Church Supper Hot Dish

Although I grew up in the Midwest, I didn’t hear the phrase “hot dish” until I moved to Northern Wisconsin. This Upper Midwest staple is commonly served at potlucks and church gatherings, where the usual instructions are “bring a hot dish to share.” This church supper hot dish recipe is a classic combination of ground beef, starchy potatoes, chopped vegetables and canned cream of mushroom soup. Crispy chow mein noodles ensure each bite has a toothsome crunch.

What is a church supper hot dish?

Midwesterners love a hot dish, but what’s not to love? It’s a classic budget-friendly potluck recipe that combines meat, potatoes, vegetables and canned soup. The casserole has endless variations: Some contain beef or chicken, the vegetables can be anything (green beans and peas are popular), and the topping is often Tater Tots.

Hot dishes have been around for generations—the first published recipe was in a 1930s-era cookbook—and today these recipes are still a great way to use up leftovers, inexpensive cuts of meat, frozen vegetables and pantry staples like condensed soup. Regardless of what’s on the inside or on top, hearty and filling hot dish recipes are always a popular sight at potluck gatherings.

Church Supper Hot Dish Ingredients

• Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for this recipe; 80/20 or 90/10 blends are ideal for this hot dish.
• Vegetables: This hot dish combines peeled and sliced potatoes with finely chopped celery, carrots, green peppers and onions.
• Butter: Sauteing the veggies in butter adds a rich and buttery flavor to the hot dish.
• Water: The veggies are simmered in water to help them soften.
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Cream of mushroom soup is a pantry staple at the base of many casseroles and other comfort food recipes.
• Chow mein noodles: Chow mein noodles are used as the base of the casserole and provide a crunchy topping. For this recipe, use the chow mein noodles in a can.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Adding cheese is always a good idea. For the best flavor and meltability, shred the cheese yourself. However, packaged shredded cheddar will totally work.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the beef

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, cook and crumble the beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain and set aside.

Editor’s Tip: Browning ground beef ensures it’s cooked through when baking the hot dish and provides extra flavor for the sauce.

Step 2: Make the filling

In the same skillet, saute the potatoes, celery, carrots, green pepper and onion in the butter for five minutes.

Add the water. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the soup and cooked ground beef until well-combined.

Step 3: Bake

Sprinkle half the chow mein noodles into a greased shallow 2-quart baking dish. Spoon the meat mixture over the noodles. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Top with the shredded cheese and remaining noodles. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until heated through.

Church Supper Hot Dish Variations

• Switch the soup: Cream of celery, cream of chicken, cream of potato and cream of onion are all excellent substitutes for cream of mushroom soup.
• Step up the seasonings: Add dried or fresh chopped herbs such as parsley, oregano or thyme. Minced garlic and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes would also be tasty additions. To deepen the flavor of the filling, add up to a tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
• Make it with another meat: Ground chicken, turkey or pork sausage would all work in this recipe. Hot dish recipes like this are also great for leftover cooked meat, like shredded or cubed chicken, beef or pork. For a vegetarian casserole, you could use your favorite plant-based meat substitute.

How to Store a Church Supper Hot Dish

After allowing the hot dish to cool, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chow mein noodles will lose their crunchiness in the fridge; if you prefer, remove them before storing, then sprinkle more noodles on the dish after reheating. The hot dish lasts up to three days in the fridge.

Can you freeze a church supper hot dish?

You absolutely can freeze this hot dish. Let the hot dish cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze it for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How should you reheat a hot dish?

Reheat the hot dish in the oven or microwave. To reheat leftover hot dish in the oven, place the leftovers in an oven-safe pan and pop it in an oven preheated to 350°. Bake until heated through. To reheat it in the microwave, transfer individual portions to a microwave-safe dish, cover and reheat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.

Church Supper Hot Dish Tips

What else can you use instead of chow mein noodles on this hot dish?

You can skip the chow mein noodles and use a different topping instead. Other classic hot dish toppers include Tater Tots (frozen is fine), shredded hash browns, crumbled potato chips or crushed tortilla chips.

What can you serve with a church supper hot dish?

When serving a hot dish for supper, pair it with a lighter side, such as a big green salad, easy seasoned green beans or lemon-pepper broccoli. Dinner rolls or thick slices of crusty bread are perfect for sopping up any extra leftover sauce.