Description
Sauerkraut casserole with ground beef brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Packed with tangy sauerkraut and savory ground beef, this classic dish delivers a satisfying meal that warms your heart and fills your belly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups sauerkraut, drained
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- ½ cup diced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Dairy:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
Instructions
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat at 350°F. Sauté ½ cup diced onions and 2 minced garlic cloves until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Break the meat into small crumbles while cooking for 7-8 minutes until it browns completely and no pink remains.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet to ensure your dish isn’t greasy. Return the skillet to medium heat.
- Mix 2 cups drained sauerkraut into the beef mixture. Stir in ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup softened cream cheese, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and salt to create a creamy consistency.
- Transfer the entire skillet mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, covering the entire surface.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the uncovered casserole dish in the center rack and bake for 22-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden brown.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-7 minutes before serving. This helps the dish set and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the casserole from becoming too greasy.
- Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- For a low-carb version, serve the casserole over cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.
- When choosing sauerkraut, opt for refrigerated varieties with live probiotics for added health benefits and deeper fermented flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg