Cheesy Ground Beef & Green Bean Skillet Bake

Table of Contents

Your New Favorite One-Pan Wonder is Here!

Hey there, friend! Let’s be real for a second. Some days, the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove, juggling three different pots and pans, only to be left with a mountain of dishes that stare at you accusingly from the sink. I get it. I’m a chef, and even *I* have those days. That’s why my heart (and my stomach) does a little happy dance for recipes like this one.

Let me introduce you to my Cheesy Ground Beef & Green Bean Skillet Bake. This, right here, is a weeknight warrior, a comfort food champion, and a certified crowd-pleaser all rolled into one glorious, bubbly, cheesy dish. Imagine tender ground beef and crisp-tender green beans, all nestled in a savory, creamy sauce with fluffy rice, and then the whole thing gets smothered in a blanket of melty, golden cheese. Are you swooning yet? You should be.

The best part? It all comes together in one single oven-safe skillet. From stovetop to oven to table, this is minimal fuss for maximum flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day, the kind that has everyone asking for seconds. It’s affordable, it’s satisfying, and it proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. So, grab your favorite skillet, and let’s make something delicious together!

The Little Skillet That Could: A Kitchen Memory

This recipe takes me right back to my first apartment after culinary school. My kitchen was, to put it kindly, cozy (read: tiny). Counter space was a myth, and my cabinet was home to exactly one pot, one saucepan, and my trusty, slightly-lopsided cast-iron skillet. That skillet saw it all. It was my partner in crime for searing steaks, frying eggs, and, on more than one memorable occasion, serving as a makeshift baking dish.

One particularly hectic Wednesday, I was staring into my nearly-bare fridge, willing dinner to magically appear. I had some ground beef, a bag of frozen green beans from my grandma (who always insisted I “keep some veggies on hand”), and a container of leftover rice. In a moment of “what’s the worst that could happen?” inspiration, I threw it all into that loyal skillet, added a can of soup for creaminess, topped it with the last shreds of cheddar, and popped it in the oven.

The smell that wafted out 25 minutes later was pure magic. It was the smell of resourcefulness, of comfort, of making something wonderful out of simple things. That’s the spirit of this dish. It’s not about fancy techniques or exotic ingredients; it’s about heart, flavor, and coming home to a meal that just feels right.

Gathering Your Cast of Characters

One of the beautiful things about this recipe is its beautiful simplicity. You probably have most of these ingredients hanging out in your pantry or fridge right now! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 blend is perfect): This is our hearty, savory base. The little bit of fat in an 80/20 blend adds so much flavor! Chef’s Tip: For a leaner option, you can use ground turkey or chicken, but you might want to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to the pan when browning it to keep things moist.
1 cup Cooked Rice: This is our fabulous filler, soaking up all the delicious saucy goodness. Chef’s Insight: Day-old rice works BRILLIANTLY here as it holds its texture better. White, brown, or even cauliflower rice all work—use what you love!
1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup: Don’t underestimate the power of this pantry superstar! It’s our secret weapon for creating a rich, creamy sauce without any fuss. Substitution Tip: Cream of chicken or celery soup are fantastic swaps. For a from-scratch version, you can make a quick white sauce and sauté some mushrooms!
1 can Beef Broth: This thins our soup-into-sauce and adds a deep, savory backbone to the whole dish. Chef’s Insight: Using low-sodium broth gives you total control over the salt level. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
1–2 cups Green Beans: Our pop of color and fresh, crisp texture! Chef’s Tip: I’m not picky here! Fresh, frozen, or canned all work. If using fresh, just give them a quick chop. If using canned, be sure to drain and rinse them first.
Salt & Pepper to Taste: The dynamic duo of seasoning. We’ll build layers of flavor with these.
Garlic Powder & Steak Seasoning (to taste): This is where we add some personality! Garlic powder brings that warm, aromatic flavor, while a good steak seasoning (like Montreal Steak Seasoning) adds a punch of herbs and pepper. Substitution Tip: No steak seasoning? No problem! A mix of onion powder, a pinch of paprika, and some dried thyme will do the trick.
1 ½ – 2 cups Sliced or Shredded Cheese (I love sharp cheddar!): The glorious, melty, golden crown on our masterpiece. Chef’s Insight: I highly recommend shredding your own cheese from a block! Pre-shredded cheese is coated to prevent clumping, which can make it less melty. Trust me, the extra minute of work is worth it for that ooey-gooey factor.

Let’s Build Some Deliciousness: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to see how this all comes together? It’s so easy, you’ll have it memorized after just one try. Let’s get cooking!

Preheat & Prep. First things first, get that oven heating to a cozy 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature to get everything hot and bubbly while giving our cheese a beautiful, lightly-browned finish. Chef’s Hack: While the oven is preheating, take your cheese out of the fridge to let it come closer to room temperature. It’ll melt more evenly and beautifully!
Brown that Beautiful Beef. Grab your trusty oven-safe skillet (if you don’t have one, a 9×13 baking dish works perfectly too!). Crumble in your ground beef and cook it over medium-high heat until it’s beautifully browned and no longer pink. Once it’s cooked, this is a crucial step—drain off the excess grease. This keeps our final dish from being overly greasy. Chef’s Tip: Don’t just dump the grease down the drain! Let the skillet cool slightly, then carefully pour the grease into an old can or jar to dispose of once it solidifies.
Create the Creamy Dream Sauce. In a medium bowl, grab a whisk or a fork and combine your cream of mushroom soup with the entire can of beef broth. Whisk it until it’s smooth and silky, with no lumps of soup in sight. This mixture is the magic elixir that binds our entire bake together!
The Grand Skillet Assembly. To the skillet with your drained ground beef, add the cooked rice and your green beans. Give it a gentle stir to combine. Now, pour that luscious, creamy soup and broth mixture right over the top. Stir everything together until every single grain of rice and every green bean is coated in that savory sauce. Chef’s Commentary: This is where the magic starts to smell real! Take a moment to appreciate the simple beauty in that skillet.
Season with Love. Now, it’s time to wake up those flavors! Sprinkle the entire surface generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and that fantastic steak seasoning. Don’t be shy! Taste a tiny bit of the mixture (it’s cooked, so it’s safe!) and adjust the seasonings to your liking. This is your dish—make it sing for you!
The Cheesy Blanket of Joy. The final flourish! Evenly sprinkle your glorious shredded or lay your sliced cheese over the entire surface. Cover every inch! We’re going for total cheesy coverage here. Chef’s Hack: For an extra-golden and crispy cheese top, you can add a very light sprinkle of that steak seasoning over the cheese before it goes in the oven.
Bake to Bubbly Perfection. Carefully transfer your loaded skillet to the preheated oven. Bake it uncovered for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be actively bubbling and the cheese to be completely melted, lightly golden, and possibly even a little spotty-brown in the most delicious way. Chef’s Tip: If you want more browning on top, you can switch your oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, but WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK! Cheese can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
The Hardest Part: Let it Rest! I know, I know. It smells incredible and you just want to dive in. But trust me on this one. Pull the skillet out of the oven (use a good oven mitt—the handle is HOT!) and let it sit on the stovetop for about 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken up just a bit and makes serving so much easier.

How to Serve This Skillet Superstar

Presentation is part of the fun! Since this is a one-pan meal, I love to bring the whole skillet right to the table. It’s rustic, it’s inviting, and it screams “family-style comfort food.”

Grab a big serving spoon and dish it up right from the pan. I like to serve it in shallow bowls because that creamy sauce is liquid gold and you don’t want to waste a drop. This dish is a complete meal all on its own, but if you’re feeling fancy or feeding a bigger crowd, here are a few of my favorite sides to round out the table:

A simple, crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
A loaf of crusty, warm garlic bread for dipping and mopping up every last bit of sauce.
For a fresh, bright contrast, some quick-pickled red onions or a side of roasted cherry tomatoes.

No matter how you serve it, the goal is to gather, share, and enjoy. That’s what it’s all about!

Make It Your Own: Delicious Twists & Swaps

One of the best things about a foundational recipe like this is how incredibly adaptable it is. Feel free to get creative and use what you have! Here are a few of my favorite variations:

“Shepherd’s Pie” Style: Swap the green beans for a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn). After adding the cheese, you can even spread a layer of mashed potatoes over the top and bake until golden!
Tex-Mex Fiesta: Swap the ground beef for ground chorizo or seasoned ground turkey. Use a can of Rotel diced tomatoes & green chiles instead of the cream of mushroom soup, and use pepper jack cheese. Ole!
Mushroom Lover’s Dream: Sauté 8 oz of sliced cremini mushrooms with the ground beef. Use cream of mushroom soup as directed, but also add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the broth for an extra umami kick.
Lower-Carb Version: This is a breeze! Simply replace the rice with cauliflower rice (no need to cook it first) and use a cream of mushroom soup that’s lower in carbs. The rest of the steps stay exactly the same!
Extra Creamy & Dreamy: Stir in ½ cup of sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt into the beef and rice mixture right before you top it with cheese. This adds an incredible tang and richness.

From My Kitchen to Yours: A Few Parting Thoughts

This recipe has been a part of my life for so long, it’s practically family. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things. I once, in a sleepy morning haze, accidentally used cream of chicken *with herbs* and it was a happy accident that we now request! I’ve also learned that this is the ultimate “clean out the fridge” dish. A lone bell pepper? Dice it and sauté it with the beef. A half-used bag of corn? Toss it in! A few stray slices of provolone? You bet that’s going on top.

It’s a forgiving, flexible, and utterly delicious recipe that has never let me down. It’s been there for potlucks, new babies, busy Tuesdays, and everything in between. I hope it becomes just as beloved in your home.

Your Questions, Answered!

I’ve made this so many times, I can almost anticipate your questions! Here are the answers to a few common ones.

Q: I don’t have an oven-safe skillet. What can I use instead?
A: No problem at all! Simply brown your ground beef in any regular skillet, then transfer the drained beef, rice, and green beans to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Proceed with the recipe from there!
Q: My casserole came out a bit dry. What happened?
A: This usually means it baked for a little too long, or your rice was very absorbent. Next time, you can add an extra ¼ cup of beef broth. Also, make sure your skillet isn’t too large—a 10 or 12-inch skillet is ideal. If the layer seems thin, it will cook faster and dry out more easily.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish (right up to adding the cheese), cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the fridge, but add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
Q: Can I use uncooked rice?
A: I don’t recommend it for this specific method. The liquid ratio and cooking time aren’t designed to cook raw rice through, and you’d likely end up with hard, undercooked rice. Using pre-cooked rice ensures the perfect texture every time.

A Quick Look at the Nourishment

I’m all about balance! While this is a comforting, hearty dish, it’s helpful to know what’s in it. The nutritional information below is an estimate per serving (assuming this recipe serves 5), and can vary greatly based on the specific ingredients and brands you use (like the leanness of your beef, the type of soup, etc.).

Calories: ~380
Protein: 22g (Fantastic for keeping you full and satisfied!)
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fat: 24g

If you’re looking to lighten things up while keeping all that satisfying flavor, try a few of these tweaks:

Use lean ground beef (93/7) or ground turkey to reduce fat and calories.
Choose a “Healthy Request” or low-sodium cream of mushroom soup.
Go easy on the cheese — or mix half cheddar with part-skim mozzarella for that gooey pull with fewer calories.
Add extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or cauliflower rice for bulk and nutrients.

The best part? This skillet bake still feels indulgent, even when made lighter. It’s a well-balanced, family-friendly comfort dish that fits perfectly into real life — busy schedules, hungry bellies, and all.

Final, Delicious Thoughts

This Cheesy Ground Beef & Green Bean Skillet Bake is everything I love about real-life comfort food — easy, hearty, and endlessly adaptable. It’s proof that you don’t need a dozen ingredients or a complicated prep list to make something that feels special. It’s the kind of dish that quietly earns its way into your weekly rotation, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s dependable, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.

There’s something deeply comforting about a one-pan meal that fills your kitchen with the smell of bubbling cheese and savory goodness. It’s humble, sure, but it carries that same soul-warming magic that only home-cooked food can. Whether you’re cooking for your family, a friend in need, or just yourself after a long day, this skillet bake delivers that cozy, “everything’s gonna be okay” feeling in every bite.

So, dust off that trusty skillet, grab those simple pantry staples, and make yourself this cheesy masterpiece. Because the best kind of comfort food isn’t fancy — it’s the kind that feeds your heart just as much as your hunger. ❤️