Few dishes bring as much comfort and satisfaction as a hearty casserole combining hamburger, green beans, tomato soup, and mashed potatoes. This dish is beloved for its simplicity, its rich flavors, and its ability to satisfy a hungry crowd. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how to make this classic dish, explore variations, and offer tips to ensure your casserole is a hit every time.
Introduction to the Casserole
If you’re looking for a hearty, easy-to-make meal, this Hamburger Green Beans Tomato Soup Mashed Potatoes Recipe is perfect for family dinners. Combining the richness of ground beef with the freshness of green beans, the tanginess of tomato soup, and the creamy mashed potatoes, this casserole has it all. Not only is it delicious, but this Hamburger Green Beans Tomato Soup Mashed Potatoes Recipe can also be customized in several ways to fit your dietary preferences.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Hamburger Green Beans Tomato Soup Mashed Potatoes Recipe is ideal for busy families or anyone looking for an easy comfort food dish. It’s a great option for meal prepping or as a freezer-friendly dinner that you can reheat anytime. Plus, the balance of flavors between the beef, veggies, and mashed potatoes makes it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Why is this Dish so Popular?
This dish stands out for its simplicity, requiring only a few pantry staples, yet producing a meal that feels substantial and flavorful. It’s also flexible, as you can easily tweak the recipe to fit dietary needs, preferences, or even use up leftovers in the fridge. The blend of creamy mashed potatoes on top and savory ground beef with vegetables beneath makes it reminiscent of shepherd’s pie, but with a lighter twist due to the tomato soup base.
Ingredients Breakdown
To prepare this delicious hamburger casserole, you will need the following ingredients:
Ground Beef (Hamburger)
Ground beef is the star of this dish, offering a rich, savory flavor. Opt for lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter or a fattier option for more flavor. For those looking for more ways to incorporate ground beef into their meals, this best ground beef recipes list provides plenty of inspiration.
Green Beans
Green beans add color and a slight crunch to the casserole. Fresh beans offer the best texture and flavor, though canned green beans are also a convenient option. If using fresh beans, blanch them in boiling water to soften them before adding them to the casserole.
Tomato Soup
Tomato soup is the glue that holds the dish together, adding moisture and tang. While canned tomato soup is the standard, making your own homemade tomato soup is a great way to add more depth of flavor. If you have dietary restrictions, you can also find low-sodium or gluten-free tomato soup options.
Mashed Potatoes
The mashed potatoes form a creamy, luscious topping. For the creamiest mashed potatoes, use plenty of butter and whole milk or cream. If you’re short on time, leftover mashed potatoes work wonderfully. You can also explore our bread and cheese guide to learn how to pair the casserole with additional sides like bread.
Other Optional Ingredients
- Cheese: Adding shredded cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking gives the dish an extra layer of flavor.
- Garlic: Some prefer to add minced garlic to the beef mixture or even roasted garlic to the mashed potatoes.
- Onions: Caramelized onions add sweetness and depth.
- Additional Vegetables: Corn, peas, or carrots can be added for more nutrition and color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is a detailed guide to creating the perfect hamburger casserole.
1. Preparing the Ground Beef
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break the beef into small crumbles as it cooks to ensure even browning. Season the beef with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder for extra flavor. Once the beef is cooked through and no longer pink, drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming too greasy.
Tip: Use a leaner cut of ground beef if you want to cut back on fat without sacrificing flavor.
2. Blanching the Green Beans
If you’re using fresh green beans, blanch them in boiling water for about 3-4 minutes to soften them slightly. Drain and set them aside. If you’re using canned green beans, simply drain them well and move on to the next step.
Why blanching is important: Blanching helps preserve the bright green color and texture of the beans, preventing them from becoming mushy during baking.
3. Combining Tomato Soup and Beef
Add a can of tomato soup to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir everything together until the beef is evenly coated with the tomato soup. This mixture will form the base of the casserole. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Variation Idea: For a heartier dish, you can also add a splash of beef broth or Worcestershire sauce to the mixture for added depth of flavor.
4. Preparing the Mashed Potatoes
Whether you’re making mashed potatoes from scratch or using leftovers, you want to make sure they’re smooth and creamy. Start by boiling peeled and cubed potatoes until fork-tender, usually about 10-15 minutes. Drain the water and mash the potatoes with butter, milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Tip for extra flavor: Add roasted garlic or shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes for an indulgent twist.
5. Assembling the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large, greased baking dish, spread the beef and tomato soup mixture evenly over the bottom. Layer the green beans on top of the beef mixture. Finally, spoon the mashed potatoes over the top of the green beans, spreading them out evenly to cover the entire dish.
6. Baking the Casserole
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy around the edges. If you’ve added cheese to the top, make sure it’s fully melted and bubbling before removing the dish from the oven.
Tip for a golden crust: To achieve a crispy, golden crust on the mashed potatoes, you can broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.
Variations and Customizations
One of the great things about this dish is its flexibility. Below are a few popular variations and ways to customize the hamburger casserole:
Shepherd’s Pie Style
To make this dish more like a traditional shepherd’s pie, you can add vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn to the beef mixture. This not only adds more flavor but also boosts the nutritional content of the dish.
Cheesy Casserole
Add shredded cheese to the mashed potato layer before baking for an extra gooey, cheesy topping. Popular cheese choices include cheddar, mozzarella, or even Parmesan for a slightly salty kick.
Vegetarian Version
To make this dish vegetarian, replace the ground beef with plant-based meat substitutes. Brands like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods work great in casseroles. Additionally, you can swap out the tomato soup for a vegetarian broth or sauce.
Gluten-Free Adaptation
Most ingredients in this casserole are naturally gluten-free, but if you’re using pre-made tomato soup, make sure it’s labeled gluten-free. Otherwise, you can easily make your own soup or use a trusted brand.
Nutritional Information and Health Benefits
This dish provides a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables. While ground beef offers a good source of protein, green beans are packed with fiber and essential vitamins such as A, C, and K. Using fresh ingredients, including green beans and homemade mashed potatoes, can make this meal a healthier option.
Calories and Macronutrients
Here’s a rough breakdown of the nutritional content per serving:
- Calories: 400-500 (depending on cheese and butter content)
- Protein: 25-30g (from ground beef)
- Carbs: 35-40g (mainly from mashed potatoes)
- Fat: 20-25g (from beef and butter)
For those interested in a deeper dive into ground beef’s health benefits and nutritional breakdown, check out this collection of ground beef recipes for more ideas on how to balance flavor and nutrition.
FAQs
Can I Use Fresh Green Beans Instead of Canned?
Absolutely. Fresh green beans offer a crisper texture and brighter flavor. Just be sure to blanch them for a few minutes before adding them to the casserole.
What’s the Best Way to Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes?
Use a generous amount of butter and whole milk or cream when mashing your potatoes. Avoid overworking the potatoes, as this can cause them to become gummy. For more flavor, consider adding roasted garlic or even cream cheese.
Can I Make the Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes! This casserole is perfect for meal prepping. You can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to two days before baking. You can also freeze it for longer storage. Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before baking.
Leftovers and Reheating
This casserole reheats beautifully, making it a great option for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When ready to eat, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave. To prevent the dish from drying out, cover it with aluminum foil when reheating in the oven.
If you’ve made a large batch, the casserole also freezes well. Simply allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months, then thaw overnight before reheating.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Overcooking the Beef
Overcooked ground beef can become dry and tough. Cook it just until it’s browned and no longer pink to retain its moisture.
Watery Mashed Potatoes
Be mindful of the amount of milk you add to the mashed potatoes. Too much liquid can make them runny, affecting the overall texture of the dish.
Undercooked Green Beans
If you’re using fresh green beans, blanch them first to soften them slightly before baking. Otherwise, they may end up too firm in the final dish.
This Hamburger, Green Beans, Tomato Soup, and Mashed Potatoes Casserole is the perfect blend of flavors, textures, and comfort food goodness. Whether you’re serving it as a quick weeknight meal or as part of a larger gathering, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. With the flexibility to customize the recipe and adjust for dietary needs, it’s a versatile addition to your recipe rotation.
For more inspiration on ground beef-based dishes or casseroles, explore our best ground beef recipes and elevate your comfort food game today!