Cozy Farmhouse Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe for Fall

Comfort takes center stage with this hearty Amish harvest casserole that blends rustic flavors and home-style cooking.

Rich layers of tender meat and seasonal vegetables promise a deeply satisfying meal.

Each bite carries the warmth of traditional farmhouse recipes passed down through generations.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a dish bursting with robust goodness.

The casserole speaks of countryside kitchens where love simmers slowly in cast-iron pans.

Families gathered around wooden tables will savor every comforting forkful of this timeless recipe.

Why Amish Harvest Casserole Comforts

• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: This hearty casserole transforms complex meal preparation into a stress-free experience by using a slow cooker, allowing busy home cooks to enjoy a delicious dinner without extensive kitchen time.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with ground beef, mixed vegetables, and melted cheese, this recipe delivers nostalgic farm-style flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family gatherings.
• Nutritious One-Pot Dish: Loaded with protein from beef and a variety of vegetables, this casserole provides a balanced meal that sneaks wholesome ingredients onto plates, ensuring everyone gets essential nutrients without sacrificing taste.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Using affordable, accessible ingredients like ground beef, seasonal vegetables, and pantry staples, this recipe offers a cost-effective solution for feeding multiple people without breaking the bank.

Amish Casserole Ingredients

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful protein that forms the foundation of the casserole.
• Onion: A classic aromatic that adds depth and sweetness.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that brings rich flavor to the dish.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Corn Kernels, Green Beans: A colorful and nutritious mix of farm-fresh vegetables that provide texture and wholesome goodness.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup: A creamy base that binds the ingredients together.
• Dried Thyme, Dried Parsley: Herbaceous seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Cheddar Cheese: A melty, sharp topping that adds a golden, comforting finish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the taste.

How to Make Amish Harvest Casserole

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Aromatics

Grab a large skillet and sizzle the ground beef over medium heat until it’s completely cooked through.

Drain away any extra grease.

Toss in finely chopped onions and crushed garlic, letting them dance and soften for 3-4 minutes.

Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to wake up the flavors.

Scoop this savory mixture into your slow cooker.

Step 2: Create Hearty Vegetable Layers

• Sliced carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Corn kernels
• Chopped green beans

Pour in cream of mushroom soup and sprinkle dried thyme and parsley.

Gently fold everything together so each bite will have a perfect mix of ingredients.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic on LOW setting for 6-8 hours.

The vegetables will become meltingly tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 4: Cheese Topping Finale

Thirty minutes before serving, blanket the top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Cover and allow the cheese to become gloriously melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes so it can settle and thicken.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s faces light up with comfort and joy.

Amish Casserole Tips That Help

• Pat ground beef with paper towels to remove maximum grease, ensuring a lighter, less oily casserole texture that prevents soggy results.
• Select crisp, firm carrots and green beans for optimal crunch and flavor, avoiding wilted or soft produce that can make the dish mushy.
• Place denser vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and prevent smaller vegetables from becoming overcooked.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp white cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss to add unique flavor profiles and personalize the casserole to your taste preferences.
• Substitute ground turkey for beef, use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and decrease calorie content.

Storing and Rewarming Amish Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
• Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed through, stirring midway.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place casserole in baking dish, cover with foil, warm for 20-25 minutes, and add extra cheese on top for crispy texture.

Pairing Ideas for Amish Casserole

• Perfectly Paired Wine Selection: Choose a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir to complement the rich beef and vegetable flavors, cutting through the creamy casserole with its bright acidity.
• Hearty Beer Companion: Select a robust amber ale or brown ale that matches the casserole's earthy tones, enhancing the savory ground beef and vegetable blend with its malty undertones.
• Rustic Side Salad Match: Craft a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's richness, adding fresh lettuce, cucumber slices, and a light lemon dressing for contrast.
• Refreshing Beverage Option: Serve cold apple cider or sparkling apple juice to echo the harvest theme, providing a sweet and slightly tart counterpoint to the hearty casserole.

Flavor Takes on Amish Casserole

• Vegetarian Harvest Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced tofu for a meat-free version that maintains protein content.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac dietary needs.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets and use low-carb cream soup alternative to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace cheddar cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese substitute, keeping the casserole creamy and flavorful for those with lactose intolerance.

FAQs

• Is this casserole gluten-free?

Not automatically. The cream of mushroom soup typically contains gluten, so you’ll need to use a gluten-free cream soup or make a homemade version to ensure the entire dish is gluten-free.

• Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen vegetables work perfectly in this recipe. Just thaw and drain them before adding to the slow cooker to prevent excess liquid from forming in the casserole.

• What can I substitute for ground beef?

Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent alternatives. They offer similar protein content and will work well with the other ingredients in the casserole. For vegetarians, you could use plant-based ground meat or black beans.

• How do I prevent the vegetables from becoming mushy?

Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Also, avoid stirring too much during the slow cooking process, which can break down vegetables and make them lose their texture.

Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Amish harvest casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables across rural kitchens. Home cooks discover a rich blend of traditional ingredients that celebrates classic Midwestern culinary simplicity and warmth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) black pepper

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Instructions

1. In a heated skillet, thoroughly cook ground beef over medium flame, ensuring no pink remains. Drain accumulated grease completely.
2. Incorporate finely diced onions and crushed garlic into the meat, sautéing until aromatics become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
3. Transfer the seasoned meat mixture to the slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the base of the cooking vessel.
4. Layer crisp carrots, chunky potato pieces, sweet corn kernels, and tender green bean segments atop the meat foundation.
5. Gently fold cream of mushroom soup into the vegetable medley, introducing dried thyme and parsley to enhance the flavor profile. Ensure all ingredients are uniformly distributed.
6. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the casserole to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours, permitting vegetables to soften and flavors to harmonize.
7. During the final cooking phase, generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole surface, creating a rich, melting blanket.
8. After cooking, permit the casserole to rest for approximately 10 minutes, enabling the ingredients to set and intensify their collective taste.
9. Serve the hearty Amish harvest casserole while warm, celebrating the rustic blend of robust ingredients.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains the hearty flavor profile.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup to control salt intake and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a sprinkle of smoked paprika during the initial meat browning stage.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours
• Category: Dinner, Breakfast
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg