Summer Kickoff Casserole: Just 4 ingredients. I make it when I want dinner handled hours ahead for an easy low-effort potluck.

This 4-ingredient oven pork shoulder casserole is my go-to “summer kickoff” dish when I want dinner totally handled hours before anyone shows up. It bakes into a bubbly, golden brown pan of tender, pull-apart pork with a rich, savory sauce and a gooey, cheesy top that looks like it took all day (because it kind of did, but the oven does the work). I started making this for low-effort potlucks and backyard hangouts in the Midwest because it’s budget-friendly, feeds a crowd, and doesn’t require babysitting on the stove or grill.

Serve this casserole straight from the baking dish with a big spoon so everyone can scoop out the tender pork and cheesy, golden top. It’s perfect with simple summer sides like coleslaw, a green salad, corn on the cob, or buttered dinner rolls to soak up the saucy bottom. For a potluck, I like to bring tortilla chips or soft slider buns so people can turn it into mini sandwiches. A crisp beer, iced tea, or a light white wine fits the rich, umami flavors really well.

Servings: 6-8

3 to 3.5 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch ceramic baking dish so the casserole doesn’t stick.

Pat the pork shoulder chunks dry with paper towels and trim off any very thick, hard pieces of fat. Place the pork in an even layer in the bottom of the baking dish. It’s okay if the pieces are snug; they’ll shrink as they cook.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup and the dry onion soup mix until smooth and well combined. You do not need to add extra water or milk; the pork will release plenty of juices as it cooks.

Pour the soup mixture evenly over the pork, using a spatula to spread it so most of the pork is coated. The pork should be mostly covered in the sauce, with a few edges peeking out.

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps steam and helps the pork become fall-apart tender while the sauce turns rich and umami-packed.

Bake, covered, on the center rack for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. If your chunks are larger or your oven runs cool, it may need up to 3.5 hours. You can prep this in the early afternoon and just let it go while you work or get ready for guests.

Carefully remove the foil (watch for hot steam) and gently stir or shred the pork right in the baking dish using two forks, mixing it into the sauce until everything is well combined and evenly sauced.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the saucy pork, covering as much of the surface as possible for that gooey, bubbly top layer.

Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and turning golden brown in spots.

If you want extra browning on top, switch the oven to broil for 1 to 3 minutes at the end, watching closely so the cheese gets beautifully golden but doesn’t burn.

Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the bubbling subsides slightly and the sauce thickens. Scoop into bowls or onto plates and serve warm.

You can swap the cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken or cream of celery for a slightly different flavor while keeping the same 4-ingredient simplicity. If you like a bit of a summer “kickoff” vibe, use a pepper jack or a mozzarella-cheddar blend on top for extra flavor and a deeper golden crust. For a smokier twist, sprinkle a little smoked paprika over the pork before you add the soup mixture (this technically adds a fifth ingredient, but it’s a nice optional upgrade). If you want to make it more like a pulled-pork bake, shred the pork very finely and serve it over toasted buns or baked potatoes. To prep ahead, assemble the dish up through adding the soup mixture, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours; add 10–15 minutes to the covered bake time if going into the oven cold. Food safety tips: Always wash your hands, cutting board, and knife thoroughly after handling raw pork. Make sure the pork reaches at least 190°F internally if you want it easily shreddable; this is well above the minimum safe 145°F, but necessary for that fall-apart texture in shoulder cuts. Don’t leave the finished casserole at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s very hot outside at a potluck). Cool leftovers quickly, store in shallow containers, and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Reheat leftovers until steaming hot all the way through before serving.