Hamburger-Vegetable Bake
A hearty baked dish featuring seasoned ground beef balls complemented by tender vegetables and rich gravy, perfect for family dinners or comforting gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. instant minced onion ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/3 cup bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. marjoram ⓘ
- 2 cans beef gravy ⓘ
- 8 carrots ⓘ
- 8 small onions ⓘ
- 8 medium potatoes ⓘ
- 1 small can mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. butter or oleo ⓘ
- chopped parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix ground beef, egg, salt, pepper, instant minced onion, Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, water, and marjoram in a bowl.
- Shape the mixture into 12 large meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs on all sides in hot oil in a skillet.
- Remove the browned meatballs and place them into a large casserole dish.
- Add carrots, small onions, potatoes, and mushrooms to the casserole.
- Top with beef gravy and dot with butter or oleo.
- Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes until vegetables are tender and gravy is bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting ground turkey or chicken for the beef. You can also add bell peppers or zucchini for extra vegetables. If you prefer a thicker gravy, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water before adding it to the casserole. Be sure to brown the meatballs well for better texture and depth of flavor, which is a technique that works well in beef recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious Hamburger-Vegetable Bake pairs beautifully with a fresh garden salad or crusty bread to soak up the gravy. For a complete meal, serve it alongside steamed green beans or a tangy coleslaw. Leftovers can also be repurposed into a hearty soup, akin to a Quick Homemade Beef Stew.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave portions for a quick meal, ensuring they are heated evenly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hamburger-Vegetable Bake contains roughly 3034 calories, with 80g protein, 254g carbohydrates, and 207g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (338% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (255% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1126mg per serving (49% of the Daily Value).
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 make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and assemble the casserole a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the fridge to ensure everything is heated through.
What can I substitute for beef gravy?
If you want a lighter option, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of beef gravy. For a richer flavor, consider making a homemade gravy using pan drippings and thickening it with flour or cornstarch. This can elevate the dish and customize the flavor profile to your liking.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, this casserole freezes well. To freeze, cool it completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly.
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).