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1946-1969 - Midwestern home cooks and suburban families.
Swiss steak casserole is a comforting American casserole popular in the Midwest during postwar suburban expansion. Featuring tenderized beef cooked in tomatoes and baked with toppings, it became common in home kitchens, reflecting convenience and frugality of the era.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
25 minutes
Cook time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total time
1 hour 55 minutes
Servings
6
Region
Midwest
Era introduced
1946-1969
Introduced by
Midwestern home cooks and suburban families.
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Post-World War II prosperity and suburban growth fostered a demand for convenient, filling casseroles in the Midwest. Swiss steak, featuring tenderized beef slow-cooked in tomato-based sauce and baked, embodied these needs. The dish grew in popularity for family dinners and potlucks, symbolizing home-front American cooking during the mid-20th century.
Recipe based on mid-20th century Midwest casserole dishes; confirm with era cookbooks.
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