Veggie-Meat Cups
Veggie-Meat Cups are savory individual servings combining seasoned ground beef with vegetables and cheese, topped with creamy mashed potatoes—perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, green onions, milk, steak sauce, beaten egg, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.
- Divide the meat mixture into 6 equal portions and place each into a greased 6-ounce glass custard cup.
- Pat the meat mixture against the bottom and sides of each cup.
- Place the custard cups on a baking pan.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Pour off drippings from each cup.
- Top each with a spoonful of condensed Cheddar cheese soup, then spread a layer of mixed vegetables on top.
- Spoon hot mashed potatoes over the vegetable layer to cover completely.
- Optional: Bake for an additional 10 minutes to heat through and brown slightly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for ground beef, and use whole wheat bread crumbs. Adding spices like garlic powder or Italian seasoning can elevate the flavor profile. If you don't have condensed Cheddar cheese soup, a homemade cheese sauce can work as a great alternative. Consider adding herbs to the mashed potatoes for extra flavor. This recipe is great for using up leftover vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
These Veggie-Meat Cups make a hearty main dish and pair wonderfully with a fresh side salad or steamed broccoli. For a complete meal, serve with crusty bread or homemade rolls. A drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce can add a nice touch. For more comforting options, consider browsing other American recipes that utilize ground beef.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the cups in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Veggie-Meat Cups contains roughly 603 calories, with 17g protein, 71g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (34% of the Daily Value), potassium (34% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1407mg per serving (61% 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 these Veggie-Meat Cups ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat mixture and fill the custard cups a day in advance. Just cover them and refrigerate until you are ready to bake. This makes for a quick and easy meal on busy days.
What can I use instead of Cheddar cheese soup?
If you don't have Cheddar cheese soup, you can create a quick cheese sauce using butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese. This will give you a creamy texture similar to the soup and can be customized with different cheese varieties.
Can I freeze the Veggie-Meat Cups?
Yes, these cups freeze well. Assemble and bake them first, then let them cool completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from the freezer in the oven until warmed through.
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).