prefer the dried minced onion in this,  but fresh onion would be alright too.  Cover with water and cook 'til almost done. 

combine potatoes and veg-mix

Combine the potatoes with the veg-mix, including the water the veggies were cooked in. 

 

potatoes, veg-mix, beef gravy, mushroom soup

 At this point you can continue to go "vegetarian" or you can add a can of beef gravy (or leftover beef roast and gravy), OR use only the condensed mushroom soup. 



For microwave cooking, cook on high for another 5 minutes.  Test for done-ness of potatoes.  If they are done, or almost done, go ahead and top with grated cheddar cheese...place in microwave and continue to cook until the cheese is just melted.  Alternatively, if you want to use a slow cooker, after you have pre-cooked the potatoes and the veg-mix, at the time you combine all the ingredients, place them in the slow cooker, without the cheese, until the potatoes are done.  Then top with grated cheddar cheese.

top casserole with grated cheddar cheese, heat to melt cheese

This recipe works well with canned beef and gravy, or with home-cooked leftovers.  OR leave the meat and meat based gravy out altogether and go only with the mushroom soup.
This is always popular at pot lucks and family gatherings, or family casserole dinner.

You may wish to add peas, corn, green beans, etc, to the veg-mix.  Just add them to the pot!  
This makes about 6 servings, but you can easily increase the potatoes and vegetables to serve more.  (Add an extra can of soup if needed)