Curried Lima Bean Casserole
A flavorful baked casserole combining tender lima beans, curry spices, and creamy mushroom soup, topped with crispy bacon and crunchy croutons for a hearty, comforting dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. frozen or canned baby limas ⓘ
- 2 medium onions, chopped ⓘ
- 1 red pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup bean juice and water (mixed together) ⓘ
- 1 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 cup croutons, crushed ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon melted butter ⓘ
- 2 strips bacon, fried crisp and crumbled ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook limas as directed.
- Drain and save the liquid.
- Combine chopped onions, red pepper, cream of mushroom soup, and bean juice mixture in a saucepan.
- Heat thoroughly. Remove from heat and blend sour cream and curry powder into the soup mixture.
- Stir in cooked limas.
- Pour the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Mix crushed croutons with melted butter.
- Add crumbled bacon to the crouton mixture.
- Sprinkle the crouton mixture over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing the onions and red pepper until caramelized before adding them to the mixture. You can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist. If you have extra vegetables like peas or carrots, feel free to mix them in for additional nutrition. This dish is inspired by traditional American recipes featuring beans.
Serving Suggestions
This Curried Lima Bean Casserole is hearty enough to serve as a main dish. Pair it with a light salad, such as Spring Pea Salad, for a balanced meal. It also complements grilled meats or roasted vegetables nicely. For a more substantial dinner, serve alongside crusty bread or rice.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the casserole in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Curried Lima Bean Casserole contains roughly 466 calories, with 17g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (134% of the Daily Value), iron (78% of the Daily Value), and protein (34% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 38g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh lima beans instead of frozen or canned?
Yes, you can use fresh lima beans! Just make sure to cook them until tender before adding them to the casserole. Fresh beans may take longer to prepare than frozen or canned options, so plan accordingly.
Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using vegetable broth instead of the bean juice and water mixture. The flavors will still be rich and delicious without the meat.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer a homemade option, you can create a simple cream sauce using butter, flour, and vegetable broth with sautéed mushrooms. Alternatively, you can try using a can of cream of celery soup for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).