Farmer's Casserole In Quantity

[kmccabe]

I am planning on making Farmer's Casserole for Mother's Day Brunch (thanks to great suggestions from the BB) and need to serve 9 people. The recipe only serves 6. Here's what I consider to be my options:

1. Make two casseroles (2 quart dish). If I do this, can I bake them at the same time in the oven? Should I adjust temperature or baking time or both?

2. Double or more than double the recipe and put in an extra large dish. If I do this, any suggestions on what size dish I should use? And again should I adjust temperature, baking time or both?

I see from past comments that some people double the recipe and bake in a 9X13 dish. However, I just pulled mine out to take a look at it and I think it's just a bit small for 9 people. We are probably going to have other stuff like fruit salad, bagels, etc, but I am really worried that I will run out of the main dish.

Any comments or suggestions would be most appreciated. Usually I am a pretty confident cook, but this is for DH's family and so I am kind of nervous.


KM

[cjm]

kmckabe - I've made Farmer's Casserole many times. My suggestion would be to make 2 casseroles...I usually make mine on the weekends, divide it into individual servings and then freeze in freezer-ziplock bags so I can have them for a fast, good breakfast during our hurried weekday mornings. In other words...if you have any leftovers, they can be frozen too.

[Linda in MO]

If you have two 8 inch square pans, I would use those. I don't think you would have to increase your time, atleast not by much anyway. If not, I would double the recipe and use the 9x13. I believe you would have to increase your time with a larger dish, but I don't know by how much. If you use the 2 pans, you could use a different meat for each one. Ham or Canadian bacon in one and sausage or bacon in the other. Just a suggestion. I think this will be enough for 9 people. Hope that helps.

[sneezles]

I have the large pyrex baking dish (11x17) and I serve this on Christmas morning for 9. I double the recipe and pour it in and if I remember correctly it takes about the same time to bake.

[Jewel]

The last time I made this for a crowd I did as Linda suggested and made 2 8x8 pans. I made one with pepperjack cheese and ham, and one with sharp cheddar cheese and crumbled sausage. I also half the evap milk when I make this dish just as a personal preference. ;) Both varieties have always been a huge hit! I serve with hot sauce and fat free sour cream at the table and there has never been any leftovers!

Cjm, thanks for the freezing in individual portions idea! :) I only seem to make this dish when there is company, but if I make it and freeze it DH and I can enjoy it on lazy weekend mornings when I'm not feeling like cooking!

[kmccabe]

Thanks for the suggestions. We will probably make a large (double recipe) and a small casserole for brunch. DH loves the casserole but feels that his family will want seconds. I am never sure what to do when I double a recipe or try to bake two things at once--so again thanks.

KM