Organic Connections Peppercorns Black (Organic Whole) - 454g

4-Layer Sirloin Casserole

This ultimate, four-layer casserole is one for the books, recipe books that is. This dish is loaded with so many vegetables, and just the right amount of protein to carry your body through till the next morning! Don’t let the lengthy ingredient list fool you, despite its several layers, this dish is surprisingly easy to make. So get cracking and be sure to savor each and every one of those layers as they come together in one flavourful bite!

Serves 4-6
- Gluten Free   - Dairy Free   - Corn Free   - Egg Free   - Sugar Free

Ingredients:
First Layer
- 2 cups acorn or butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Second Layer
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 ¼ lbs top sirloin steak, cut into thin strips

Third Layer
- 1 yellow onion, sliced thin
- 1 small eggplant, cut into 1/4” thick slices
- 1cup pasta sauce
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2” thick slices
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large tomato, cut into 1/2” thick slices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil

Fourth Layer
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free stone ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup coarsely ground nuts – I used a mixture of almonds and pumpkin seeds
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Turn your oven on to 350F

First Layer: In boiling water, cook your squash for five minutes, or until easily poked with a fork. Remove the water, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in the bottom of a lightly coconut-oiled casserole dish.

Second Layer: In a large frying pan, heat up your coconut oil, and toss in your sirloin strips. To ensure you don’t have overcooked beef, only cook for about one minute on each side, or until the meat is lightly browned. Place beef onto of your squash layer.

Third Layer: In the same frying pan you used to cook your beef, bring all your vegetable to a light sauté for eight minutes. After they’re looking a little tender, add in your dried herbs and pasta sauce, cover with a lid and bring to a simmer for another five minutes. Remove from heat, and pour contents on top of your sirloin layer.

Fourth Layer: In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Crumble the mixture on the casserole for the final layer.

Bake: Place the dish as is, in the middle rack of the oven to bake for an hour, the top should be golden brown and casserole should be heated all the way through.

Make It This Way
Try swapping the squash out for sweet potato or regular potatoes if you prefer. For more of a casserole feel, try mashing the first layer and spreading it evenly on the bottom of the pan before adding the other layers!

Try This
This makes a hearty dish to bring to a potluck, or serve on those extra cold nights!