Vegetable Beef Casserole

This recipe is so easy and fast to make.  You can literally assemble it in 5 minutes if you have your hamburger browned.  It's low-calorie and delicious.  My family likes to put a little ketchup on top of it for a little extra flavor, but I like it without.  It's an all-in-one casserole - meat, potatoes and veggies in one pot.  What can be better?!



Vegetable Beef Casserole

Ingredients:
3 medium unpeeled potatoes, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
3 ribs celery, sliced
2 cups fresh or frozen green beans
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon pepper
1 16-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:
Brown hamburger with minced onion.
In a greased 3-quart casserole, layer half the potatoes, carrots, celery and green beans.  Crumble half of ground beef then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of thyme and pepper.  Repeat layers and top with tomato sauce.  Cover and bake at 400 for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 and bake 1 hour longer or until vegetables are tender.  Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand until cheese is melted.

Yields 8 servings (or maybe a little more) and is just under 300 calories a serving with 10.5 grams of fat, 4.8 grams of fiber, 21.3 carbs & 481 mg of sodium.