Casseroles comeback captures industry attention

Casseroles, those tasty amalgams of inexpensive cuts of meat, potatoes or other starches, vegetables and condensed soup, are making a comeback as our pocketbooks shrink. No better evidence of the casserole's resurrection exists than ads for key ingredients such as Velveeta, Campbell's condensed soups and Spam.

According to Advertising Age, companies including Kraft and Campbell have recognized the trend and are allocating advertising dollars to promote the lowly casserole as a staple for the budget-minded. In a recent promotion, Kraft challenged five food bloggers to create casseroles, using Velveeta, that would feed four with leftovers, all for under $10. The winning entry was a shrimp stroganoff.