Hearty Venison & Potato Comfort Casserole
Indulge in the warmth and richness of this Hearty Venison & Potato Comfort Casserole, a quintessential dish that embodies the essence of comfort food. Utilizing ground venison for its robust flavor, this casserole is versatile enough to accommodate any ground meat of your choice. Layered with tender mixed vegetables, zesty tomato sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes, it's a meal that practically cooks itself. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe can be prepared in a slow cooker for a hands-off approach or baked to perfection in the oven. Any leftover veggies you have on hand can also join the mix, making it an easy, adaptable dish that is as satisfying as it is delicious. Serve this wholesome casserole for a family dinner, and relish those melt-in-your-mouth bites!
N/A
Servings
335
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Venison
2 lbs (browned and drained)
Tomato Sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (none)
Onion
1 small (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2-4 (minced)
Frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 (10 ounce) package (none)
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Instant Mashed Potatoes
2 cups (none)
Sour Cream
1 1/2 cups (none)
Water
2/3 cup (none)
Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 1/2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, brown the ground venison over medium heat until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the browned venison, tomato sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, frozen mixed vegetables, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
3
Transfer the venison and vegetable mixture to a crockpot or a greased baking dish.
4
In another bowl, prepare the instant mashed potatoes by mixing the potato flakes, sour cream, and water until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the venison layer.
5
If using a crockpot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. For oven cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F, cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for about 1 hour.
6
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the casserole and allow it to melt.
7
Once cooked, let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting casserole warm!
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
27g
Carbs
23g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Venison & Potato Comfort Casserole?
It is a wholesome dish featuring ground venison, mixed vegetables, tomato sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes layered and cooked together.
Can I use a different meat besides venison?
Yes, you can substitute the ground venison with any ground meat of your choice.
How do I prepare the ground venison?
Brown the ground venison in a large skillet over medium heat for 7-10 minutes and drain any excess fat.
What kind of vegetables are in this casserole?
The recipe calls for one 10-ounce package of frozen mixed vegetables, but you can also use any leftover veggies you have.
What type of sauce is used in the meat mixture?
The meat is combined with one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
How much garlic should I add?
The recipe suggests using between 2 to 4 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of onion is needed?
One small chopped onion is used in the venison mixture.
How are the mashed potatoes prepared?
Mix 2 cups of instant potato flakes with 1 1/2 cups of sour cream and 2/3 cup of water until smooth.
Can this casserole be cooked in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook it in a crockpot on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for baking.
How long does it bake in the oven?
It should be baked for approximately 1 hour in total.
Should I cover the dish when baking in the oven?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil during the initial stage of baking.
When do I add the cheese?
Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole during the last 30 minutes of cooking so it can melt.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 335 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving contains 23 grams of protein.
How much fat is in the casserole?
The dish contains 18 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 27 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sour cream is used?
The potato topping requires 1 1/2 cups of sour cream.
Is there salt and pepper in the recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper are added to the meat mixture.
How long should the casserole sit before serving?
Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes after cooking before serving.
Is this a good meal for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is designed to be an easy, adaptable dish that practically cooks itself.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 11 ingredients required for this recipe.
Can I use fresh mixed vegetables?
While the recipe specifies frozen, you can substitute fresh vegetables if preferred.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, the baking dish should be greased if you are opting for the oven-baked method.
Can I use real mashed potatoes instead of instant?
Yes, though the recipe specifies instant flakes for convenience, prepared mashed potatoes can be used.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include casserole, comfort food, venison, slow cooker, and family meal.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is categorized as a one-dish meal featuring protein, vegetables, and starch.
How much water is added to the potatoes?
The potato mixture requires 2/3 cup of water.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the mixture.