Shanghi Casserole
Shanghai Casserole offers a hearty combination of ground meat, vegetables, and rice, all coated in a savory mushroom soy sauce. Topped with crispy Chinese noodles, it delivers comforting flavors perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, blending Chinese-inspired tastes with easy-to-make ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground meat (beef or turkey) ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onions ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon oil ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced celery ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) package frozen mixed vegetables ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) can Chinese noodles ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat, chopped onions, and minced garlic in oil.
- Add sliced celery and mushroom soup; cook for a few minutes.
- Cook frozen mixed vegetables in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes.
- Add cooked vegetables and liquid to the meat mixture.
- Stir in cooked rice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Turn the mixture into a greased 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven, uncover, and top with Chinese noodles.
- Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using ground turkey for a leaner option or swapping in ground beef for a heartier dish. You can also add spices such as ginger or red pepper flakes for a kick. If you don't have Chinese noodles, crispy fried onions make a great substitute for topping. For a vegetarian version, use lentils in place of meat and vegetable broth instead of water.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole pairs beautifully with steamed broccoli or a light salad for a complete meal. For a more filling option, serve with additional rice or noodles. You can also offer soy sauce or a sweet chili sauce on the side for added flavor. Explore more delicious Chinese recipes to complement this dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, then heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Shanghi Casserole contains roughly 1026 calories, with 8g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 95g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1560mg per serving (68% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat to your Shanghai Casserole, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the meat mixture. You can also sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking for an added kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).