Creamy Beef Mushroom Bake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 450g ground beef
02 - 225g mushrooms, sliced
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 can (approx. 298g) cream of mushroom soup
06 - 120ml sour cream
07 - 2.5ml paprika
08 - 2.5ml dried thyme (optional)
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 - 100g shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

→ For Serving (Optional)

11 - Cooked egg noodles
12 - Cooked rice
13 - Cooked cauliflower rice

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch (approx. 23x33 cm) baking dish.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, approximately 6–8 minutes. Carefully drain any excess fat from the skillet.
03 - Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet with the beef and onion. Continue to cook for an additional 5–6 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and become fragrant.
04 - Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, paprika, dried thyme (if using), salt, and pepper into the skillet mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined and the sauce is smooth.
05 - Transfer the entire beef and mushroom mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Generously sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top surface.
06 - Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, golden, and the casserole is bubbling hot throughout.
07 - Allow the baked casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it on its own or serve over cooked egg noodles, rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

# Notes:

01 - For a lower-carb meal, consider serving this bake over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional starchy sides like pasta or rice.
02 - Enhance the nutritional value and texture by incorporating a layer of frozen peas or green beans into the mixture before transferring it to the baking dish.
03 - Introduce a subtle heat and depth of flavor by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture during the sauce preparation step.
04 - Prepare this casserole in advance: assemble and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When baking from chilled, add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
05 - Experiment with various cheese options such as Gruyere, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses to achieve different flavor profiles and melting characteristics.