No Buns About It – Cheeseburger Casserole

Hey friends! Happy Friday!

One of our go-to meals for those nights when we want something easy and filling that won’t break our calorie bank is Shepherd’s Pie. I have several variations here on the blog, but I am always trying to come up with new ideas to keep things interesting.

Cheeseburger Casserole

9 servings.

Ingredients:

1 package ground-beef style crumbles (such as the kind by Morningstar Farms)
1 (value-size) package frozen broccoli in cheese sauce
1 pouch instant mashed potatoes
2 cups hot water
2 Tablespoons sweet relish
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
approximately 2 Tablespoons ketchup
1 package shredded lettuce
2 scallions, sliced
2 dill pickles, diced
paprika

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray an 8×8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Empty broccoli into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes.
3. Transfer broccoli to food processor and pulse 7-10 times. (Leave the chute open to allow steam to escape)
4. Transfer broccoli back into the bowl, and stir in relish and mustard.
5. Combine instant mashed potatoes and hot water and set aside.
6. Empty crumbles into the baking pan and top evenly with broccoli mixture.
7. Spoon, spread, or squirt ketchup over broccoli mixture.
8. Carefully spread mashed potatoes over broccoli and ketchup and sprinkle with paprika.
9. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until the potato layer is slightly crispy.
10. Serve hot casserole over a bed of shredded lettuce, and top with scallions and diced pickles.

We topped our casserole with a little bit of Sir Kensington’s gourmet scooping ketchup! Of course we have to go for the Spiced version which is, “infused with chipotle peppers, cilantro, lime juice, agave nectar, honey, and coriander.” YUM. Go get some please. And be sure to use a tiny little spoon for scooping.

This recipe comes together really quickly. While your casserole is baking you can go ahead and clean up the kitchen! Maybe have a glass of wine. Call your mom. Vacuum. Anything to distract yourself from the deliciousness you are about to experience.

Sometimes instead of using a spoon to smooth out the mashed potatoes, I use my fingers. It’s just more fun that way. If you have kids, this would be a great time to get them involved! Just make sure they wash their hands first :)

Even though this recipe technically makes 9 servings (at around 155 calories per slice), I always eat at least 2-3 slices. And of course my husband finishes the pan.

We are a no-leftovers kind of family.

Have a great weekend!

Thought for the day:

Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, focus on what you have that others are missing.