There are many different variations of this recipe. Where I added cannellini beans, some people use water chestnuts or chopped green pepper. You can also try cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom. Some people even use broken ramen noodle bits instead of chow mein noodles. More

I can not possibly put down enough words of praise of this dish. I won't even try. Instead, I will say this: it is the best thing I have ever made. (And I have made a whole lot of stuff!) More

This isn't the classic Hungarian stew, it's actually a macaroni and beef casserole. At first I thought it was a regional reference but I've met people from all over the country that call this casserole "goulash." More

While quinoa and barley are undoubtedly tasty, wheat bulgur is my flat-out favorite whole grain. Nutty, substantive, and slightly sweet, it's a versatile base for a variety of flavors, and can stand on its own as a main course. Bob's Red Mill is my preferred brand, and I usually keep a canister in the house for fun/emergencies. (What? You've never had a wheat bulgur emergency?) More

When you think of casseroles, health isn't necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. More likely, it's Cream of Something-or-Other Soup, canned mystery meat, and gobs of butter and cheese. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Still, if you can make a casserole that's both nutritious and tasty as all get out, why not do so? More

Note: You can use canned fried onions or shallots instead of making your own in step one and two. For better results, look for fried shallots in a Thai or Vietnamese market—but French's will do just fine if that's what... More

[Photograph: Blake Royer] Casseroles are not generally on the top of my list of things to cook. A casserole should be a wonderful thing: You take all these tasty ingredients, put them into a dish, then put it in the... More

[Photograph: Robin Bellinger] Shopping List 1 onion: $0.50 4 ounces cheese: $0.75 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder: $4.50 1 can beans: $1.00 Cilantro (pro-rated): $0.75 Pantry items: Butter, garlic, flour, cumin, cayenne, chile powder, milk, small can of green chiles,... More

Note: Serious Eater Michael Natkin of the vegetarian blog Herbivoracious drops by every Wednesday to share a delicious recipe to expand our vegetarian repertoire. [Photograph: Michael Natkin] Tortilla casserole isn't authentically Mexican, beautiful, or fancy in any way. It's simply... More