Hotdish

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of casserole typically baked in a single dish that combines a starch, meat, and vegetables, often topped with cheese or a crunchy layer
2. This dish is a regional specialty in the Midwestern United States, particularly notable for its comforting ingredients mixed together
3. A popular potluck meal known for its simplicity and heartiness, featuring varied ingredients like pasta, meats, and a creamy or tomato-based sauce mixed and baked

Etymology: "Hotdish" is a compound of two plain English words: "hot," meaning served warm, and "dish," meaning a prepared food served in a container. The combination names a casserole-style meal, usually baked in a single pan and built from a starch, a protein, a canned soup or sauce, and a topping. The term is most closely associated with the upper Midwest, especially Minnesota and the Dakotas, where it is a standard name for such dishes at church suppers and family tables. Because the word is transparent, its history is mainly about what it describes rather than how it was built. Its literal sense is simply a hot dish, which is exactly what it still means: a food defined by being served warm from the oven rather than by any particular recipe. The regional sense grew out of that plain description, so the name reflects a practical style of cooking rather than a specific ingredient list.

Synonyms: casserole, bake, dish