“A Minnesota classic! I didn’t grow up here, but I’ve since learned to make it…”

This Church Supper Hot Dish is a quintessential Midwestern casserole, featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and a satisfyingly crunchy chow mein noodle topping. It’s a hearty and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for potlucks or a comforting family meal.

Church Supper Hot Dish

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
2. Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is cooked through. Drain off any excess fat from the pan and set the cooked beef aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat. Add the sliced peeled potatoes, finely chopped celery, finely chopped carrots, finely chopped green bell peppers, and finely chopped onions to the skillet. Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Simmer Vegetables: Pour the 1 cup of water over the vegetables in the skillet. Cover the skillet and let the vegetables simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are slightly tender.
5. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the browned ground beef, the sautéed vegetables (including the liquid), and the two undiluted cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup. Stir everything together until well mixed.
6. Layer Casserole: Line the bottom of the greased 2-quart baking dish with half of the can of chow mein noodles. Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the noodles in the dish.
7. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
8. Add Toppings and Bake Uncovered: After 20 minutes, carefully remove the cover from the baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, followed by the remaining half of the can of chow mein noodles.
9. Bake Uncovered (Final): Return the uncovered baking dish to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chow mein noodles on top are golden brown and crispy.
10. Cool Slightly and Serve: Let the Church Supper Hot Dish cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this comforting and classic casserole!