Cheesy Beef and Bean Casserole

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A hearty comfort dish with layers of seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, and melted cheese, topped with a golden-brown breadcrumb crust. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground beef, canned kidney beans, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 500 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs ground beef
2 cups drained canned kidney beans
1 cup tomato sauce
1 diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1.5 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup breadcrumbs

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, cook 1.5 lbs ground beef over medium heat until browned and crumbly, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Step 2: Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in 2 cups drained kidney beans and 1 cup tomato sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and heated through.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp butter, and 1/4 cup milk until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Transfer the beef and bean mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Evenly spread 1.5 cups grated cheddar cheese over the top.
Step 6: In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup breadcrumbs with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.