Reunion Pea Casserole Recipe

This welcoming, over-the-top casserole was designed to satisfy and delight a crowd, perhaps at a big family reunion or church supper. This type of grandma-approved casserole is especially popular at big gatherings because it's easy to make and accommodates large numbers of hungry guests. The sausage-and-cheese filling is a bit rich, but it sure is tasty. The recipe calls for black-eyed peas, the mainstay Southern legume. Over the years, black-eyed peas have become the most common and familiar type of field pea—you can always find cans of them on grocery store shelves. However, there are often other delicious choices on the same shelf or in the freezer case, such as purple hull, crowder peas, or peas with snaps. In the summer, look for less common peas with wonderful names like Whippoorwill, Lady Cream, and Pinkeye at your local farmers' market. Feel free to substitute any of them in this recipe. Like all good casseroles, this one is forgiving and accommodating. Refrigerated crescent roll dough gives this comforting casserole a golden, buttery crust with minimal effort. Add coleslaw or salad on the side, and you'll have an easy, homey supper that will feed the whole family—and then some.