The Thanksgiving That Changed Everything
How six strangers, one chaotic dinner, and a lot of casseroles created Easy Casserole
November 22, 2018. Chicago. A French chef named Hervé decides to host his first American Thanksgiving.
What could possibly go wrong?
Spoiler: EVERYTHING.
The Invitation (Or: How to Accidentally Start a Food Revolution)
Hervé had been living in Chicago for three years. As a classically trained French chef, he'd spent those years quietly judging American cuisine. Casseroles? "Peasant food," he'd say with a dismissive wave. Thanksgiving? "A holiday centered around dry turkey and canned cranberry sauce? Non merci."
But then his wife Marie said the words that would change everything: "Hervé, you can't keep complaining about American food if you've never actually tried to understand it."
Challenge accepted.
He decided to host Thanksgiving. Not just any Thanksgiving—a FRENCH-AMERICAN FUSION Thanksgiving. He'd invite his neighbors, his colleagues, anyone who wanted to come. And he'd prove that with proper technique, even American casseroles could be... tolerable.
The Guests (Or: Six People Who Should Never Be in a Kitchen Together)
The invitation said "potluck." Hervé assumed this meant people would bring wine and maybe some bread. He did NOT expect what actually showed up.
Jessica Arrives 🌸
What she brought: A massive dish of mac and cheese. Not just any mac and cheese—FIVE-CHEESE mac and cheese with a buttered breadcrumb top that could make angels weep.
What she said: "Hi! I'm Jessica! I brought comfort in casserole form! Also, I don't know you, but your invitation said 'everyone welcome' so HERE I AM!"
Hervé's reaction: [stares at the golden, bubbling masterpiece] "This is... this is actually beautiful. Mon Dieu, what have you done to cheese?"
Meet Jessica, the Comfort Food Queen →
Sarah & Arlo Arrive 🥗🥒
What they brought: A quinoa-vegetable casserole that looked suspiciously healthy. Roasted brussels sprouts. A kale salad. You know, THOSE people.
What they said: "We're Sarah and Arlo! We heard there'd be casseroles and we LOVE casseroles! Well, healthy casseroles. Is that turkey free-range? Organic?"
Jessica's reaction: [whispers to Hervé] "Did they just bring KALE to Thanksgiving?"
Hervé's reaction: [whispers back] "I respect the vegetables. But also, WHERE IS THE BUTTER?"
Meet Sarah, the Healthy Expert → Meet Arlo, the Veggie Master →
Alexandra Arrives 🍰
What she brought: Three—yes, THREE—dessert casseroles. Pumpkin bread pudding. Apple crisp casserole. Sweet potato casserole with a pecan-praline top that belonged in a museum.
What she said: "Okay so I know Thanksgiving has savory dishes but have you CONSIDERED that dessert casseroles are the superior casseroles? Also I'm Alexandra and I will die on this hill."
Everyone's reaction: [stunned silence as they stare at the most beautiful desserts they've ever seen]
Jessica: "I want to be your best friend."
Meet Alexandra, the Dessert Wizard →
Imène Arrives 🌶️
What she brought: A sweet potato casserole that smelled like heaven. Cinnamon, cardamom, a hint of heat. NO marshmallows. Just perfectly spiced, beautifully layered perfection.
What she said: [quietly] "Um, hi. I'm Imène. I brought... sweet potatoes. I hope that's okay. I added some spices. Is that... is that okay?"
Hervé: [takes one bite] [eyes go wide] "WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?!"
Imène: [smiles shyly] "Just cardamom and respect for vegetables."
Meet Imène, the Spice Master →The Great Thanksgiving Disaster of 2018
6:00 PM. Everything was perfect. The table was set. The turkey was resting. The casseroles were warming. Everyone was getting along. Hervé was actually starting to think this might work.
And then the oven died.
Not "stopped working." DIED. Sparked. Smoked. Made a sound like a mechanical death rattle. Just... gave up on life.
"The turkey is cold. Half the casseroles are lukewarm. The desserts need to be reheated. And we have twelve people arriving in fifteen minutes."
— Hervé, experiencing his first true American Thanksgiving crisisWhat Happened Next:
The Night Everything Changed
Picture this: Six strangers running through Chicago in November, carrying hot casserole dishes like their lives depend on it.
Jessica's apartment became casserole headquarters. Sarah and Arlo's place handled all the vegetables. Alexandra's double ovens saved the desserts. Imène's slow cooker rescued the turkey. Hervé coordinated everything via group text like a French general commanding troops.
Two hours later, they reconvened at Hervé's apartment. Sweaty. Exhausted. Covered in various food stains. But they'd done it. They'd saved Thanksgiving.
And then something magical happened.
They sat down. All six of them. Around Hervé's table. With their rescued casseroles. And someone—no one remembers who—said:
"You know what? This was way more fun than a normal Thanksgiving."
They started talking. About food. About casseroles. About how everyone has their own approach—French technique, comfort food, healthy eating, vegetables, desserts, spices—but they all loved the same thing: bringing people together over a damn good casserole.
Hervé realized: American casseroles aren't peasant food. They're communal food. Food that brings people together.
Sarah realized: Healthy food doesn't have to be boring. It just needs the right approach.
Alexandra realized: Dessert casseroles are valid and everyone else can fight her.
Easy Casserole is Born
It was 11 PM. They were still at the table. The food was long gone. They were on their third bottle of wine. And Jessica said:
"We should do this again. But like... on purpose. And share it with people."
Hervé, who had spent the entire evening having his culinary worldview dismantled and rebuilt, looked around the table. At Jessica with her butter enthusiasm. At Sarah and Arlo with their vegetable wisdom. At Alexandra with her dessert genius. At shy Imène with her spice magic that could make a grown man cry.
And he said: "What if we created something together? A place where every type of casserole has value. Where people can find exactly what they need, whether it's comfort, health, tradition, or innovation."
Jessica: "I'M IN!"
Sarah: "We're in!"
Arlo: "Absolutely in!"
Alexandra: "Only if we have a dessert section."
Imène: [quietly] "I'd like that."
Hervé: "Then it's decided. We call it... Easy Casserole."
They shook hands. They clinked glasses. And six months later, Easy Casserole launched.
Meet the Easy Casserole Team
Six people who accidentally became best friends over broken appliances and casseroles
Hervé 🍷
The French Chef
Went from casserole skeptic to casserole evangelist in one chaotic evening.
Read His Story →
Jessica 🌸
The Comfort Food Queen
Believes butter fixes everything. Has yet to be proven wrong.
Read Her Story →
Sarah 🥗
The Healthy Expert
Proves that healthy casseroles don't have to taste like punishment.
Read Her Story →
Arlo 🥒
The Veggie Master
Turned Sarah from vegetable-hater to vegetable-lover. It's basically magic.
Read His Story →
Alexandra 🍰
The Dessert Wizard
Will fight anyone who says dessert casseroles aren't real casseroles.
Read Her Story →
Imène 🌶️
The Spice Master
Quiet genius who revolutionized Thanksgiving with cardamom.
Read Her Story →What We Do Today
That chaotic Thanksgiving taught us something important: casseroles aren't just food. They're how we take care of each other.
Our Mission
Make every type of casserole accessible to everyone. Whether you're a French chef or someone who burns water, we've got you covered.
Our Values
Respect every approach. Celebrate every style. From butter-loaded comfort food to veggie-packed healthy meals to spice-forward fusion—all casseroles are valid.
Our Promise
Every recipe is tested by real people in real kitchens. If it's on Easy Casserole, it works. We guarantee it.
Join Our Casserole Community
Six years ago, a broken oven brought six strangers together. Today, we're a community of thousands who believe in the power of a good casserole.