Description
Hearty Ground Beef Country Casserole brings comfort straight from rustic kitchen traditions, blending savory meat, creamy textures, and classic ingredients. Home cooks can savor this nostalgic dish that warms hearts and satisfies hungry families with its rich, homestyle goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables:
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1/2 cup diced green bell peppers
Pantry/Binding Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Add diced onions and green bell peppers to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Incorporate diced potatoes into the meat mixture, stirring to distribute evenly and ensure even cooking.
- Pour cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to create a creamy sauce that coats all ingredients.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, stirring to distribute the seasonings uniformly.
- Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Toss breadcrumbs with olive oil to create a golden, crispy topping, then evenly distribute over the cheese layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian alternative.
- Enhance vegetable variety by adding diced carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Reduce dairy content by using low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and unsweetened plant-based milk for a lighter version.
- Create a gluten-free option by substituting breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal for a crispy topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg