4 Easy Ways to Thicken a Casserole - wikiHow (2024)

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1Adding Starch

2Using Thickening Nuts and Seeds

3Removing Excess Liquid

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Co-authored byMarkeicha Dulaney

Last Updated: April 25, 2024References

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A casserole is an easy and delicious dish that's perfect for when you are craving something warm and hearty. Although it's simple to put together and bake in the oven, it can sometimes turn out too liquidy. Thankfully, it's easy to thicken a casserole by adding typical starches, cooking with thickening nuts and seeds, or even just removing the excess liquid.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding Starch

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  1. 1

    Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour. Add some flour to your pan after you've browned the meat and before adding any liquid. This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness.[1]

    • Use oatmeal four if you have a gluten allergy.
    • You can also add your seasonings to the flour and toss the meat in it before cooking it.
  2. 2

    Make a roux. A roux is made with equal parts butter and wheat flour. First, cook the butter over medium heat until thoroughly heated. Slowly add in the flour while whisking. Continue whisking about 2-3 minutes after all the flour has been added. Combine this paste with the base liquid of your casserole before adding it to the casserole dish.

    • 1 ounce (28g) of butter and 1 ounce (28g) of flour should be enough to thicken 1 US pint (2.0c) of liquid.[2]
    • For a vegan version, substitute oil instead of butter.[3]

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  3. 3

    Mix up a beurre manié if you don't want to cook your thickener. A beurre manié is similar to a roux except it does not require any cooking. Simply whisk equal parts butter and flour together.[4] Then, roll the thick paste into little teaspoon-sized balls. Add one ball to your casserole at a time, waiting about a minute before adding another one, until you get the right thickness.[5]

    • If you make too much beurre manié, you can also freeze the remaining balls and use them later.
  4. 4

    Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken.[6] Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.[7] Then, let the casserole finish baking.

    • You can also substitute chickpea flour for cornstarch. Chickpea flour is an excellent thickener for savory dishes.[8]
  5. 5

    Thicken a dairy-free casserole with arrowroot powder. You can also use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch. Arrowroot starch does not combine well with dairy, but is an extremely effective thickener for dairy-free dishes.[9]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Thickening Nuts and Seeds

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  1. 1

    Use chia seeds for extra nutritional benefits. Chia seeds expand and thicken when added to water. They are also packed with protein, omega-3s, and fiber. Mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 13 cup (79ml) water. Wait 15 minutes for the mixture to thicken, then slowly add to the casserole just before it's finished baking in the oven.[10]

    • Chia seeds are also rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins.
  2. 2

    Add ground flax seeds if you need an extra strong thickener. Flax seed absorbs water quickly and you only need a small amount to make a big difference. Grind the flax seeds in a food processor or coffee grinder and add them little by little directly to the casserole just before it's finished baking. Try adding 1 tablespoon of flaxseed per cup of casserole liquid.[11]

    • If you don't want to grind the flax seeds yourself, you can also buy them already ground.
  3. 3

    Try raw cashews for a smooth consistency. Cashews are great for thickening vegan recipes because of their creamy consistency. Use ¼ cup of cashews for every cup of casserole liquid.[12] Soak the cashews in water overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the water off and blend in a blender. Then, add them directly to your casserole broth before baking.[13]

    • If you are pressed for time and can't soak the cashews overnight, bring a pot of water to boil. Remove it from the heat and soak your cashews in the water for half an hour.[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Excess Liquid

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  1. 1

    Strain the liquid from the casserole after cooking. If you have a lot of liquidy broth in your casserole, you can gently pour it out of the casserole dish after cooking. To do this, put a lid over the casserole dish. Leave a small slit on one side and pick up the dish with oven mitts. Gently pour the liquid through the slit, trying not to disturb the other elements in the casserole.

    • You don't necessarily have to get rid of the extra liquid. Try pouring it into a pot and simmer on medium heat until it reduces and thickens. You can then add it back to the casserole.[15]
  2. 2

    Leave it in the oven longer if there's only a little extra liquid. Sometimes the best way to thicken a casserole is to simply let the heat of the oven do the work. If you think it only needs to a little extra thickening, leave it in the oven for an extra 5-10 minutes.[16]

    • Check with the other ingredients in your casserole to make sure you can cook it a little longer. You don't want the top of the casserole to burn or the vegetables to get too soft if you leave it in the oven longer.
  3. 3

    Let your dish thicken as it cools if you don't plan to eat it right away. Your casserole will naturally thicken as it cools. If you plan to have leftovers, or you are making a casserole that you will refrigerate and eat later, letting it cool may be all you need to get the right thickness.[17]

    • If you already have an extra thick casserole that you want save for leftovers, remember to add a little broth or water to it before you store it since it will get even thicker as it cools.
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Sample Thickeners

List of Thickening Agents for Casseroles

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  • Question

    How can I thicken a casserole without using flour?

    Markeicha Dulaney
    Personal Chef

    Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association).

    Markeicha Dulaney

    Personal Chef

    Expert Answer

    Consider the type of casserole you're preparing, such as a potato casserole. In this case, flour may not be necessary, as the potatoes themselves serve as a natural thickening agent. Layering the casserole with a touch of heavy cream and cheese further enhances its thickness without requiring any flour. For a sweet potato casserole where the potatoes are whipped or pureed, you can substitute flour with alternatives like coconut flour or oatmeal flour if there are allergy considerations in the recipe.

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      Tips

      • Try reducing your casserole before adding extra thickeners. If you already used a thickener in the cooking process, sometimes it just needs a little extra time to work. Give it an extra 10-15 minutes before you try to add anything else.[18]

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      • If you've found you've accidentally added too much of a thickening agent, do add more liquid to balance it out. Beware, however, that every time you add something to your casserole you're altering the flavor.[19]

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      Warnings

      • Don't just add flour or cornstarch or other dry goods to a hot casserole. It will not be able to dissolve fully and can make the sauce lumpy.[20]

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      • Don't estimate the amounts when making a slurry, roux, or beurre manié. Using equal parts butter and flour will give the best consistency to your casserole.[21]

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Markeicha Dulaney.

      More References (12)

      1. https://www.saveur.com/ch-ch-ch-chia#page-2
      2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/substitutes-for-cornstarch#section6
      3. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/creamy-vegan-not-clam-chowder/
      4. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/creamy-vegan-not-clam-chowder/
      5. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/creamy-vegan-not-clam-chowder/
      6. https://www.deliaonline.com/how-to-cook/meat/the-principles-of-casserole-cookery
      7. https://www.onehappyhousewife.com/sweet-potato-casserole-instant-pot/
      8. https://blog.chefworks.com/uniforms/thicken-that-soup-or-sauce-the-right-way/
      9. https://blog.chefworks.com/uniforms/thicken-that-soup-or-sauce-the-right-way/
      10. https://blog.chefworks.com/uniforms/thicken-that-soup-or-sauce-the-right-way/
      11. https://blog.chefworks.com/uniforms/thicken-that-soup-or-sauce-the-right-way/
      12. https://blog.chefworks.com/uniforms/thicken-that-soup-or-sauce-the-right-way/

      About This Article

      4 Easy Ways to Thicken a Casserole - wikiHow (24)

      Co-authored by:

      Markeicha Dulaney

      Personal Chef

      This article was co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney. Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association). This article has been viewed 68,893 times.

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      Co-authors: 10

      Updated: April 25, 2024

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      4 Easy Ways to Thicken a Casserole - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      4 Easy Ways to Thicken a Casserole - wikiHow? ›

      Make a cornstarch slurry for a fast and easy thickener.

      What is the best way to thicken a casserole? ›

      The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

      What to do if casserole is too runny? ›

      Make sure you mix a solution of cornstarch and water cold, and then add it to your hot dish. Same can be said for flour. A flour and water paste (desk or wasteland spoon of flour then upload cold water until it is a liquid paste) delivered to the casserole will thicken it.

      How to thicken stew without cornstarch? ›

      Mix in potatoes.

      Potato starch naturally thickens soups and stews and can be a gluten-free option if you're looking to make a gluten-free stew. Add cubed potatoes to the stew to absorb excess liquid, or add potato flakes, mashed potatoes, or a potato purée to thicken your stew.

      Can you add flour to hot liquid to thicken? ›

      Adding a Flour Slurry to the Sauce

      Be sure to use cold water, since warm or hot water will cause the flour to clump together. If you want a thicker sauce, add a little more flour.

      What is better to thicken, stew flour or cornstarch? ›

      Cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. When a gravy, sauce, soup or stew recipe calls for flour, use half as much cornstarch to thicken. To thicken hot liquids, first mix cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into hot liquid until blended.

      Does egg thicken casserole? ›

      Thicken with Eggs

      First you need to drizzle a small amount of the hot liquid onto the egg, whisking vigorously as you pour. Then stir the egg back into the pan and heat gently until it starts to thicken. This is a similar method to the one we use in our Carbonara recipe!

      How to thicken casserole in the oven without flour? ›

      Starch- Cornstarch, potato, tapioca, rice, etc, all of these provide starch which, mixed with liquid and heated, gel and thicken. Fiber- Beans, onions, etc. Cooked and then mashed or blended will thicken a stew considerably.

      What is a natural thickener for stew? ›

      The flour helps to thicken a stew as it cooks. Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil.

      What to do if stew is too watery? ›

      Use cornflour or cornstarch.

      Stir them together to make a paste, then add the paste to the stew. Stir the stew until the paste is fully mixed. Cook for 2 minutes over medium heat to allow the cornstarch to mix into the soup. Check the consistency of the stew and add more paste if necessary.

      Will tomato paste thicken beef stew? ›

      Ingredients in slow cooker beef stew

      Beef broth: you can use beef broth or beef bone broth in this recipe. Dry red wine: my recommendations are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Tomato paste: you'll use some tomato paste to help thicken the broth and to give it a nice tang of sweetness.

      What is the healthiest thickening agent? ›

      Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories. Xanthan and guar gum are much stronger thickeners than cornstarch, but they can be harder to obtain and use.

      What thickens better than cornstarch? ›

      Glucomannan

      It's a far more powerful thickening agent by amount, so use about half the amount of glucomannan as you would cornstarch. About one teaspoon to every cup of liquid is a common suggestion. Since glucomannan tends to clump in high heat, mix it with cold water before adding it to your dish.

      How to thicken sauce naturally? ›

      Use one tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon cold water (aka a cornstarch slurry) for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix the cornstarch and water together, then pour into your sauce. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

      How do you thicken a casserole? ›

      Whisk together equal parts cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl. Use one tablespoon of cornstarch per cup of liquid you would like to thicken. Stir out all the lumps. A few minutes before your casserole is done, add it a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness.

      How to thicken bolognese? ›

      Cornstarch: Make a slurry of half water, half cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener, so start by whisking in no more than 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of simmering sauce; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, check the thickness, and repeat with more slurry as needed.

      How much flour to thicken 1 cup of liquid? ›

      Two level tablespoons of flour will thicken 1 cup of liquid to a medium consistency. If thickening with flour, it is usually best to mix some fat with the flour which makes a roux. When cooked for a few minutes, the flavor improves. usually an equal volume of fat is used or a little less.

      What happens if you put too much cornstarch in stew? ›

      So if you added too much cornstarch, you can always dilute it. with a little bit more chicken stock or water. If you're thinking it too much, it looks like pudding.

      What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

      Add Flour Or Cornstarch

      You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

      How do you thicken watery stew in a slow cooker? ›

      A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of a cold liquid with cornstarch. It is used as a thickening agent, and is particularly common in Asian sauces. As a rule of thumb, dissolve 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry to your sauce as it simmers in the slow cooker.

      How do you fix a casserole that is too dry? ›

      How do you moisten a dry casserole? Add a little water or milk to the top of the it before reheating. Allow the liquid to seep in between the casserole and the baking dish, without overflowing. Cover the top with aluminum foil.

      How do you thicken a casserole on slimming world? ›

      an easy way to thicken any sauce is to mix a couple tbsp of corn starch with cold water or broth and add it to you sauce, it will thicken up as it heats.

      What does cornstarch do in a casserole? ›

      Use as a Thickening Agent

      Here's how it works: when cornstarch is added to a recipe, the starch molecules work to absorb water and thicken the mixture. When heated, those molecules swell and consume even more of the liquid in the recipe.

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