When you’re in the mood for something tasty, yet simple to make with the ingredients you have in your cupboard, then may I suggest giving this easy French bread casserole recipe a try?
You can have it cooked and on the table within an hour, and your kitchen will be bursting with tantalizing aromas that will have your family ready for dinner.
This easy French bread casserole takes only a few ingredients but packs a big flavor punch. It’s a great way to use up leftover French bread or any other crusty, chewy bread that you have on hand.
Simply combine some savory filling ingredients, mix in the bread, pop it in the oven and you’ll have a delicious casserole that your family will love.
The best part about this casserole is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can play around with different ingredients to change up the flavor to suit your own tastes. The main ingredients you’ll need are some type of coarsely textured bread, a savory filling, and a topping of your choice.
Prepare the French Bread
You’ll need 8–10 cups of cubed and coarsely textured French bread for the casserole. You can also use a different type of crusty, chewy bread such as ciabatta or sourdough.
If you’re using a fresh loaf, ensure that the loaf is cut into small cubes, about the size of small croutons. If you’re using day-old bread, dry it out in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350°F before cutting it into cubes.
Prepare the Filling
For the filling, you will need 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup of diced celery, 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Combine the melted butter, onion, celery, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, parsley and salt in a large bowl and mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Assemble and Bake Casserole
Once you’ve prepared the filling and the bread cubes, mix the bread cubes into the filling ingredients until all of the bread cubes are evenly coated. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread the combined mixture into the dish.
Place the casserole in the oven and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the casserole and check to see if the bread is golden brown. If not, bake the casserole for another 5–10 minutes or until the bread has achieved a nice golden color.
Toppings for Casserole
Once you’ve removed the casserole from the oven, you’ll have a few topping options to choose from. You could use grated cheese, bread crumbs, sliced olives, diced tomatoes or even a combination of the above.
Spread your selected topping evenly over the top of the casserole and return it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned.
Variations on French Bread Casserole Recipe
Although French bread is ideal for this casserole, you can also use a variety of other types of breads as well; the textures and flavors will all be a little different but all will come out delicious. Some of my favorite breads to use are ciabatta, sourdough, and focaccia.
You can also experiment with the filling ingredients to create a unique flavor for the casserole. For example, you can add diced mushrooms, bell peppers, or other vegetables to the filling to create a heartier and healthier casserole.
You could also add cooked meats such as ham, sausage or bacon for a meatier flavor.
Serving Suggestions with French Bread Casserole
This casserole goes great with lots of different side dishes. A crisp green salad, roasted vegetables or a creamy mashed potato dish are all excellent side dishes to enjoy with this casserole.
This casserole is the perfect dish for weeknight meals, family gatherings or holiday celebrations. It’s easy to make and feed a large number of people.
Possible Nutrition Information of the Dish
One serving of this casserole contains approximately 290 calories and 14.5 g of fat. It also contains 5.5 g of carbs, 4 g of fiber, 2 g of sugars and 7 g of protein.
The onions and celery used in the filling provide a substantial amount of vitamin C, while the butter provides healthy fats and proteins. The bread cubes offer a good source of carbs and fiber, while the poultry seasoning and garlic powder add flavor and offer small amounts of antioxidants.
Conclusion
This easy French bread casserole is a great way to combine a few simple ingredients into a flavorful and comforting casserole that’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family. It’s also a great way to use up some of the leftover bread you may have on hand.
With a few basic ingredients, some leftovers and about an hour, you can have a delicious casserole that’s sure to be a hit with everyone. Change up the fillings and toppings to customize the flavor to your own tastes, and enjoy the savory aromas that will fill your kitchen.