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Easy Maple Glazed-Crusted Beef Casserole

maple glazed-crusted beef casserole - featured image
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A quick and flavorful casserole featuring a sweet maple glaze crust over savory ground beef, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and soft.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground beef to the pan. Break it up with a spoon and cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce while cooking.
  5. Carefully drain excess fat from the pan to avoid a greasy casserole.
  6. Remove the pan from heat. Stir in fresh or dried thyme if using. Transfer the beef mixture to an oven-safe casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard until smooth.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef, then top with breadcrumbs.
  9. Brush the breadcrumb and cheese layer gently with the maple-mustard glaze using a pastry brush or spoon.
  10. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and make scooping easier.

Notes

If the crust browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking. For a moister casserole, add a splash of beef broth to the beef mixture before baking. Prepping the glaze while the beef cooks saves time. Letting the casserole rest before serving improves flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: maple glazed beef casserole, quick dinner, ground beef casserole, easy casserole recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://avabake.com/easy-maple-glazed-crusted-beef-casserole-recipe-perfect-for-quick-dinners/