Description
Country music legend Dolly Parton’s 5-Ingredient Casserole brings Southern comfort to dinner tables with minimal effort. Hearty ingredients meld into a crowd-pleasing dish that promises warmth and satisfaction for hungry families craving simple, delicious home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casings removed
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 medium gold potatoes, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (237 ml) water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream or half & half (optional, for creaminess)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Crumble italian sausage into the pot, breaking it into small pieces while cooking until rich golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Transfer excess grease from sausage if necessary, then introduce diced onions, shredded carrots, and minced garlic into the pot. Sauté the vegetables until they release their aromatic essence and become slightly translucent.
- Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, then gently add cubed potatoes. Season the mixture with dried oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Elevate the temperature and bring the liquid to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the potatoes to tenderize and absorb the robust flavors. Continue cooking for 15-18 minutes, ensuring potatoes reach a soft yet structured consistency.
- Integrate fresh chopped spinach into the simmering pot, stirring until the leaves wilt and incorporate seamlessly into the hearty mixture. If desired, incorporate heavy cream for added richness and velvety texture.
- Carefully ladle the steaming casserole into serving bowls. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese, creating a delectable finishing touch that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets, ensuring the same rich flavor profile and hearty texture.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and carefully controlling salt amounts during cooking.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like kale or zucchini, creating more depth and complexity in the dish.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk, maintaining creaminess
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg