Pork casserole
This creamy pork casserole, which is also known as paprika casserole or Viking casserole, is bound to be a family favourite. With our quick pork casserole recipe, the wonderful combination of tenderloin, bacon, cocktail sausages, and mushrooms in a creamy tomato sauce is surprisingly easy and fast to prepare. As such, this hearty casserole is perfect for busy weeknights. Garnish it with parsley and serve it with rice for a tasty and warming dinner.
Ingredients
Pork tenderloin casserole:
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Butter
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25 g |
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Trimmed pork tenderloin (approx. 400 g), diced into small chunks
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1 |
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Bacon, diced into cubes
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150 g |
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Rinsed mushrooms, whole and diced into halves
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400 g |
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Large red onion (approx. 100 g), cut into thin wedges
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1 |
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Peeled tomatoes (approx. 400 g)
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1 can |
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Coarse salt
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1 tsp |
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Strong paprika
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1 tsp |
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Cocktail sausages
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200 g |
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Double cream
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150 ml |
Garnish:
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Flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
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Serve with
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Rice, boiled
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320 g |
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Tips
If you would like to thicken this creamy pork casserole more than adding cream naturally does, one way to do it is to add a mixture of equal parts cornflour and cold water. Add the mixture to the pork casserole a little at a time as it boils. Keep stirring and add the thickener until the sauce is thick enough.
Tips
It is easy to make this pork casserole in advance since the more time it gets to simmer, the better it will be. Just make sure to not let it boil for too long after adding the sausages to avoid them splitting. Let it simmer for a few hours on the stove and serve it when you are ready.
Questions about pork casserole
Below, learn more about our easy pork casserole recipe by reading our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about it.
How to make pork casserole?
An easy pork and mushroom casserole is perfect for busy nights when you are in the mood for a flavourful meal but do not have many hours to spend on cooking. Start by searing the pork tenderloin and bacon before adding mushrooms and onion wedges as well. Then pour the peeled tomatoes into the saucepan and season with salt and paprika. Let it cook for 10 minutes before adding the last ingredients, cocktail sausages, and cream, heating it through, and seasoning it. Serve garnished with parsley and rice on the side for a hearty, home-cooked meal.
Can you freeze pork casserole?
Yes, you can freeze pork casserole! After allowing it to cool, transfer it to airtight containers and pop them in your freezer. Make sure to leave some room for it to expand slightly as it freezes. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. The best way to enjoy the leftovers is to thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat them either on the stovetop or in the microwave. The slower you reheat the leftover pork tenderloin casserole, the better you preserve its flavour.
Can you reheat pork casserole?
You can certainly reheat pork casserole. If you are reheating all the leftovers you have stored in your fridge, the easiest thing to do is pop it all in a saucepan and heat it on the stove. Reheat it slowly at low heat to retain as much flavour as possible. If you are reheating only a single serving, you may prefer to reheat it for a few minutes in the microwave for ease.
What to serve with pork casserole?
Rice and pork casserole make a great pairing. The rice beautifully soaks up the creamy goodness of the tomato and paprika sauce while retaining its tender texture. Pork casseroles may also be served with boiled or mashed potatoes, couscous, bread, and, of course, a refreshing, crunchy salad. Varying how you serve it helps keep it irresistibly interesting, making it equally delicious every time.
What meat to use for pork casserole?
Different pork casserole recipes may call for different cuts of meat like pork shoulder or sirloin, but you can never go wrong with tenderloin. For a quick pork casserole like ours, you need a tender cut of meat as it will not be cooked for long. The pork tenderloin is, as the name would suggest, one of the most tender cuts of pork. This makes it perfect for quick casseroles on busy weeknights.
Other recipes
Pork tenderloin with mushroom and sausage
With chunks of tenderloin, bacon cubes, small cocktail sausages, and mushrooms, this pork and mushroom casserole is packed with lovely umami flavours. The emphasis on this core taste, that is, umami, makes this a dish with a lot of meaty, savoury goodness and plenty of depth.
The creamy tomato sauce enhances this savouriness and introduces tangy, smoky, and sweet flavours into the mix as well. The peppery freshness of the parsley used to garnish ties it all together.
If you are looking for more delicious recipes like this, we suggest having a look at our recipes for coq au vin, spicy beef casserole, and spicy chilli con carne.
Make a pork tenderloin casserole with quality meat
Making casserole with pork tenderloin is a great choice when you want to serve something tasty with a savoury, creamy sauce, but do not have the time for slow cooking. This tender cut does not need to be cooked as long as other popular cuts like pork shoulder and sirloin and it is, as such, perfect for a quick and easy pork casserole. The mild-flavoured quality meat remains juicy as it cooks ensuring moist and tender chunks of tenderloin throughout.
Enjoy the full tomato flavour and salty bacon
The sweet and tangy tomato sauce in this creamy pork casserole is beautifully complemented by the salty bacon cubes. The chunky sauce, which is enriched by the addition of cream, is balanced by bright red paprika which counters the sweetness with its natural bitterness and provides the dish with its signature, subtle smokiness.
The perfectly creamy comfort food
Our traditional pork casserole with rice is rich without being heavy. The combination of the cooked-down peeled tomatoes and cream gives the dish a deliciously round flavour as well as a great mouthfeel, making it a hearty and comforting meal to suit any season.
Since it is easy to double or even triple this recipe, you may want to cook up a large batch while you are at it and freeze some for later. This way you always have a portion saved for a rainy day. All you need to do is boil rice and serve up this hearty meal in a jiffy.
Experiment with a spicy pork casserole
Play up the flavour of the strong paprika by adding smoky cayenne pepper and spicy red pepper flakes for a spicier pork casserole. An earthy spice like cumin or a peppery herb like basil may also introduce heat as well as added depth.
It may also be spiced up by replacing some of the mild cocktail sausages with flavourful chorizo. This tasty Spanish sausage is sure to add a nice warmth.
You can, of course, mix up our recipe by using wild mushrooms. When you go foraging for your creamy pork and wild mushroom casserole, seek out tasty, easy-identifiable mushrooms like the so-called 'Fool-proof Four', morels, chicken mushrooms, giant puffballs, and chanterelles.
