The Best Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting an authentic amish harvest casserole brings nostalgia and comfort to your kitchen table.

Generations of cooks have perfected this hearty dish in rural pennsylvania.

Farm-fresh ingredients blend seamlessly with simple, wholesome techniques passed down through decades.

Crisp autumn vegetables create a rich, satisfying layer of flavors that dance across your palate.

Creamy textures and savory notes remind you of cozy family dinners shared around wooden tables.

Simple yet elegant, this recipe connects you to traditional midwestern cooking traditions.

Let’s uncover the delicious secrets of this classic comfort meal together.

Amish Harvest Casserole to Savor

• Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into a slow cooker and let it work its magic, creating a hearty meal with minimal hands-on effort.
• Comfort Food Champion: Packed with ground beef, colorful vegetables, and melted cheese, this casserole delivers ultimate satisfaction for hungry families.
• Nutrition in Every Bite: Combines protein-rich beef with a variety of vegetables, making it a balanced one-pot wonder that keeps everyone full and nourished.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or weeknight dinners where you need a reliable, delicious meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients Included in Amish Harvest Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty base that provides rich flavor and protein for the casserole.

• Carrots, Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans: Fresh vegetables that add nutritional value, texture, and natural sweetness to the dish.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that enhance the overall depth of flavor in the casserole.

• Mushroom Soup: A creamy base that helps bind the ingredients and adds a savory richness.
• Thyme, Parsley: Herbs that provide a subtle, earthy flavor and fresh green notes to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: A melty topping that adds a creamy, sharp taste and golden color to the finished dish.

How to Prepare Amish Harvest Casserole

Step 1: Sizzle and Sear the Beef

Heat a skillet over medium-high flame. Crumble ground beef into the pan, cooking until it loses its pink color.

Drain away excess fat. Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring and cooking until they become soft and fragrant.

Transfer this flavorful mixture to your slow cooker.

Step 2: Create Colorful Vegetable Layers

• Sliced carrots
• Diced potatoes
• Sweet corn kernels
• Tender green beans

Pour creamy mushroom soup over the vegetables.

Sprinkle dried thyme and chopped parsley across the top. Gently fold everything together, ensuring even distribution.

Step 3: Slow and Steady Cooking

Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW for 6-8 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours). The goal is to create tender, melt-in-your-mouth vegetables that are perfectly cooked through.

Step 4: Cheesy Golden Finish

About 30 minutes before serving, generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole. Allow the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbly layer that adds rich flavor and creamy texture.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This allows the flavors to settle and makes serving easier.

Scoop out hearty portions and enjoy the comforting blend of beef, vegetables, and melted cheese.

Tips That Improve Amish Harvest Casserole

• Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, healthier dish.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the casserole.
• Cover the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes to help cheese melt evenly and create a golden, bubbly top.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Boost flavor by using fresh herbs instead of dried thyme and parsley for a more vibrant, garden-fresh taste.

Variations to Try on Amish Harvest Casserole

• Vegetarian Harvest Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra firm tofu for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap thyme and parsley with oregano, basil, and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Casserole: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap mushroom soup for cream of jalapeño, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Creamy Mushroom Medley: Use mixed wild mushrooms instead of standard ingredients, add cream cheese, and garnish with fresh chives for an earthy, rich variation.

Pairings That Match Amish Harvest Casserole

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Robust Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complements the hearty beef and rich cheese, cutting through the creamy texture and enhancing the savory flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Crispy, buttery bread provides the ideal companion to soak up the delicious mushroom soup sauce and adds a delightful textural contrast.
• Match with Fresh Crisp Salad: Light, tangy green salad with vinaigrette dressing balances the casserole's heaviness, introducing a refreshing element to the meal and cleansing the palate.
• Complement with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables: Simple roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts add an extra vegetable dimension, creating a well-rounded plate with complementary earthy undertones.

Proper Storage for Amish Harvest Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Transfer casserole to freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remains good for up to 3 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place casserole in baking dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely. Add extra cheese on top for extra flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! The combination of meat, vegetables, and cheese makes it a nutritious and tasty meal that children typically enjoy.

• Can I make this recipe without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this to an oven-baked casserole. Combine ingredients in a baking dish and cook at 350°F for about 45-60 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground meat, low-sodium mushroom soup, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value.

Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Amish harvest casserole brings midwest comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of creamy potatoes and savory meats. Wholesome ingredients blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal that connects families around warm, delicious plates you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 grams) carrots, sliced
• 1 cup (150 grams) potatoes, diced
• 1 cup (150 grams) corn kernels
• 1 cup (150 grams) green beans, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup (112 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet until completely cooked, eliminating excess grease. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
2. Transfer meat mixture to slow cooker and layer fresh chopped carrots, diced potatoes, corn kernels, and green beans evenly across the surface.
3. Pour creamy mushroom soup over vegetables, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle dried thyme and parsley for enhanced herbal notes.
4. Gently fold ingredients together, creating a uniform distribution of meat, vegetables, and seasonings.
5. Set slow cooker to LOW temperature and cook for 6-7 hours, or HIGH temperature for 3-4 hours until vegetables reach desired tenderness.
6. During the final 30 minutes of cooking, generously distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface, allowing it to melt smoothly.
7. Remove lid and let casserole rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.

Notes

• Customize protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for leaner or vegetarian options.
• Boost veggie nutrition by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach for increased fiber and vitamins.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium mushroom soup and selecting reduced-fat cheese to make the dish heart-healthy.
• Enhance flavor depth by seasoning with smoked paprika or adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce during beef browning for richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 398 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg