Savory Chow Mein Casserole
This Savory Chow Mein Casserole brings together the heartwarming flavors of my childhood and the convenience of modern cooking. Packed with protein-rich ground turkey or beef, crisp celery, and sweet Spanish onion, it's a comforting dish made creamy with soups and finished with crunchy chow mein noodles. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-dish meal is not only easy-to-make but also flexible enough to adapt to your family's taste. Pair with sticky white rice and a refreshing salad for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground turkey or ground beef
1 lb (raw)
Celery
2 stalks (sliced thin)
Spanish onion
1/4 (diced small)
Cream of chicken soup
1 can (undiluted)
Chicken and rice soup
1 can (undiluted)
Sliced mushrooms
1 can (with juice (stems & pieces are fine))
Soy sauce
3 tablespoons (liquid)
Chow mein noodles
1 bag (the crispy variety)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat. Add the sliced celery and diced Spanish onion, cooking until the vegetables are tender and the meat is fully cooked.
3
Once cooked, drain and rinse the meat and veggie mixture to remove excess fat.
4
In a large mixing bowl or casserole dish, combine the drained meat and vegetables with the cream of chicken soup, chicken and rice soup, sliced mushrooms (with juice), and soy sauce. Mix until well combined.
5
Finally, gently fold in the chow mein noodles, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6
Transfer the mixture back into a casserole dish if needed and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dish is piping hot and bubbly.
7
Serve immediately, ideally with sticky white rice and a fresh salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chow Mein Casserole?
Savory Chow Mein Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal featuring ground meat, celery, and onions in a creamy soup base topped with crunchy noodles.
What meat can be used in this casserole?
You can use either one pound of ground turkey or ground beef.
How many stalks of celery are needed?
The recipe requires 2 stalks of celery, which should be sliced thin.
What type of onion is recommended for this dish?
A 1/4 of a Spanish onion, diced small, is used in this recipe.
What soups are required?
You will need one can of cream of chicken soup and one can of chicken and rice soup.
Should the soups be diluted before mixing?
No, both the cream of chicken and the chicken and rice soups should be used undiluted.
How many mushrooms should I add?
Use one can of sliced mushrooms; stems and pieces are perfectly fine.
Do I need to drain the canned mushrooms?
No, you should include the juice from the mushroom can in the casserole mixture.
How much soy sauce is added to the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of liquid soy sauce.
What kind of chow mein noodles are used?
Use one bag of the crispy variety of chow mein noodles.
What is the correct oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The dish should bake for 20 to 25 minutes until it is piping hot and bubbly.
Should the meat be cooked before adding it to the casserole?
Yes, you should brown the ground meat in a skillet with the celery and onion first.
Do I need to drain the meat after browning?
Yes, you should drain and rinse the meat and vegetable mixture to remove excess fat.
When should I add the chow mein noodles?
Gently fold the chow mein noodles into the mixture just before the final baking step.
What are the suggested side dishes?
It is recommended to serve this casserole with sticky white rice and a fresh salad.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a 30-minute meal and an easy dinner option.
Is this casserole family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly comfort food dish that children often enjoy.
Can I make this as a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is designed as a convenient one-dish meal for easy cleanup.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish is creamy inside from the soups and finished with a crunchy texture from the noodles.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients in this Savory Chow Mein Casserole.
How should the celery be prepared?
The celery should be sliced thin before being cooked with the meat.
Can I substitute the meat?
The recipe is flexible, but it specifically suggests ground turkey or ground beef.
How should the onion be diced?
The Spanish onion should be diced small for even distribution.
What makes the recipe creamy?
The combination of cream of chicken soup and chicken and rice soup creates the creamy base.
Is the soy sauce liquid or powder?
The recipe specifies using liquid soy sauce.
What is the preparation for the noodles?
The noodles used are the crispy variety, typically found in bags.
Does this recipe contain protein?
Yes, it is packed with protein from the ground turkey or ground beef.
Is this a traditional recipe?
The author notes it brings together heartwarming flavors from their childhood.
Is this a good recipe for busy weeknights?
Absolutely, it is specifically noted as being perfect for busy weeknights.