Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

If Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans sounds like something your grandma would approve of and your Tuesday-night schedule would tolerate—hi, welcome, you’re in the right kitchen. This is the kind of meal you make when you’re tired, hungry, and one “What’s for dinner?” away from moving into your car.

It’s creamy, cheesy, and comforting, but still has that bright bite from the green beans so it doesn’t feel like you ate a blanket (a delicious blanket… but still). And best of all? It’s a one-skillet situation, which means fewer dishes—and honestly, that’s the real romance.

Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

• Fast and forgiving: This is truly a Quick Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans—and it doesn’t punish you for being human.
• Family-friendly: Picky eaters usually fall for the cheesy top layer first. (It’s basically edible persuasion.)
• Budget-friendly: Ground beef, green beans, pantry seasonings. Nothing fancy, everything tasty.
• One pan, big comfort: It has strong “cozy dinner” energy with minimal effort.

And yes—this is also a total Hamburger Green Bean Casserole vibe, but with a creamier, richer sauce that tastes like you worked harder than you did. We love a recipe that lets us pretend.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this creamy skillet casserole:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 2 cups green beans, trimmed (fresh or thawed frozen)
• 1 cup diced onion (yellow or white)
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (button or baby bella)
• 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 a lighter version)

Little ingredient notes from my kitchen

• If you’re not a mushroom fan, you can reduce them or skip them. (No judgment. More cheese for you.)
• Full-fat sour cream makes it rich and smooth. Low-fat can work, but it may be a bit less dreamy.

How to Make Quick Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

This is a simple flow: brown, sauté, stir, melt, top, devour.

1) Brown the beef

Heat a large skillet (cast-iron is perfect) over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart, until there’s no pink left.

Drain the fat, but reserve 1 tablespoon in the pan (that’s flavor insurance). Set the beef aside.

2) Sauté the aromatics

In that reserved fat, cook your diced onion for 3–4 minutes, until it’s soft and translucent.

Add mushrooms and sauté for 2 minutes, until they start to brown and smell like “okay wow, this is happening.”

3) Add green beans and season boosters

Stir in:

• green beans
• minced garlic
• broth

Cook 2–3 minutes until the beans turn bright green and are still crisp-tender. You’re not trying to turn them into mush—this isn’t a sad cafeteria tray.

4) Make the creamy base

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the cream cheese and stir until it melts and smooths out.

Then blend in sour cream until the sauce becomes creamy and glossy. This is the part where you’ll think, “Wait, I made this?” Yes. Yes you did.

5) Combine everything and season

Return the cooked beef to the skillet.

Add:

• salt
• pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• dried thyme

Stir gently until everything is evenly coated in that creamy sauce.

6) Top with cheese

Sprinkle Colby Jack evenly over the top. Be generous unless you’re saving some for snacking. (I’m not saying you should snack on shredded cheese… but I’m also not saying you shouldn’t.)

7) Melt and serve

Choose your cheesy adventure:

Option A (Broiler):
Place skillet under the broiler 1–2 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Watch closely—broilers go from “perfect” to “charcoal surprise” in seconds.

Option B (Stovetop):
Cover the skillet and cook on low for 3–4 minutes until cheese melts.

Serve hot—and prepare for people to “just taste it” three times before they grab a plate.

Tips for a No-Stress Hamburger Green Bean Casserole

• Room temp cream cheese melts faster. If you forgot (we all do), microwave it for 10–15 seconds.
• Don’t overcook the green beans. Crisp-tender keeps the casserole lively.
• Want extra sauce? Add 1–2 Tbsp more broth, especially if your skillet runs hot.
• Cheese browning hack: Broiler method gives that irresistible golden top. Just stay nearby like a cheese bodyguard.
• Sauce looks a little lumpy at first? Don’t panic. Keep stirring gently on low—cream cheese always smooths out once it fully melts. It’s all part of the magic.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

This dish became one of my go-to dinners on those evenings when I needed something comforting but didn’t have the energy for a “project meal.” You know the kind—where the recipe says “simmer 45 minutes” and you laugh because your people are already opening the fridge like raccoons.

The first time I made it, I told myself it was “just something quick.” Then the skillet came out, the cheese got bubbly, and suddenly everyone was hovering like I’d cooked a five-star feast. That’s when I knew: this one stays in the rotation.

Easy Variations (Because Life Happens)

• Make it lighter: Use 1 cup cheese instead of 2 and swap in reduced-fat sour cream (still tasty).
• Add more veggies: Bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini work well. Toss them in with the mushrooms.
• Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce gives it a little kick.
• No Worcestershire? A tiny splash of soy sauce can add similar savory depth.

FAQs About Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans

Bring This Cozy Skillet Dinner to Your Table Tonight

If your week is packed and your brain is tired, Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans is the kind of recipe that shows up for you—creamy, comforting, and done fast. It’s a Quick Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans that tastes like you tried harder than you did (my favorite kind of meal).

Make it once, and I have a feeling it’ll quietly become one of those “oh thank goodness” dinners you keep in your back pocket—right next to your favorite stretchy pants.

Keep the Comfort-Food Streak Going

If you loved this cozy skillet dinner, here are a few more reader-favorite ideas that pair perfectly with this Ground Beef Casserole with Green Beans mood—same comfort, same easy vibes, just a different delicious twist:

• Try a veggie side that disappears fast: Crack Green Beans (the “where did they go?” side dish)
• Craving another hearty, family-style bake? You’ll love Beef Lombardi Casserole for a cheesy, weeknight-friendly dinner
• Want to switch proteins but keep the creamy comfort? Make Million Dollar Chicken Casserole (extra cozy, extra creamy)
• Need something warm and soothing for later this week? Bookmark Creamy Cowboy Soup for a big-bowl, busy-night lifesaver

And hey—if you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it went! Please leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ below so other readers know it’s worth tossing into their weeknight rotation.

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