Syndicated Column from the week of July 23, 2012.
This article originally published in the Galion Inquirer on July 25, 2012.  

A friend of mine asked the question this week: What is your “go to” potluck dish?

That got me thinking. People do have a dish they always or almost always take to potlucks. I have a sister who prefers to make desserts and when she is asked to bring a dish, she will bring something sweet. I tend to put together a main dish in my crock-pot, like chili or shredded chicken unless somebody places a request. I have a friend whose recipe for deviled eggs is top notch and folks are upset if she doesn’t bring them to the dinner.

What happens when you are asked to provide a dish that is outside of your automatic contribution? Do you have a fall back option?

While my sister’s go to recipe category is desserts, she does have a back pocket recipe she prepares when asked to bring a main dish. She makes a taco style casserole. She likes the recipe since it is easy to prepare and will serve a fair number of people.

She didn’t share her recipe with me, at least not yet! But I have got a recipe I have used that is similar:

Taco Lasagna

• 1 package Soft Tortilla Shells
• 1 pound Hamburger ground, browned, drained
• 1 jar Salsa
• 1 can Tomato Pieces
• 1 can Corn whole kernel, drained
• 1 package Mozzarella / Cheddar Cheese shredded

 

Layer ingredients in order listed in ingredients list in 9 inch round baking dish or casserole. Repeat layers until ingredients are used. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with sour cream, shredded lettuce and salsa.

Make it a meal:  If you are serving this at home, and not a potluck, you will want to dress up  your lasagna servings with your favorite Mexican toppings. I usually serve nachos and cheese sauce on the side. My son always doses his plate liberally with taco spices!

Approximate Nutritional Value per serving: Servings Per Recipe: 8, Amount Per Serving: Calories: 505, Fat: 23g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 1152mg, Total Carbs: 44g, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Protein: 33g.

Variations: Lower the sodium content by dicing tomatoes instead of using the canned version. Add a layer of refried beans. Add black beans and diced green peppers with the corn layer.

I have made this dish for potlucks and usually bring home an empty casserole dish. The nice thing about it, I can use it as a main dish or a side dish.

Potlucks are a great chance to try new foods and sample other people’s cooking. I think it is a good idea to take tried and true recipes to the table, but sometimes it is a challenge. Especially when the organizers announce the potluck will have a theme!

The best potluck dishes are portable, require low cost ingredients and feed a crowd. If you are looking for some new recipes, you will want to consider how the recipe meets those considerations.  But when somebody calls and says We are having a potluck, bring a dish then I say  take your standby and enjoy the meal!

Noel Lizotte is breaking free of corporate stress with convenience cooking! This recipe is similar to ones printed in her cookbook Apron Free Cooking which is available on the website www.apronfreecooking.com. 

Interested in one of the books pictured above? You can purchase on Amazon here.