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Cheapism / DALL-E 3

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Cheapism / DALL-E 3

Beyond the Bowl

It's 5 p.m., you're feeling uninspired to cook anything inventive, and a lone can of cream of mushroom soup at the back of the pantry is giving you the side-eye. Before you dump it into a pot and settle on mushroom soup for dinner, take a look at some of our favorite cream of mushroom recipes. Each recipe uses the can as a starting point to create a delicious, affordable meal. The best part? You'll find most of the other ingredients in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. 

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1. Chicken Tetrazzini

Is chicken tetrazzini the ultimate comfort food? We certainly think it's up there. This recipe uses cream of mushroom soup to lock in the casserole's savory profile, along with linguine, chicken broth, shredded chicken, and plenty of cheese.


Recipe:I Wash You Dry

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2. Dump-and-Bake Chicken Mushroom Casserole

Cream of mushroom soup is the star of the show in this decadent dish. Creamy, cheesy, and ready to go in under an hour, this casserole uses one can of condensed cream of mushroom soup (the recipe suggests Campbell’s Healthy Request version). The addition of sour cream, milk, and chicken broth ensures that the casserole won't dry out as you're baking it.


Recipe:The Seasoned Mom

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3. Buttermilk-Mushroom Pork Chops

Yes, this recipe calls for a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, but it also uses a pound of fresh mushrooms to really bring home the umami flavor. The mushroom sauce is ladled over succulent pork chops and egg noodles for a hearty, cold weather-approved meal. BRB while we make this immediately.


Recipe:Taste of Home


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4. Slow Cooker Beef Burgundy

Got a slow cooker? If you're looking for a set-it-and-forget-it meal, beef Burgundy made in a slow cooker is a solid choice. You'll need two cans of cream of mushroom soup for this recipe, along with three pounds of cubed stew beef (consider this an opportunity to visit your favorite butcher shop). The recipe also calls for fresh mushrooms, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and red wine, the last of which you should definitely drink alongside your finished stew.


Recipe: Maria's Mixing Bowl


Related: 21 Campbell's Soup Recipes for a Quick and Easy Meal


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5. Hot Honey Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Cream of mushroom soup in mashed potatoes? Sure, why not. This recipe makes for a great vegetarian side dish, and features sweet potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, butter, milk, and thyme leaves. Oh, and one final kicker of an ingredient: five tablespoons of hot honey


Recipe:Campbell's


Related: 52 Best Sweet Potato Recipes To Try All Year Long

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6. Classic Green Bean Casserole

To know her is to love her: green bean casserole, a staple on every table at Thanksgiving. Fortunately, you don't have to be celebrating Turkey Day to whip up this classic. Just bust out a can of mushroom soup; stir in green beans, heavy cream, onions, and cheese; top with more onions and cheese; and bake it in the oven. Turkey and family drama not required.


Recipe: Southern Living


Related: Casserole Recipes That Don’t Require a Can of Soup

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7. Tuna Casserole

I think we've established at this point that cream of mushroom soup and casseroles are a match made in heaven. Tuna casserole is no exception: The comfort food favorite calls for two cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup, plus egg noodles, a couple cans of tuna, frozen peas, and cheddar cheese. Top it all off with a breadcrumb crust and a smattering of chopped parsley.


Recipe: Preppy Kitchen

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8. Easy Mushroom Stroganoff

Want to use up that can of cream of mushroom and have dinner on the table in 30 minutes? Consider this stroganoff recipe, which uses lean ground beef, fresh mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and other hearty ingredients to create a warm, satisfying family meal. Ladle it over egg noodles and hope that there are leftovers so you can enjoy this dish the next day, too.


Recipe: Spend With Pennies


Related: Cheap and Easy Beef Recipes You Can Make for Dinner


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9. Swiss Vegetable Medley

This veggie-stuffed recipe makes use of common ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen. Dig out a bag of frozen veggies, pair it with a can of cream of mushroom soup, and stir in cheese, sour cream, pepper, and French-fried onions. After it bakes, you'll have a hearty, healthy casserole ready to serve — and will have made some room in your freezer.


Recipe: Better Homes & Gardens

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10. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Grab a family-sized can of cream of mushroom soup to make this decadent risotto, which also uses just over three cups of cremini mushrooms. When spruced up with some fresh herbs and garnished with Parmesan cheese, risotto makes for an impressive but easy meal that you can serve at both a dinner party or as a family meal.


Recipe: Tasty

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11. Tater Tot Casserole

A casserole starring tater tots? Say no more. We're all in on this carbo-loaded dish that uses tater tots, bacon grease, and cream of mushroom soup, among other ingredients (hey, we didn't say it was healthy). Kids will love it; adults will pretend to be horrified but secretly love it, too. Check out some of our favorite frozen tater tots to use in this recipe.


Recipe: Adventures of Mel


Related: Tacos, Pizza, and More Meals Masquerading as Casseroles

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12. Creamy Rice and Mushroom Stuffed Bell Peppers

The filling inside stuffed peppers can often end up dry and crumbly, but using cream of mushroom and cream of celery in this recipe safeguards against that. Each pepper is stuffed with rice, mushrooms, cheese, and a host of spices, making for a flavorful vegetarian meal.


Recipe: Dude That Cookz

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13. Easy Turkey à la King

We love this recipe because it makes use of leftover turkey and common pantry items, including cream of mushroom soup. The only thing you might have to pick up at the grocery store is a jar of pimientos, which lend a gently heat to the dish.


Recipe: The Spruce Eats