How to Make Vegetable Beef Casserole
- cook TIME 55 mins
- prep TIME 12 mins
- total TIME 1 hr 7 mins
Ingredients (15)
- 12 oz 85% lean ground beef
- 14 oz potatoes cut into cubes
- 8 oz carrots diced
- 6 oz tomatoes diced
- 6 oz green beans trimmed and cut into segments
- 2 oz celery chopped
- 2 oz onion chopped
- 2.5 oz cheddar cheese grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 3/4 cup homemade tomato sauce
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep:
Cut the potatoes: Peel the skin and cut the potatoes into thick slices. Cut the slices lengthwise into fingers then crosswise into cubes.
Dice the carrots: Slice off the top part and cut the carrots into two or three segments. Cut the segments lengthwise into thin slices. Cut the slices lengthwise into fingers then crosswise into dice.
Dice the tomatoes: Cut the tomatoes in half, slice off the stem, and remove the seeds. Cut the halves into thin strips then cut the strips into dice.
Prepare the green beans: Trim off the stems and cut the green beans into 1” segments.
Chop the celery: Cut off the leaves and cut the stalks in quarters lengthwise. Chop the stalks into small cubes.
Grate the cheese: Press the block of cheese against the grater and push it downwards.
Mince the garlic: Slice off the root of the cloves and mash them with a knife to peel off the skin. Mince the peeled garlic cloves with a knife or mincer.
Chop the onion: Cut the onion in half and peel the skin. Make vertical slices 1/4" from each other but leave about 1/4" from the root. Turn the half 90 degrees. Cut horizontally from the bottom to make a crosshatch pattern, and also leave 1/4" from the root. Chop the onion into even cubes.
Chop the parsley.
Cook:
Caramelize the aromatics and cook the beef: Place a pan on medium heat until hot. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp garlic, 2 oz onion, and 1 tsp thyme. Stir for 1 minute. Then add 12 oz ground beef and stir for 3 minutes.
Add the vegetables: Add 6 oz tomatoes, 8 oz carrots, 14 oz potatoes, 2 oz celery, and 6 oz green beans. Mix thoroughly for 7 minutes.
Add the seasoning: Add 3/4 cup homemade tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix for 4 minutes.
Transfer to a baking dish: Move the mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil.
Bake the casserole: Bake the casserole at 400 °F for 30 minutes on the middle rack of the oven.
Add the cheese: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle 2.5 oz cheddar cheese on top.
Melt the cheese: Resume baking at 475 °F for another 5 minutes on the top rack.
Garnish and serve: Take the dish out of the oven and sprinkle with 2 tbsp parsley. Cut the casserole into portions and serve.