Hamburger Green Bean Casserole Recipe

This Hamburger Green Bean Casserole is the ultimate weeknight game-changer, blending the savory satisfaction of a hearty ground beef dinner with the creamy, comforting classic of green bean casserole. It’s a full-meal-in-one that’s packed with flavor, thanks to a simple, velvety sauce, a perfect blend of spices, and a gorgeous, crispy topping. This casserole takes minimal prep and bakes up into pure, cheesy, golden-brown perfection. Get ready to have a new family favorite—this one is UNREAL.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You know those nights when you need a huge hug in a bowl, but you don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen? That’s where this casserole steps in.

• The Ultimate Comfort Upgrade: We’re taking the classic holiday side dish and transforming it into a hearty, delicious main course that actually fills you up.
• Simple Weeknight Hero: With a prep time of just 10 minutes, this recipe is designed for busy evenings. You mix it, you bake it, and dinner is served!
• A Full Meal in One Dish: No need to fuss over side dishes! You’ve got your protein, your veggies, and your creamy sauce all baked together. Less dishes, more happy eating.
• Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients stashed in your pantry already, making this an easy-to-pull-off dinner anytime the craving strikes.

Ingredients

All you need for this cozy Hamburger Green Bean Casserole are a few simple steps and a skillet! It truly is that easy. But first, gather up these ingredients:

• Lean Ground Beef: This forms the hearty, savory base of our meal. Using lean beef ensures the casserole isn’t overly greasy.
• Medium Onion: Cooked down with the beef, it provides an essential aromatic and sweet foundation of flavor. Don’t skip this, it makes a huge difference!
• Garlic: Because everything is better with garlic! It adds that crucial punch of savory depth.
• Cut Green Beans: The star vegetable of our casserole. We’re using canned and drained beans for ease, but you can definitely use frozen or fresh if you prefer.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the secret to that classic, creamy, and velvety texture. It binds everything together beautifully.
• Milk: Added to thin out the mushroom soup just enough to create the perfect creamy sauce that coats every single bean and piece of beef.
• Worcestershire Sauce (or Soy Sauce): This is a secret weapon! Just a splash adds a deep, savory, umami richness that makes the meat taste incredible.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Half goes into the mix for gooey, melty goodness inside, and the rest goes on top to create a golden, cheesy crust.
• Salt, Pepper, and Paprika: The trio of spices that balances the richness of the beef and soup, giving the whole dish a beautiful, warm, savory seasoning and color.
• Crispy Fried Onions or Breadcrumbs: This is the crowning glory! It adds that necessary crunch and texture contrast to the creamy casserole.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the ground beef and sautéing the aromatics.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with precise measurements is located right under this article in the recipe card!

How to Make the Hamburger Green Bean Casserole

Get ready for an easy-peasy cooking experience! Just a little skillet work, and then the oven does all the heavy lifting.

Step 1: Prep and Brown the Beef

Preheat your oven to a cozy 375∘F(190∘C) and lightly grease your favorite baking dish. Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until it’s completely browned, making sure to break it up with your spoon.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Once the beef is browned, toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook this mixture until the onion is soft and translucent—usually about 3-5 minutes. Then, make sure to drain any excess grease from the pan.

Step 3: Mix the Casserole Base

Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef and onion mixture with the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir it all up until every ingredient is happy and blended.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Transfer

Fold in half of that glorious shredded cheddar cheese right into the mixture. Pour the whole thing into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 5: Top and Bake

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, then cover it all with your crispy fried onions or breadcrumbs. Bake it uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Step 6: Rest and Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for just 5 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This helps it set and makes serving a breeze! Serve it warm and watch it disappear.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Want to take this casserole from great to absolutely legendary? Here are a few insider tips:

• Don’t Overcook the Beef: Only cook the ground beef until it’s browned. Since it’s going back into the oven, you don’t want it to get tough.
• Elevate the Onion Topping: If you’re using store-bought fried onions, for an extra burst of flavor, try tossing them with a tiny sprinkle of garlic powder and paprika before you add them to the top.
• Boost the Veggies: Feel free to toss in a cup of frozen, thawed mixed vegetables like corn, carrots, or peas along with the green beans for extra color and nutrition.
• Make it Meatier: You can easily swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, or even add crumbled cooked bacon or sausage for a different flavor profile!

How to Serve

This casserole is a meal all on its own, but here are a few ways to plate it up and complete the experience:

• Simple Side Salad: A bright, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to the creamy, rich casserole.
• Bread Basket: Serve with some warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls for soaking up any extra delicious sauce.
• Keep it Classic: This dish pairs perfectly with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or a bowl of fluffy white rice if you want a little extra carb comfort!

Make Ahead and Storage

This casserole is fantastic for meal prepping! You can enjoy the leftovers for days.

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze this casserole either baked or unbaked! For a make-ahead freezer meal, assemble the casserole completely (minus the crispy onion topping) in a foil-lined freezer-safe dish. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add the topping and bake as directed.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, simply scoop a portion onto a plate and microwave until warmed through. For a large amount, you can cover the dish with foil and bake at 350∘F for about 20 minutes, or until hot in the center.

FAQs

Can I use fresh or frozen green beans instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you’re using frozen green beans, thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding them to the mixture to avoid excess water in your casserole. If using fresh green beans, blanch them (boil for a few minutes and then quickly shock in ice water) until they are tender-crisp before mixing them into the sauce and baking. This will ensure they cook through properly in the casserole.

How can I make the topping extra crunchy?

For an ultra-crunchy topping, try using a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and melted butter, or even crushed potato chips! If you use the crispy fried onions, be sure to store them separately and sprinkle them on only in the last 10 minutes of baking, or even right before serving, to keep them from getting soggy.

What kind of cheese works best in this recipe?

While sharp cheddar cheese is a classic choice that adds a wonderful tang, you can definitely experiment! Monterey Jack melts beautifully and is very mild, while a Gouda or a smoked cheese would add a richer, more complex flavor. Feel free to use whatever melty, delicious cheese you have on hand!

I don’t like cream of mushroom soup—what can I use instead?

No problem! You can easily swap the cream of mushroom soup for a can of cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup. Alternatively, you can make a simple homemade béchamel sauce (a butter, flour, and milk base) and season it well with salt, pepper, and onion powder to achieve that creamy texture without a canned soup.

This Hamburger Green Bean Casserole brings all the cozy, savory flavors of a homestyle dinner into one convenient dish! Simple to prepare, loaded with flavor, and guaranteed to get rave reviews, this casserole is perfect for family dinners or a comforting night in. Enjoy the ultimate comfort food with minimal fuss!