My Family's Favorite Casserole

Shouldn't the celery and onion be cooked in frying pan before putting themin the casserole?

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Test Kitchen Team

Sep 28, 2020

Hello! Onions and celery can go in casserole raw because there is liquid from tomatoes that will help soften during the cooking process. But, onions and celery can also be sauted in skillet when browning the beef if desired. Hope this helps!

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I liked this recipe. I made it with a combination of fresh and canned rotel tomatoes as I had fresh ones to use up. I agree the dish needs some more flavor but the rotel was too spicy hot for me so won't use that again. Much milder canned chili tomatoes would work better. I added a lot of fresh vegetables (carrots, asparagus, mushrooms) because I had them in the frig to use up and they extended the dish and made it a complete meal. Very Good.

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I've made this with Hatch green chilis Excellent! Especially for those of you from New Mexico.

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One of our favorites. I did one change that removes some extra steps. I use stewed tomatoes which eliminates chopping onions and celery. Great when you really don't want to work at it.

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I love casserole's and I would just add some more spices, celery is one of my favorite foods! I will try this soon! Thanks for sharing! Elaine

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This is American Chop Suey without the green peppers, and adding honey sounds just plain nasty to me!! Also, you don't put celery in A.C.S. either.

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fredhomer 9960735

Oct 30, 2016

I DO

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Blah....needs spices to liven it up!

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I didn't care for it. Reminds me of goulash, and the taste is very plain

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Excellent! Will be making again, for sure!

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the carbohydrates were 30.

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I put the recipe in Mastercook and it said 434 calories a serving. Hope that helps.

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Where can you get the calories and carbohydrate counts on your recipes

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I cannot find the place to click to save the recipe to my box.

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Test Kitchen Team

Mar 24, 2014

Hello Julie. We're sorry for the inconvenience. We're currently working on getting this issue resolved.

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With this new format how do I save to my recipe box?

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hbryan8028 3149948

Mar 22, 2014

There is a place to click in the column where you find the print feature

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I make a casserole similar to this, but to the ground beef I add one celery stick, chopped, and the onion, saut until beef is cooked. Instead of 28 oz of tomatoes I use only the smaller can (14 oz) and then add a can of tomato soup. I used lowry's garlic salt for more taste and top the dish with grated cheese, like cheddar or American. Never have added honey because the tomato soup is on the sweet side, but might try honey next time.

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I ould like to know why I donot get your news letters. I have signed up for them several times.

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Test Kitchen Team

Sep 17, 2013

If you would like to send us an email with your email address, we can look into it for you. Please send the email to info@mrfood.com. Thank you!

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Wow. I have to jump on board with everyone else. This may be a great "starter" recipe, but needs much. I also added Worcestershire, oregano and some chopped peppers. When I removed the foil after 30 minutes, I was alarmed to see chunks of ground beef surrounded by dry looking pasta. I quickly grabbed a can of tomato sauce and mixed it into the pasta. That may have been the saving grace. Added shredded extra sharp cheese for the last 10 minutes of baking. The one highlight to this recipe is the honey. Gives a little sweetness that brings out the saltiness nicely.

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I have made this similar dish for years. However, I use "powered" Worcestershire" mixed in with the ground meant while browning. I order online or buy in the small spice container at Kroger. The powdered makes a huge difference and really adds zip. I also use stewed tomatoes rather than whole peeled and sometimes have to blend even them as hubby does not like to see tomatoes in his dishes. (Imagine a country boy not liking tomatoes!) Stewed tomatoes, although already a little on the sweet side still get a tablespoon of sugar added to this dish. I mainly use shell macaroni, but I imagine any macaroni is fine. I just like the shell, whether large or small. This is a family favorite at our house.

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I have made something similar to this in the past but I added chili sauce which perked it up quite a bit.

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I made this one time...and while it was an ok dish for something different, I won't make it again. My husband & I both thought the same thing. I do love lots of the other recipes, this one just didn't make it with us!

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Steve

Oct 29, 2016

Wow, mooch. If you actually do like something, where will you find the extra stars to rate it, since you rated this 5 STAR for something you'll never make again????

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This recipe tastes like a few ingredients are missing. No one liked it in my family. Hard to believe it was a top recipe.

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mooch

Mar 22, 2013

I agree with you jmq...my husband said "if this is the families favorite, I wonder what else they eat!

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Steve

Oct 29, 2016

AND YET A 5 STAR REVIEW, MOOCH!!! PLEASE EXPLAIN.

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hollygal

Mar 10, 2015

I so agree!! I didn't make this, as I knew from the ingredients it would be blah. It needs a lot of help. Will stick to my own recipe.

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I get a kick out of hw someone says they have omitted the meat and then added corn istead. And then added pepper instead of celery..and then say that it is too tomatoey?? Well you have changed the receipe..you then go on to say you add cheese and brocolli even..You have created a whole NEW receipe..No wonder it isn't the same as the original anymore. Don't expect it to be the same or even anything like it with that many substitutions.

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I get a kick out of how someone says they didn't use meat and added corn instead and bell pepper instead of celery and then say that it is too tomatoey?? You have CHANGED the receipe...of course it is different now...don't expect it to be the same. And then you want to add brocolli and cheese yet too?? Don't expect the receipe to be like the original...you have made a completely NEW receipe.

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Thanks for this recipe; making it today. Easy and tasty, I'm sure! I imagine the 'honey' gives it something speacial. When I make 'chili,' spaghetti,' or stuffed peppers;' any kind of dish with (tomato sauce) in it, I've always added (1 to 2 Tablespoons of brown suger) as I understand that cuts the acid from the tomato. I think it also adds to the taste of the recipe, so I'm sure (the honey) will be a welcomed addition. Thanks again for all the wonderful recipes! 'little ole' Ohio cook'

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Sounds just like my "Ghoulish" (Goulash) except I do mine in a skillet. I've never tried the honey in it though...

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sml716 9855032

Dec 08, 2012

That's the way we always did it also - no honey, but might have to try that.

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I admit I did not put in meat since I don't eat meat very often. I added corn instead and used bell pepper instead of celery since I did not have celery. I thought it was too tomatoey. Next time I will use a smaller can of tomatoes (I too used diced tomatoes) and add brocolli with the corn and top with cheese the last 30 min of baking.

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Steve

Oct 29, 2016

And made a completely different recipe, so where do you get off rating this one?

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Tried this and love it. I used one can of tomatoes and one can rotel tomatoes plus grated cheese on top. Added cheese after I took it out of oven while hot. Next time will add water chestnuts, chopped, bell peppers and olives...

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i can't imagine honey in this recipe...but i can imagine 2 cans of stewed tomatoes instead of the diced or peeled tomatoes...or 1 can of stewed tomatoes and 1 can of the rotel tomatoes...

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if you add Cheese then it is called Beefaroni or Ziti

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Scarlett Vale

Aug 19, 2015

Actually, more than half the recipes I've seen for Beefaroni do not include cheese, so I guess you can call it Beefaroni whether you add cheese or not. And ziti is a specific kind of pasta.

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Not a fan of celery or bell peppers, so I add large can of diced tomatoes and a can of chopper green chilies and topped it off with cheese

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knitterchris 7008748

Aug 06, 2012

Excellent! Since the recipe does not call for green peppers, it sounds like it's perfect for you! Agree with the other posts about just using 28-ounce can diced tomatoes. Sounds yummy.

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Would like to see how many people the recipes serves.

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Cook for one

Aug 02, 2012

It says it serves 4.

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Instead of a can of whole tomatoes and breaking them up, how about just using a large can of diced tomatoes? Otherwise sounds good and easy, which I like.

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Instead of a can of whole tomatoes and breaking them up, how about just using a large can of diced tomatoes? Otherwise sounds good and easy, which I like.

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Instead

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would not let me add this to recipe box

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njsnowbyrds 2291167

Dec 08, 2012

12/18/12 still cannot add to recipe box

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add i can of rotel tomatoes drained to give it a little heat.

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omit the honey & add shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

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Add some chopped green pepper and you have Johnny Marzetti- very good. I like the idea of adding the shredded cheese.

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We make this with boxed macaroni and cheese and call it John Mozzetti. It is a family favorite!

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I agree! I put shredded cheddar cheese on top for the last few minutes of baking and it gave the casserole a little extra flavor! kburke

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I would have top it off with grated cheese! Uhmmm

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