The Heartwarming Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe for Cozy Meals

Whipping up an authentic Amish harvest casserole brings hearty comfort to any dinner table.

Family recipes often carry deep cultural traditions passed through generations.

Rich potato layers combine with creamy textures that speak directly to midwestern comfort food roots.

Seasonal ingredients make this dish a nostalgic celebration of agricultural bounty.

Simple yet satisfying, each forkful connects you to rustic kitchen memories.

Farmhouse cooking never tasted so delightful – let’s uncover this classic recipe together.

Grab your apron and prepare for a mouthwatering culinary journey.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I substitute in this casserole?

You can replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Swap egg noodles with pasta like rotini or penne. Use gluten-free alternatives if needed.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The casserole has mild seasonings and familiar ingredients kids typically enjoy. The cheesy top and soft noodles make it appealing to children.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to a day in advance. Assemble everything except the breadcrumbs and cheese, cover, and refrigerate. Add cheese and breadcrumbs right before baking.

What Makes Amish Harvest Casserole Special

• Comfort Food Champion: Packed with hearty ground beef, tender vegetables, and creamy sauce, this casserole delivers ultimate comfort in every single bite.
• Quick Kitchen Hero: Requires minimal prep work and uses simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy families needing a satisfying meal in no time.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the cheesy top, soft noodles, and rich flavors that blend perfectly together without any complicated techniques.
• Flexible Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to customize with different protein options or vegetable substitutions, ensuring everyone gets a delicious meal they'll enjoy.

Everything Inside Amish Harvest Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that provides the base for this comforting casserole.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: These aromatic and nutritious vegetables add depth of flavor and texture to the dish.

• Egg Noodles: A classic pasta that creates a satisfying base for the casserole.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream: These creamy ingredients help bind the casserole and add rich, tangy flavor.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: A melty topping that adds a golden, cheesy crust to the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Oregano, Thyme: These seasonings enhance the overall taste profile of the casserole.

• Breadcrumbs: Provide a crispy, crunchy texture to the top of the casserole.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a hint of herbal freshness.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the ground beef and vegetables.
• Diced Tomatoes: Add moisture and a slight tangy flavor to the casserole.

Steps to Create Amish Harvest Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into the pan and cook until it turns a rich brown color.

Break up any large chunks with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetable Medley

• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté the vegetables for 5-7 minutes until they become tender and release their aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sour cream
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Oregano
• Thyme

Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Combine Noodles with Mixture

Fold the cooked egg noodles into the skillet, ensuring they are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top.

Step 7: Add Crunchy Topping

Scatter breadcrumbs over the cheese for an extra crispy texture.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Look for the cheese to become golden and bubbly.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the casserole from the oven.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve piping hot and watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Helpful Hints for Amish Casserole Success

• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent bite in every spoonful.
• Drain excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain ideal consistency.
• Use freshly shredded cheddar instead of pre-packaged for superior melting and richer flavor profile.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs closer to the end of baking to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp golden-brown topping.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, alternative protein variations.

Ways to Change Up Amish Casserole

• Vegetarian Harvest Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains rich, hearty flavors.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap egg noodles with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute noodles with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the casserole's comforting essence.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Add quinoa or lentils to boost protein content, creating a nutritionally enhanced one-pot meal with added texture and substance.

What Goes Well with Amish Casserole

Rich, full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot complement the beef’s robust flavor, cutting through the creamy casserole with elegant tannins.

Choose a malty amber ale or brown ale that matches the casserole’s hearty profile, enhancing the meat and vegetable textures with its complementary caramel undertones.

Prepare a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole’s richness, adding brightness and cutting through the heavy, creamy dish.

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives over the casserole to introduce a fresh, vibrant note that lifts the entire dish’s flavor complexity.

Storing and Reheating Amish Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, ensuring food safety and maintaining flavor.
• Transfer casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F. Cover with foil to prevent drying, bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Uncover last 5 minutes for crispy top.

Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rich, comforting Amish Harvest Casserole brings hearty midwestern flavors to your dinner table with layers of potatoes, vegetables, and creamy cheese. Families will savor this nostalgic dish that celebrates seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking from rural Pennsylvania kitchens.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 8 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, using a spatula to break it into small pieces and drain any excess fat.
3. Introduce chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery to the skillet, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream, then season with salt, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. Gently simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
5. Fold cooked egg noodles into the savory mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the casserole.
6. Carefully transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface.
8. Optional: Scatter breadcrumbs over the cheese for an additional crispy texture.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
10. Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve piping hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner protein option that works perfectly for health-conscious eaters.
• Consider adding extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to boost nutritional value and create more colorful, vibrant layers in the casserole.
• Gluten-free variation works best by using gluten-free egg noodles and ensuring cream of mushroom soup is gluten-free certified.
• Reduce sodium content by choosing low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and controlling salt quantity during cooking process.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg