The Firehouse Special

Name: The Firehouse Special
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 2 casseroles (10 servings each).
Ingredients: 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth; 3 cups uncooked instant rice; 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 2 pounds ground beef; 2 packages (12 ounces each) bulk spicy pork sausage; 1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese; 8 eggs, lightly beaten; 1 envelope onion soup mix; 1 envelope leek soup mix; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

“This versatile dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's great hot and cold, and it tastes even better the second day. Top with salsa or sour cream or both.” —Darrell F Alvord, Boise, Idaho

Ingredients

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
3 cups uncooked instant rice
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 pounds ground beef
2 packages (12 ounces each) bulk spicy pork sausage
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
8 eggs, lightly beaten
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 envelope leek soup mix
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in rice; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a large bowl.
In same skillet, saute mushrooms in remaining butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add to meat mixture. Stir in spinach, cottage cheese, eggs, soup mixes, garlic powder, Creole seasoning and reserved rice mixture.
Divide between two greased 13x9-in. baking dishes; sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Editor's Note

The following spices may be substituted for 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning: 1/4 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder and paprika; and a pinch each of dried thyme, ground cumin and cayenne pepper.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 315 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 136mg cholesterol, 787mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.

Originally published as Duke's Fireman's Special in Taste of Home April/May 2009

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Kasha

Mar 12, 2013

Havent made this for a while, but still good!
mousefullhouse

Oct 14, 2011

This recipe was awesome. It's a great meal to put in the freezer and bake when you don't feel like making dinner.Our whole family loved it and with five kids that's not always easy.We make it quite often and I highly recommend it.
Sugarsugar

Sep 9, 2010

The casserole itself was easy, just had an issue w/the amount of "soup mixes", 2 pkgs made it WAY too salty (and we all know, you can add salt to a dish after it's cooked & you know how it tastes, but you can't go back afterwards & take salt AWAY!) Will not add the 2nd packet of soup mix if I make again.
AFMAMA

Jan 16, 2010

Although this tasted OK, I think it took way to long to prepare and had too many ingredients which made it costly. You can get the same results by adding extras to a box of flavored rice for a quick tasty hot dish at little cost. Sorry.
kenkimron

Jan 14, 2010

First time I made it I cut it in half because I didn't know if we would like it. We loved it, so next time I make it I will make the full recipe. The only thing I will do differently is double the mushrooms and add a can or two of seasoned black beans. It was sooo good!
cloreep

Oct 27, 2009

This is fast becoming a family favorite. My 12-year-old son asks for it every week!
Kasha

Jul 22, 2009

great
Sheri Dye

Apr 8, 2009

My family enjoyed this casserole and it will definitely be in the "favorites" file. I plan to add sweet red peppers next time because it will improve the presentation as well as add flavor. However, it's good just the way it is.