Savory Beef Green Bean Casserole 🌱🥩

This comforting casserole is a delightful blend of tender beef, crisp green beans, and a creamy, savory sauce, topped off with crispy onions for that perfect crunch. It's an easy dish to whip up for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner! Serve it with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal. 🍞🥗

Ingredients

For the casserole

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

For the topping

• 1 1/2 cups crispy fried onions
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat, then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent.

🍳 For added flavor, consider seasoning the beef with your favorite spices while cooking.

3. Prepare the sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.

4. Combine everything: Add the cooked beef mixture and green beans to the sauce, stirring gently until well coated. If using, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese for extra creaminess.

🥬 If you want to add more vegetables, consider mixing in some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers!

5. Transfer to a baking dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly.

6. Top it off: Sprinkle the crispy fried onions and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

8. Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty beef green bean casserole!

🍽️ This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving!

Variations

• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure your crispy onions are gluten-free.
• Spicy: Add some crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a bit of heat! 🌶️
• Vegetarian: Substitute sautéed mushrooms for the beef, using vegetable broth in place of the Worcestershire sauce for a richer flavor.
• Extra cheesy: For a cheesier casserole, mix in more shredded cheese before baking and sprinkle some on top as well!

Enjoy this savory dish that's bursting with flavor and is sure to become a family favorite! 🌟