Purpose: A casserole can serve any function, for example, a main dish, side dish, breakfast, or even dessert. A hot dish is a main meal only, as it (purportedly) contains all the nutrients one needs in a hearty meal. Well, there you have it folks.
Why Do Minnesotans Call Casserole ‘Hotdish’?
FAQ
What is the difference between hotdish and casserole?
What makes something a hotdish?
What do Southerners call hotdish?
What is the difference between a casserole and A hotdish?
The only difference between a casserole and a hotdish is where you’re from. If you’re from Minnesota, a cozy casserole dish with a mixture of protein, starch, cheese/condensed soup/sauce, and sometimes vegetables is a hotdish. If you’re from anywhere else, including Minnesota-adjacent states, the exact same dish is called a casserole.
What do you eat in a casserole dish?
The name is easy to explain — it’s a hot meal prepared entirely in a casserole dish — but exactly what goes into that dish can vary significantly. The basic elements are meat, vegetables, starch, sauce, and toppings, but the specifics are up to each cook. The meat is typically ground beef, though you could use chicken, turkey, pork, or even tuna.
What do casserole recipes have in common?
There are countless casserole recipes, and the only thing they all have in common is the dish they are baked in. In fact, the word “casserole” comes from the French “cassole,” which roughly translates to “saucepan.” Outside of the cookware itself, casserole has no firm definition.
What makes a good casserole?
It’s cherished for its ease of preparation and clean-up, better-the-next-day leftovers, and the ability to put pretty much anything in it and it will be goshdarn delicious. Some definitions of casserole say it has to have a protein, starch, vegetable, cheese, and sauce.