Meatball And Lima Bean Bake
A hearty bake combining savory meatballs, tender lima beans, and melted cheddar cheese in a flavorful tomato sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place lima beans in a colander and run hot water over them. Drain and pour into a 13 1/2 x 9 x 2-inch dish.
- Combine ground beef with milk, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, chili powder, and rosemary.
- Shape the beef mixture into 2-inch meatballs and brown lightly in a skillet in oil.
- Place the browned meatballs in the casserole over the lima beans.
- Brown the sliced onions in the skillet, then add to the casserole.
- Heat the tomato sauce and water together, then pour over the contents of the casserole.
- Top with rings sliced from a green pepper and shredded Cheddar cheese.
- Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the meatball mixture. If you don’t have ground beef, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a lighter alternative. To make the dish vegetarian, substitute the beef with lentils or plant-based meat alternatives. Also, feel free to experiment with different beans if you want to switch from lima beans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty dish with a side of crusty bread or a fresh green salad to balance the richness of the meatballs and cheese. It pairs beautifully with Grammaws Meat Loaf for a comforting family meal. Consider adding a side of roasted vegetables to enhance the meal's nutritional value.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a covered baking dish in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual portions on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meatball And Lima Bean Bake contains roughly 604 calories, with 26g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (115% of the Daily Value), protein (53% of the Daily Value), and iron (40% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1050mg per serving (46% 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 use fresh lima beans instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh lima beans can be used, but they will require longer cooking times. Make sure to cook them until tender before adding to the casserole. You may also need to adjust the liquid in the recipe to accommodate the moisture in fresh beans.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's coming straight from the fridge.
What can I use instead of tomato sauce?
If you don’t have tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning as needed, since these alternatives may be less concentrated in flavor than tomato sauce.
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).