Rustic Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe

Cozy Amish Harvest Casserole: A Heartwarming Dish for Your Table

The Amish Harvest Casserole is a cherished dish deeply rooted in rural agricultural communities.

For years, people have enjoyed this hearty meal as a symbol of the season’s bounty and shared experiences.

Families have passed down their versions, capturing the essence of farm-style cooking with wholesome ingredients.

This classic casserole brings comfort and warmth, turning fresh produce into a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Country kitchens buzz with excitement when this beloved recipe is made during harvest time, bringing people together through shared traditions.

With rustic flavors and tried-and-true techniques, this casserole embodies the spirit of traditional American home cooking at its finest.

Amish Harvest Casserole Common Questions

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, the Amish Harvest Casserole is perfect for children. It has mild flavors, familiar ingredients like ground beef and vegetables, and a cheesy topping that most kids love.

  • Can I use different types of meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even ground pork for variety. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked before adding to the slow cooker.

  • Do I need to pre-cook the vegetables?

No pre-cooking is required. Simply wash, chop, and add raw vegetables directly to the slow cooker. They will become tender during the cooking process.

  • Is this recipe budget-friendly?

Definitely. The Amish Harvest Casserole uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, seasonal vegetables, and canned soup, making it an economical meal that feeds the whole family.

Why Amish Harvest Casserole Brings Fall To Your Table

  • Comfort Food Heaven: Dive into this hearty Amish Harvest Casserole that brings warmth and satisfaction to your table.
  • Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Slow cooker magic transforms simple ingredients into a rich, delicious meal with almost zero hands-on cooking time.
  • Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with vegetables and ground beef, this one-pot wonder pleases everyone from kids to grandparents with its classic, comforting flavors.
  • Busy Weeknight Savior: Prep takes just minutes, and the slow cooker does all the hard work, making it perfect for hectic schedules and tired home cooks.

Everything You Need For Amish Harvest Casserole

Protein Base:
  • Ground Beef: Rich protein source for hearty meal foundation, choose lean variety for less fat.
  • Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor enhancers that add depth and aromatic profile to the meat base.
Vegetable Medley:
  • Carrots, Potatoes, Corn, Green Beans: Colorful mix of nutritious vegetables providing texture and balanced nutrition, select fresh or frozen options.
Seasoning and Binding:
  • Mushroom Soup: Creamy base that helps bind ingredients and add rich, savory flavor.
  • Thyme, Parsley: Herbs that contribute fresh, earthy notes and subtle complexity to the dish.
Cheese Topping:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melty, sharp cheese that creates golden, gooey layer with rich dairy flavor, select medium or sharp for best taste.

How To Cook Amish Harvest Casserole With Ease

How To Cook Amish Harvest Casserole With Ease

Step 1: Sizzle Ground Beef

  • Heat skillet over medium-high flame
  • Crumble ground beef into pan
  • Cook beef until completely browned
  • Drain excess fat thoroughly
  • Add chopped onions and minced garlic
  • Sauté until vegetables become translucent and fragrant
  • Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker

Step 2: Build Vegetable Foundation

  • Layer into slow cooker: sliced carrots, diced potatoes, whole kernel corn, fresh green beans
  • Pour cream of mushroom soup over vegetables
  • Sprinkle dried thyme and chopped parsley
  • Gently fold ingredients to combine

Step 3: Slow Cooking Magic

  • Cover slow cooker
  • Set temperature to LOW
  • Cook for 6-8 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours)
  • Verify vegetables become fork-tender
  • Liquid should slightly thicken

Step 4: Cheese Crowning Glory

  • Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across casserole top
  • Allow cheese to melt completely
  • Let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving
  • Scoop into warm serving dishes
  • Enjoy comforting farm-style meal

Tips For The Best Amish Harvest Casserole

  • Drain Thoroughly: Pat ground beef with paper towels after draining to remove excess grease, ensuring a lighter and less oily casserole.
  • Veggie Prep Matters: Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Grate fresh cheddar cheese for better melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
  • Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
  • Enhance Herb Flavor: Use fresh thyme and parsley instead of dried herbs to boost the overall aromatic profile of the dish.

How To Store And Reheat Amish Harvest Casserole

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Transfer casserole to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Reheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Cover casserole with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Microwave: Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed. Add splash of broth if needed to maintain moisture.

What Goes Well With Amish Harvest Casserole

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Serve a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the hearty beef and rich cheese flavors in this casserole.
  • Match with Rustic Bread: Choose a crusty sourdough or country-style bread to soak up the delicious mushroom soup and provide a satisfying texture contrast.
  • Enhance with Fresh Green Salad: Create a crisp side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette to balance the casserole's warmth and add refreshing notes.
  • Complement with Craft Beer: Select a malty amber ale or brown beer that echoes the earthy flavors of the vegetables and provides a smooth, complementary drinking experience.

Simple Twists On Amish Harvest Casserole

  • Vegetarian Harvest Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils, maintaining the same cooking method and vegetable layers for a meat-free version.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap mushroom soup with homemade cream sauce using gluten-free flour or cornstarch, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute beef with ground lamb, add oregano instead of thyme, and top with feta cheese for a Greek-style flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets, use zucchini noodles instead of corn, and choose a lower-carb cream sauce to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
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Rustic Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe

Rustic Amish Harvest Casserole Recipe


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4.9 from 27 reviews

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

Description

Hearty Amish Harvest Casserole delivers pure comfort with layers of seasonal vegetables and creamy textures that sing of homestyle cooking. Generations of farm kitchens perfected this satisfying dish you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (1 lb / 454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) potatoes, diced
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) green beans, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauce:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the protein base by thoroughly browning ground beef in a skillet, ensuring complete rendering of excess fat. Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
  2. Transfer the meat mixture into a slow cooker, creating a foundational layer for the hearty casserole. Carefully arrange diced carrots, cubed potatoes, sweet corn kernels, and tender green beans atop the seasoned meat.
  3. Delicately pour creamy mushroom soup over the vegetable medley, using gentle circular motions to distribute evenly. Sprinkle a blend of dried thyme and parsley across the surface, gently folding ingredients to ensure uniform seasoning and moisture distribution.
  4. Set slow cooker to low temperature, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep, rich flavors over 6-7 hours. Vegetables should become fork-tender and ingredients harmoniously integrated.
  5. During the final half hour of cooking, generously scatter sharp cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface. Allow cheese to melt completely, creating a golden, bubbling topping that adds luxurious creaminess.
  6. After cooking completes, permit the casserole to rest for 10-12 minutes, enabling flavors to settle and sauce to slightly thicken. Serve warm, allowing each portion to showcase the perfectly blended ingredients.

Notes

  • Optimize meat flavor by using high-quality ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for extra richness and juiciness.
  • Boost vegetable nutrition by substituting frozen veggies with fresh seasonal produce from local farmers’ markets.
  • Accommodate gluten-sensitive diets by replacing mushroom soup with homemade cream sauce using gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
  • Enhance protein content for vegetarian versions by
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 hours
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Sophia Rivera

Sophia Rivera

Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

  • Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Seasonal and Local Ingredient Utilization
  • Dessert Menu Planning
  • Culinary Event Coordination

Education

Austin Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.

San Antonio Culinary Institute

  • Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
  • Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.

Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. 

Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.

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