Hamburger Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms
A one-skillet, 30-minute casserole that layers savory ground beef, crisp-tender green beans, and earthy mushrooms in a creamy, cheesy sauce—naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend
- 2 cups green beans trimmed (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1 cup diced onion yellow or white
- 1 cup sliced button or baby bella mushrooms
- 3 tsp minced garlic fresh
- ¼ cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth
- ⅓ cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 Tbsp cream cheese room temperature
- ½ tsp sea salt or to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese use 1 cup for lighter version
Instructions
- Brown the Beef
- Heat a large (cast-iron) skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook ~5 min, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Drain, reserving 1 Tbsp fat in the pan; set beef aside.
- Sauté Aromatics
- In the reserved fat, cook diced onion 3–4 min until translucent. Add mushrooms; sauté 2 min until they begin to caramelize.
- Add Beans & Seasonings
- Stir in green beans, minced garlic, and broth. Cook 2–3 min until beans turn bright green and remain crisp-tender.
- Create Creamy Base
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Melt in cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Blend in sour cream to form a creamy sauce.
- Combine & Season
- Return cooked beef to skillet. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cheese Topping
- Sprinkle Colby Jack evenly over the surface.
- Melt & Serve
- Option A (broiler): Place skillet under broiler 1–2 min until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Option B (stovetop): Cover and cook on low 3–4 min until cheese melts. Serve hot.
Notes
Flavor boost: Don’t skip reserving the tablespoon of beef fat; it deepens vegetable flavor.
Dairy care: Keep heat medium-low when adding sour cream/cream cheese to avoid curdling.
Make-ahead: Prepare through Step 5, cool, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 h; finish with cheese and reheating when ready to serve.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat in microwave or 350 °F oven.
Variations: Swap Colby Jack for sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack. Coconut aminos or tamari can replace Worcestershire. Halve the cheese for a lighter version.
Serving ideas: Enjoy solo, with a side salad, or over cauliflower rice to stretch portions without extra carbs.