Casserole

Sweden

Lerpottasill is a traditional dish originating from the region of Sk&aring;ne. It is made with a combination of herring fillets, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, onions, dill, chives, and butter. The eggs are chopped and mixed with the onions, dill, and chives. The potatoes are boiled, sliced, and layered in a buttered frying pan, then topped with the herring fillets. The egg mixture is spread on top of the fish, and the combination is baked in the oven for a few minutes. Once prepared, the dish is served immediately, often with flatbread and cheese on the side.

Lerpottasill

Austria

Lungauer sch&ouml;psernes is a traditional dish originating from the Lungau region. This hearty meal primarily consists of mutton or lamb cooked in a stew or prepared casserole-style. While the exact recipe can vary, common ingredients in Lungauer sch&ouml;psernes include mutton or lamb, potatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices. The meat is often marinated in a mixture of vinegar and water, sometimes with the addition of wine, and then stewed with the other ingredients until tender. The dish is typically served with local bread, making it a rich, satisfying meal that is particularly comforting in the cold Alpine winters.

Lungauer Schöpsernes

The filling Egyptian dish known as macaroni b&eacute;chamel consists of layers of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or elbow macaroni) with a ground beef filling sandwiched in between, and a topping of b&eacute;chamel sauce. The combination is baked in an oven as a layered pasta casserole until it develops a golden-brown color, and it is then sliced and served. This dish is very common at religious festivities, especially during Ramadan.

Macaroni béchamel

Maduro en gloria is a sweet Nicaraguan casserole consisting of ripe plantains, queso fresco, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, and cinnamon. The plantains are peeled, sliced, then fried in oil until golden brown. Afterwards, they are strained in order to remove excess oil, then arranged in a large casserole dish and topped with cheese and cinnamon. The process is repeated until there are at least two layers of plantains, cheese, and cinnamon. Milk, sugar, and eggs are combined, then poured over the layered ingredients. The concoction is baked until the top layer develops a golden-brown color.

Maduro en gloria

This is not your ordinary mac &amp; cheese. What differentiates the Haitian makawoni au graten (also spelled macaroni au gratin) from mac &amp; cheese are the noodles &ndash; there are no elbow macaroni here, since they are replaced by larger pasta types such as rigatoni and penne, along with some unusual flavorings such as mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and white pepper. All of the ingredients are typically placed in a casserole dish and sprinkled with grated cheese such as parmesan or cheddar. Some cooks like to add other flavorful additions such as ham or shredded chicken. It is said that makawoni au graten is best consumed during the colder seasons as it is a typical comfort food dish.

Makawoni au graten

Initially prepared as a Christmastime dish, this rich Finnish casserole is nowadays enjoyed throughout the year. It consists of rice, ground liver, eggs, saut&eacute;ed onions, and, occasionally&ndash;crisped bacon and raisins, seasoned and baked in the oven until crispy. This unusual combination results in a hearty, luscious dish that is usually accompanied with a flavorful and tart lingonberry jam.

Maksalaatikko

Miser&rsquo;s feast is a traditional frugal dish originating from Wales. Simply put, the dish consists of potatoes and pork. The original recipes called for British bacon, while the addition of pork chops was a luxury, but nowadays, the bacon is somewhat of a luxury, while pork chops are inexpensive. The list of ingredients usually includes sliced potatoes, onions, pork chops (or bacon), black pepper, and salt. The potatoes, onions, and pork are layered in a baking dish, then topped with water, salt, and pepper. The dish is covered and baked until the potatoes become tender and the pork is fully cooked. It&rsquo;s then uncovered and baked again until the liquid forms into a thick sauce. Miser&rsquo;s feast is always served warm as a one-dish meal.

Miser's Feast

Croatia

Mlinci na varaždinski is a savory dish originating from the Croatian city of Varaždin. The key ingredient used in the dish are mlinci &ndash; thin and dry sheets made with flour, water, and salt. In order to prepare the dish, speck should be cut into cubes and fried. It is then combined with fresh cow&rsquo;s cheese, salt, pepper, and sour cream. Mlinci are shortly steamed, then left to dry. A baking dish is greased, then layered with mlinci and a combination of other ingredients. The top is sprinkled with grated Varaždinec cheese, hence the name of the dish. The whole thing is drizzled over with heavy cream and baked in the oven until golden brown. This delicious casserole can be served on its own as a main dish or as a warm appetizer.

Mlinci na varaždinski

This Danish classic employs pork tenderloin that is coupled with hefty amounts of onions, all doused in a creamy sauce. The dish is usually baked as a casserole and is often complemented with mushrooms or crispy bacon bits. It is typically enjoyed as a hearty home-cooked meal and mainly comes served alongside potatoes, rice, and pickles.

Mørbradbøffer i flødesovs

Moussaka is one of the best known Greek dishes &ndash; a baked casserole consisting of ground lamb meat and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes. The lamb is sometimes replaced with beef, while the eggplants might be replaced with zucchini or potatoes. It is likely that moussaka has Middle-Eastern origins, and it was introduced when the Arabs brought the eggplant to Greece. Its Greek name mousak&aacute;s is derived from the Turkish musakka, which came from the Arabic word musaqqa'ah, meaning chilled. Moussaka is not an everyday dish&ndash;it is baked as a special treat for guests and family on festive days. An exotic version of lasagna, without the pasta, moussaka is exceptionally healthy due to the abundance of vegetables used in the dish. It is commonly cut into squares and served warm, not hot, as the dish needs some resting time in order to firm up.

Moussaka

Mubattan kusha is a layered potato and meat casserole originating from Libya. Quick and easy to prepare, the dish consists of ground meat (lamb or beef), sliced potatoes, onions, tomatoes, butter, eggs, and flour. It is traditionally flavored with parsley, hot peppers, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and dill. Fried or grilled potato slices are first layered in a casserole dish, then topped with a mixture of eggs and herbs, and finally, with a layer of meat. The process is repeated until the casserole dish is filled, the whole thing is sprinkled with breadcrumbs, and mubattan kusha is baked until golden brown. It is recommended to pair it with a big salad for a complete meal.

Mubattan kusha

Nachynka is a traditional dish originating from Ukraine. This cornmeal casserole is usually made with a combination of onions, butter, cornmeal, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and baking powder. The onions are saut&eacute;ed in butter, then mixed with salt, sugar, and milk. The dish is stirred until thick, and it is then mixed with the eggs and baking powder and stirred again. The mixture is poured into a casserole dish and baked in the oven for about an hour or until the mixture puffs up and becomes golden brown.

Nachynka

Do you like lasagne? Are you a fan of cinnamon rolls? Well, you can have the best of both worlds in a traditional Sammarinese dish called nidi di rondine. This pasta casserole is prepared by topping fresh lasagna sheets with b&eacute;chamel sauce, Italian cheeses, slices of prosciutto, basil, and even more cheese on top. The pasta is then rolled and cut into small cylinders which are assembled next to each other in a baking dish coated with marinara sauce. The dish is baked until the top of the rolls becomes golden and crisp. The name of the dish translates to swallow's nest, referring to its visual appearance once baked.

Nidi di rondine

United Kingdom

Dating back to at least 1673, ormer casserole is a Guernsey specialty made with ormers, pork belly, carrots, shallots, butter, and bay leaves. Ormers are a type of shellfish that is one of Guernsey's well-known local delicacies. They look similar to oysters and have a mild flavor. Ormers can only be collected on a few dates between January and April, so this dish isn't always available in local restaurants. The ormers are removed from their shells, flattened with a mallet, then rolled in flour and fried in Guernsey butter. Later on, they are combined with the other ingredients in a casserole dish, and the concoction is then baked until ready for consumption. It is recommended to serve this delicious casserole with crusty bread or Guernsey biscuits on the side.

Ormer Casserole

Australia

Palusami is a Samoan main dish prepared with taro leaves and onions in coconut milk. The combination of these ingredients is baked in a casserole dish until the taro leaves become wilted and the sauce becomes bubbly. The dish has a few variations so it can be modified by adding corned beef or dill into the casserole in order to elevate the flavors.

Palusami

Panackelty is a popular English casserole that is especially popular in County Durham and Sunderland. It consists of slowly cooked meat (typically lamb chops or corned beef) and root vegetables such as onions, carrots, and potatoes, although there are numerous recipe variations throughout the region, so the type of meat and vegetables may vary. The dish is cooked in a pan which is placed in an oven at a low temperature, hence the name. It is believed that panackelty was invented out of necessity as a frugal and hearty dish.

Panackelty

Pan haggerty is a traditional dish originating from Northumberland, but it&rsquo;s enjoyed throughout the United Kingdom in numerous variations. The dish is usually prepared with a combination of sliced potatoes, onions, butter, salt, pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. The potato and onion slices are layered in a baking dish, dotted with butter, and seasoned with salt and pepper. The dish is covered and baked until the potatoes and onions become tender. It is then uncovered, sprinkled with the cheese, and baked again until the cheese becomes lightly browned. Once done, pan haggerty is left to cool slightly, and it&rsquo;s then served while still warm. It is believed that the name of the dish is an English pronunciation of a Celtic or French name. Pan haggerty is especially popular as comfort food on cold and rainy days.

Pan haggerty

Italy

Found throughout southern Italy, parmigiana di melanzane is a type of gratinated vegetable casserole traditionally made of fried or grilled slices of eggplant layered with basil-flavored tomato sauce and topped with one or more cheeses, such as mozzarella, pecorino Siciliano, scamorza, and caciocavallo Silano. Contrary to popular belief, parmigiana has nothing to do with parmigiano Reggiano cheese, even though it is used in many recipes as it makes for a crunchier crust. Nor, in fact, does it have any connection with the city of Parma whatsoever. In fact, the name of this scrumptious summer dish supposedly stems from parmisciana, the word for &ldquo;Persian&rdquo; in the Sicilian dialect, and it is often suggested that the word is rooted in the Arabic badhnajan or Turkish patlıcan, both of which mean &ldquo;eggplant&rdquo;. Although the eggplant was introduced to Italy by the Arabs as early as the 8th century, the parmigiana we know today may have originated in Sicily at around the 16th century, when tomatoes were first brought to Italy from the New World by the Spaniards. Later, the eggplant casserole spread across the country, taking on a version of its own in each region. Regardless of its true origins and the many different takes on the classic recipe, parmigiana di melanzane remains Southern Italian comfort food at its best, and is one of the most popular Italian dishes today.

Parmigiana

This famous eggplant casserole is made throughout Italy, but the Calabrian version is particularly rich and delicious. Depending on the region, parmigiana is usually prepared with layers of fried or grilled slices of eggplant topped with basil-flavored tomato sauce and local cheese, but this recipe is additionally enriched with boiled eggs and salsiccia calabrese, the tasty Calabrian sausage flavored with fennel seeds. Parmigiana alla calabrese is usually prepared with provola, mozzarella, and grated pecorino, while the final local touch is hidden in the tomato sauce, prepared with olive oil, tomatoes, and the most appreciated Italian onions - the famous Calabrian cipolla di Tropea.

Parmigiana alla calabrese

This version of eggplant parmigiana is the most popular outside of Italy. Hailing from Campania, this variation on a dish is made with eggplants, olive oil, onions, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella or fior di latte cheese, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. The eggplants are peeled, sliced, and shortly fried, then arranged in a baking dish over the tomato sauce along with the cheese, basil leaves, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. The layers are repeated, and the final one should end with tomato sauce and grated cheese. The dish is baked until the surface becomes crisp, and it is then served, ideally at room temperature.