Description
Green Bean Casserole with Beef brings comfort straight from my kitchen to your table, blending classic green bean casserole with hearty ground beef for a satisfying meal that turns an old favorite into a complete dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef, cooked and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyere cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225g) mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup crispy fried onions, for topping
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups (360ml) beef broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 0.5 teaspoon dried)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grab 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans and trim the ends. Boil a large pot of salted water at 212°F (100°C) for 3-4 minutes until beans are bright green and slightly tender.
- Immediately transfer beans to an ice bath to halt cooking. Drain completely and set aside on a clean kitchen towel.
- Cook 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 350°F (175°C). Break meat into small crumbles until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
- Introduce 2 minced garlic cloves and 8 ounces sliced mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture.
- Dust 2 tablespoons flour over the vegetable mixture. Stir continuously for 1 minute to prevent burning.
- Pour 1 ½ cups beef broth and 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet. Whisk until smooth and simmer for 5-6 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Season sauce with 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix prepared green beans, cooked beef, sauce, and 1 cup shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup crispy fried onions evenly across the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Blanch green beans carefully to maintain their bright color and crisp texture, which prevents them from becoming mushy in the final casserole.
- Choose lean ground beef to control the dish’s fat content and ensure a cleaner, more balanced flavor profile.
- Fresh mushrooms create deeper umami compared to canned varieties, so opt for cremini or button mushrooms when possible.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free fried onions on top.
- Prep Time: 37 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 537 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 102 mg