Cheesy Fish Stick Casserole Delight
Transform your hectic weeknight dinners with this Cheesy Fish Stick Casserole Delight, a dish that marries convenience with surprisingly delicious flavors. Perfect for picky eaters, this easy casserole features crispy fish sticks layered over a creamy hash brown base, accented with fresh dill and melty cheddar cheese. Whether you're short on time or looking for a fun potluck meal, this recipe is sure to impress family and friends alike. Note: Don't be surprised when they ask for the recipe and discover the secret ingredient—fish sticks!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Hash brown potatoes
12 ounces (thawed and broken apart)
Eggs
4 (beaten)
Skim milk
2 cups (none)
Dried minced onion flakes or fresh minced onion
1 tablespoon (use onion flakes for convenience or fresh for a flavor boost)
Fresh dill
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Seasoning salt
1 1/4 teaspoons (to taste)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
Cheddar cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
Frozen fish sticks
15-18 (do not thaw)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large bowl, break apart the thawed hash brown potatoes with a fork, ensuring there are no clumps.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and skim milk until fully combined.
4
Stir in the minced onion, fresh dill, seasoned salt, and pepper to taste.
5
Add the hash browns and shredded cheddar cheese to the egg mixture, mixing everything until evenly combined.
6
Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
7
Pour the egg and hash brown mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
8
Arrange the frozen fish sticks neatly on top of the mixture in rows for a beautiful presentation.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fish sticks are cooked through. A fork should easily flake the fish when tested.
10
Remove from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the casserole set and prevent it from being too hot and gloppy.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Fish Stick Casserole Delight?
It is a convenient weeknight dinner featuring crispy fish sticks layered over a creamy hash brown and cheddar cheese base.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 9 main ingredients including fish sticks, hash browns, and cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to thaw the hash browns before starting?
Yes, the hash brown potatoes should be thawed and broken apart with a fork to remove clumps.
Should the fish sticks be thawed before baking?
No, the recipe specifies using 15 to 18 frozen fish sticks without thawing them.
What size casserole dish is required?
A 9x13-inch casserole dish is the recommended size for this recipe.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
The dish should bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven.
How do I know when the fish sticks are fully cooked?
The fish sticks are done when the top is golden brown and the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Why must the casserole rest after being removed from the oven?
Allowing it to rest for a few minutes helps the casserole set and prevents it from being too hot and gloppy when served.
Can I use fresh onion instead of dried flakes?
Yes, you can use either 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion flakes or fresh minced onion for a flavor boost.
What type of cheese is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.
How much milk is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 cups of skim milk.
What herbs are used for flavoring?
The dish is flavored with 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped dill.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 4 beaten eggs for the casserole mixture.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is described as kid-friendly and perfect for picky eaters.
Can I bring this casserole to a potluck?
Yes, it is noted as a fun and impressive meal to bring to a potluck.
What seasonings are included?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of seasoning salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
How should the fish sticks be arranged?
Arrange them neatly in rows on top of the hash brown mixture for a beautiful presentation.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, grease the 9x13-inch dish with cooking spray or butter before adding the ingredients.
How do I prepare the egg and milk mixture?
Whisk the eggs and skim milk together in a separate bowl until they are fully combined.
What should I do if the hash browns are clumped?
Break them apart with a fork in a large bowl to ensure there are no clumps before mixing.
What is the base layer of the casserole?
The base is a mixture of hash brown potatoes, cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, and seasonings.
Is this a quick dinner option?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dinner and quick cooking for hectic weeknights.
What kind of hash browns are best?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of hash brown potatoes that have been thawed.
Can I substitute whole milk for skim milk?
While the recipe specifies skim milk, whole milk can be used though it will increase the fat content.
Does the dish have a specific texture?
It features a creamy potato and cheese base with a crispy fish stick topping.
How many fish sticks are used specifically?
The recipe requires between 15 and 18 frozen fish sticks.
When should I add the onion and dill?
Stir the minced onion and fresh dill into the egg and milk mixture before adding the potatoes.
Is the seasoning salt amount adjustable?
The recipe suggests 1 1/4 teaspoons but notes it can be adjusted to taste.
What makes this casserole unique?
The secret ingredient is the use of frozen fish sticks as a primary protein source on top of a potato base.