Simple, satisfying: Potato and leek casserole for busy nights
Casseroles are the perfect dinner recipe when you're short on time and ideas. With just a few simple ingredients and a quick bake, you can have a dish on the table that will satisfy the whole family. You don't need to spend a fortune on ingredients or spend hours over the stove.
Casseroles can be made in many different ways, but the version with potatoes and leeks is the most frequent in my home. I add some vegetables and slightly crispy bacon and toss it in the oven. No one leaves the table hungry, and if there's any left for the next day, reheating it is as easy as pie.
Potato and leek casserole
The base of the casserole is potatoes. You can cook them specifically for this dish or use leftovers from a previous meal. It's an excellent way to use up leftovers and prepare a quick meal. All the ingredients combine quickly, and the casserole bakes in the oven. It's the perfect dinner for busy people.
Combining potatoes, vegetables, meat, and cheese creates a hearty and wholesome dish. Leek adds a hint of sharpness, complementing the taste of onion. You can use any colour of bell pepper, and if you have a forgotten piece of zucchini, leftover corn, or carrot in the fridge, feel free to add them to the casserole.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of cooked potatoes,
- 1 large leek,
- 1 red bell pepper,
- 3 cloves of garlic,
- 1-2 onions,
- 140 grams of smoked bacon,
- 300 ml of 30% cream,
- 2 eggs,
- 100 grams of grated cheese,
- Salt and pepper to taste,
- A pinch of nutmeg,
- Sweet, smoked, and hot paprika,
- Herbes de Provence.
Instructions:
- Slice the cooked potatoes into fairly thick slices.
- Chop the onion, dice the red pepper, and slice the leek into half-moons.
- Fry the chopped vegetables (except the potatoes) in a pan, adding the pressed garlic.
- Slice the bacon and fry until it starts to become crispy.
- Pour cream into a bowl, add the eggs, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and the remaining spices, and mix thoroughly.
- Grease the bottom of an ovenproof dish with oil.
- Place a layer of potatoes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and add half of the fried vegetables and bacon slices.
- Next, place the remaining fried vegetables on the bacon, season with pepper, and add more potatoes.
- Pour the cream and egg mixture over everything and bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 20 minutes.
- After this time, add the grated cheese on top and bake for another 10 minutes.
After this time, the casserole is ready. Serve it warm; you can also sprinkle it with chopped parsley. Enjoy!
