Barley Mushroom Casserole
Barley Mushroom Casserole is a hearty, earthy baked dish featuring pearl barley and a variety of mushrooms, often bound with a savory broth or cream-based sauce. It typically includes onions, garlic, herbs like thyme, and sometimes cheese or breadcrumbs for a golden topping. This comforting casserole has roots in European and American home cooking, particularly popular in regions where barley and wild mushrooms are staple ingredients.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is moderately high in carbohydrates from the barley, with a good amount of dietary fiber and plant-based protein from the mushrooms and grains. It provides key nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, and potassium, with a rough calorie ballpark of 300-400 per serving, depending on added fats or dairy.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 42 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Potassium | 380 mg |
| Selenium | 12 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Copper | 0.3 mg |
| Manganese | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, barley mushroom casserole reflects a tradition of using foraged ingredients and whole grains in rustic, communal meals, often associated with autumn harvests. Nutritionally, it's unique for combining the gut-friendly fiber of barley with the umami depth and immune-supporting compounds found in mushrooms.
