Description
Comforting green bean and potato casserole brings classic midwestern warmth to family dinner tables. Creamy cheese sauce, crispy onion topping, and hearty vegetables create a nostalgic side dish you’ll crave at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs green beans, trimmed
- 1.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 lb ground beef
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light butter coating to prevent sticking.
- Steam green beans until they’re vibrant and crisp-tender, approximately 4-5 minutes, then immediately plunge into an ice bath to halt cooking and preserve their bright color.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into fine crumbles, and drain any excess fat to ensure a lean mixture.
- Boil cubed potatoes in salted water until they’re fork-tender but not mushy, about 8-10 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking together heavy cream, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Layer the drained potatoes and green beans in the prepared baking dish, then evenly distribute the browned beef across the vegetables.
- Pour the cream mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and allowing the sauce to seep between the vegetables and meat.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top, creating an even blanket of melty goodness.
- Combine breadcrumbs with chopped parsley and dot with small butter pieces for a crisp, herbed topping.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through completely.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Elevate the flavor by selecting fresh, crisp green beans and waxy potatoes that hold their shape during cooking.
- Customize the protein by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian alternative.
- Reduce fat content by using low-fat dairy options like Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and choosing lean ground meat.
- Enhance texture and nutrition by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms to create more depth and complexity in the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg