Common Cuisine |

One-dish meals mean you can concentrate all your efforts on one dish, and your dinner is ready as soon as the dish is. Invent your own specialty using the following formula:

Choose one Sauce Maker:

• 1 can cream soup (mushroom, chicken, potato, asparagus, etc.)
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup (try fiesta nacho for kick)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (try Italian or Mexican seasoned)

Choose one Vegetable:

• 1 can drained green beans, sweet peas, asparagus cuts and tips, corn, or chopped spinach
• 1 1/2 cups thawed frozen broccoli, corn, green beans, peas, or spinach.

Choose one uncooked pasta/rice:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup regular rice
• 4 cups wide egg noodles
• 3 cups small pasta shells

Choose one protein:

• 2 (6 oz) cans tuna, drained
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, ham or turkey
• 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

Choose one or more extras (optional):

• 1 (3 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• ¼ cup sliced ripe olives
• ¼ cup chopped red or green bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup chopped celery
• 1 (4½ oz) can chopped green chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix

Choose one or two toppings:

• ½ cup shredded Mozzarella, Swiss, or Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup cracker crumbs
• 1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix

Include all the Basics:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Combine the Basics with Sauce Maker (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes). Stir in Vegetable, Pasta/Rice, Protein, and, if desired, Extras. Spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.

Bake, covered, at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with toppings; bake 10 more minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings.