Western Lima Bake
A hearty Western-style baked bean dish featuring tender lima beans, savory ground beef, tomato sauce, and seasoned with herbs—perfect for family dinners and comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash and soak dried lima beans overnight in 2 quarts of water.
- Simmer the beans in the same water until tender, about 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Season with salt after 30 minutes of cooking.
- Drain the beans and place them in a casserole dish, reserving 1/2 cup of the boiling liquid.
- Cook ground beef and chopped onion in oil, stirring until slightly browned.
- Add tomato sauce, the rest of the ingredients, and the reserved bean cooking liquid.
- Mix well and pour the mixture over the beans while hot.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 1 hour or until bubbly and hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding spices like cumin or chili powder to the ground beef. If you’re short on time, canned lima beans can be used instead, but reduce the cooking time accordingly. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef to lighten the meal. For added texture, mix in some diced bell peppers.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Western Lima Bake with a side salad or crusty bread to round out the meal. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or can be accompanied by steamed vegetables for a colorful plate. This hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner or potluck, and you can even browse more American recipes to complement your menu.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of water or broth before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Western Lima Bake contains roughly 913 calories, with 12g protein, 44g carbohydrates, and 79g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), iron (31% of the Daily Value), and protein (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1553mg per serving (68% 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 vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and using vegetable oil instead of animal fat. You may also want to add some sautéed mushrooms or other vegetables to enhance the flavor and texture.
How do I adjust the recipe for a larger crowd?
To serve more people, simply double the ingredients and use a larger casserole dish. Make sure to adjust the baking time slightly as well, checking for doneness as it cooks. This recipe is quite forgiving and can easily scale up for gatherings.
Can I freeze the Western Lima Bake?
Absolutely! You can freeze the baked dish before or after cooking. If freezing before baking, assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and it will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. If cooked, let it cool completely before freezing.
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).