Tikka Masala Casserole – A new take on an old recipe

First off, I am sorry for my lack of posts as of late. Since around Christmas I have not been feeling well. Multiple negative covid tests, strep test was also negative (even though my throat felt like fire), and just a basic feeling of my head exploding from sinus pressure. My husband has been a literal rockstar. He kept our house running, the kids fed, and me from dying. He even made dinner last night as going to the doctors and there for an actual three hours literally took out ALL of my energy. I slept through dinner and that amazing husband of mine fed our family. I appreciate him so much! Tonight, I made a Pork Tikka Masala Casserole that was so hearty and delicious.

pork tikka masala casserole with steamed vegetables on white plate

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Published January 4, 2022
Updated March 30, 2022
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Oh, joyous dinner

Today, at around 9-oclock, I felt like the fog lifted, my brain was no longer in dire fear of exploding, and I could finally swallow without needles piercing my throat. As of now, I am grateful for doctors, strong antibiotics, rest and Tylenol. I have had sinus infections in the past, being severely allergic to dust mites, this happens often. However, this severe sinus infection that I am still recovering from was by far the worst I have ever experienced. And that counts the month of strep when our oldest son Samuel, became a carrier for it in 4K.

Tonight, was the first-time making dinner in about a week. Honest. My sinus infection was that bad. And I love to cook, so this was odd to literally NOT want to get off the couch and feed our family. As I needed to slowly make my way back to the kitchen cooking, I chose an easy meal. One that can be prepped and into the oven to cook in under twenty minutes. It is delicious, creamy, packed with flavor and a win with kids.

One of our favorite meals is Tikka Masala. Eating Indian inspired meals is so much fun because you cannot mess them up. The flavors are bold, the meat cooks long and ends up tender, and you can have it sweet or spicy or both.

tikka masala casserole cooke and on table

Cost for this recipe

Below is the cost breakdown for this Tikka Masala Casserole Recipe.

2 pounds pork tenderloin $11.58, resulting in this tenderloin costing $4.29 per pound.
heavy cream $1.00
Onion $0.40
Chicken stock $0.80
White rice $0.60

So, the total for this meal, in a 9 X 13-inch baking dish was roughly $14.38, and that is all ALDI prices in Wisconsin right now.

Tikka Masala Casserole Recipe

Ingredients for Tikka Masala Casserole

2 1/2 pounds Pork Tenderloin
1 onion
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp sweet curry powder
1 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cup white rice

all the ingredients for tikka masala casserole

Directions for Tikka Masala Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place a large pan over medium-high heat and then warm 1 Tbsp oil.
2. Sear all sides of the pork tenderloin turning it with a tong.

pork tenderloin 2.7lbs

3. Spray a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and then set aside.

casserole dish on countertop

4. Dice onion on a cutting board and then set aside. I had carrots laying on the cutting board with the hope that they would have been cooked into this dish. This was a lost case for the carrots as they did not get peeled, diced or added to the dinner.

The sad carrots went back into the fridge to hang out for another day while this momma gets the energy for more intense activities. Like carrot peeling.
I also used a shallot that was left over from a meal last week, and it was just diced and cooked with the onion.

onion and shallot and carrots on white cutting board

5. When tenderloin is seared on all sides, set it into the prepared baking dish.

So many of my images are blurry and I am wondering now if the camera settings are all messed up. This will be a job for tomorrow! Camera tune-up day. I did have once where our middle son, Matthew who hates pictures, smacked his hand on the lens at Christmas… Maybe he left a handprint or something awful. Have kids they say… It will be fun they say… Am I right?!
But seriously, we have four kids and I LOVE THEM SO DANG MUCH.

seared pork tenderloin in casserole dish

6. In the cast iron pan, place the onions in and then cook until translucent.

oninos and shallots cooking in cast iron pan

7. Once the onions are tender, add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, salt, pepper and 2 tsp sweet curry powder, then mix well and do not burn or over cook. This is just to bloom the spices, not cook them.

add spices to cooked onion and shallots

8. Into the cast iron pan with the seasonings and onions, add 1 cup heavy cream slowly and then stir to mix, slowly add it because it may steam and bubble up a lot.

add heavy cream to the pan with seasonings for tikka masala casserole sauce

9. Add remaining heavy cream and chicken stock, bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Just do not take your eyes off this pan once you have 2 cups of heavy cream in there. You literally only want it to start to bubble and get warm, it can froth up VERY quick. As mine did and Samuel was like, “mom, that is a BIG mess”.

It was a mess. It took a very long time to clean up. Drips even went down between the glass on the front of the stove. If you know how to clean that, please leave a comment! I will search tonight with the hopes that I can get it cleaned.

10. Carefully pour the Tikka Masala mixture over the tenderloins in the casserole dish. I ended up cutting the tenderloins into 2-inch sections so it would cook faster and more evenly.

pork in casserole dish with tikka masala sauce

11. Measure and add white rice to the Tikka Masala Casserole and then stir to combine. Finally, bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
Typically, we eat Tikka Masala with quinoa or rice made separately, but I was dead tired, and this rice hack was my lifesaver today. The rice came out so creamy in the sauce and soaked up so much flavor from the seasonings.

rice added to tikka masala casserole

Finally, remove the Tikka Masala Casserole from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with steamed vegetables if you desire! Taking the easy route tonight, a bag of mixed vegetables was popped into the microwave. Viola! Dinner served. And there was literally just enough for Tyler to have lunch leftovers for tomorrow. What a deal!

As I have just updated this post, I would like to share that my tiredness was real and two days later turned out to have tested positive for Covid-19. I ended up losing my taste and smell for a week in addition to being basically bedridden for a week and was exhausted, our kids were also sick, my husband Tyler was home from work. I guess, when your body is trying to tell you something, listening is important. Today is March 30, 2022, and I can honestly say my taste and smell are still quite wonky.
~Monica

cooked pork tikka masala casserole
served on a white plate with vegetables

Recipe for Pork Tikka Masala Casserole

Tikka Masala Casserole – A new take on an old recipe

Recipe for an easy Pork Tikka Masala Casserole that makes quick work of dinner. Add rice to the casserole for a hearty meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 1 9 X 13-inch pan

Equipment

  • 9 X 13-inch bake dish
  • Large Saucepan
  • Cutting board
  • Non-stick spray

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 pounds Pork Tenderloin
  • 1 Onion
  • 2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 2 tsp Sweet Curry Powder
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock
  • 1 1/2 cup White Rice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place a large pan over medium-high heat and warm 1 Tbsp oil.
  • Sear all sides of the pork tenderloin turning it in the pan with a tong.
  • Spray a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and then set aside.
  • When tenderloin is seared on all sides, set it into the prepared baking dish.
  • In the large pan, place the onions in and cook until translucent, around 3-5 minutes.
  • Once the onions are tender, add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, salt, pepper and 2 tsp sweet curry powder.
  • Mix well and do not burn or over cook as this is just to bloom the spices, not cook them.
  • Into the pan with the seasonings and onions, add 1 cup heavy cream slowly and then stir to mix.
  • Add remaining heavy cream and chicken stock, then bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Then carefully pour the mixture over the tenderloins in the casserole dish.
  • Measure and add white rice to the pan and stir to combine.
  • Bake the Tikka Masala Casserole in the oven for 45 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and then let the Tikka Masala Casserole rest for 5 minutes. Serve with steamed vegetables if you desire!
Keyword Casserole, Dinner, Recipe, Tikka Masala Casserole

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Published by Monica's Scratch Kitchen

I have not always had the skills to cook and bake from scratch. As a young wife, I bought every meal frozen or boxed and presented it to my husband with a flourish, believing myself a decadent cook. As our budget shrunk, and our family grew, I looked for ways to stretch our money to nourish our kids with the best for their hungry appetites. Hoping to find recipes and meals that they would love to eat. Through the last 5 years, I have learned so many cooking and baking lessons, and experienced many wins and failures. Come along with me on this journey as I share my recipes that work, how to make them on the cheap, and my tips and tricks to get my kids to eat homemade deliciousness! I will also share updates to our house that we have done in the last year since our move. With one income, we do most of the work ourselves and with amazing family and friends to help out, cutting costs but keeping style and money in the bank! I am a wife and mother of 3 boys and 1 princess. When I was a kid, I remember being asked what I wanted to be or do when I grew up. My response was, "a mom", and I am proud to grow up and be a mom to 4 amazing kids! Samuel is 11, Matthew is 8, Levi is 4, and Elliana is almost 2. We have been blessed to have kids who love to explore foods, to try new recipes, and enjoy helping us around the house. With 4 kids, you better believe they help clean! My husband Tyler and I have been married almost 13 years. We love our kids, we love outdoors, camping, canoeing, grilling, watching movies, and just hanging out making memories. A few years ago I gifted Tyler with his own "menu" book, where we write meals and foods we have loved to eat. Weekly our family decides what our meals will be and I make up a grocery list with what we need. It literally is my favorite chore! I love to shop, so shopping for food on a budget is my biggest win! Thank you for taking the time and visiting my site, Subscribe so you do not miss a post! Keep coming back to hear about new recipes, updates on our home, fun times with our kids, and how to make homemade deliciousness! ~Monica

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