This is is the easiest and quickest casserole you’ll find – and it’s DELICIOUS! This has become my “go-to” anytime I’m taking a meal to someone, or if we just need something easy and yummy.
Sometimes we get into the mindset that when we’re taking a meal, everything needs to be perfect and gourmet. Sometimes we might even think it’s embarrassing or “less-than” to take anything that’s not a multi-course, home-cooked meal. That’s simply not true! Anything you take to a family or individual that they don’t have to prepare is a blessing to them!
Tonight was a good example. I’m going to be out of town on the other nights of the meal schedule for this family (who happen to be very dear friends). There was no question I wanted to take something, but I found myself thinking a casserole was a cop out (I have NO idea why!). But then I thought to myself: if Oprah shared her “Favorite Things,” why can’t I do that with this meal? I’ll take Staci my favorite things!
So I made this casserole (it truly is my favorite), and I got some Sister Shubert yeast rolls (if you don’t know the glory of Sister Shubert, get yourself to a grocery store NOW). I also went by a local pizza place and got their famous ready-to-cook Cinnamon Wheel for dessert, which is our family’s favorite. Two out of the three items were not home cooked, but I had fun gathering my favorite things!
And you know what? Our friends loved it! They went on and on, and I kept telling them how EASY the whole thing was! (I even used a foil throw-away pan!) I think it was the “fun” of the presentation: My Favorite Things!
When hospitality and serving feel easy and not-stressful, that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong! It means you’re finally learning what those things are REALLY about: the heart.
Don’t buy the lie that you have to kill yourself to serve. The opposite is true! Do whatever is within your bounds to do that day (and every day is different!). I doubled this recipe so I could easily serve my family as well. Win-win!
Here’s the casserole recipe, and I hope you enjoy!
1 box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice
1 can cream of celery
2 cans green beans (French cut work best but any will do)
2 cans chicken (or fresh if you have it on hand)
1 tbsp. mayonnaise (or to taste)
Prepare rice as directed. In a separate bowl, mix all other ingredients and add in rice. Stir well until combined and pour into a 9×13 dish. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
