Mediterranean Cheeseburger Texas Toast Casserole

This Mediterranean Cheeseburger Texas Toast Casserole has a rich, cheesy, and savory flavor. We prepare this casserole with ground beef, Texas toast, tomatoes, spinach, onion, garlic, Greek yogurt, feta cheese, mozzarella, olive oil, oregano, paprika, and fresh parsley. This casserole has approximately 485 calories and 30 g of net carbs. We make this casserole in about 50 minutes. This Mediterranean Cheeseburger Texas Toast Casserole is ideal for family dinners, weeknight meals, casual gatherings, weekend lunches, comfort-food cravings, and Mediterranean-inspired meals. You can prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for 4 days or freeze it for almost 2 months. You can serve this casserole with greek cucumber salad, tomato and feta salad, roasted mediterranean vegetables, tzatziki sauce, or grilled zucchini.

STATS:

• Course: Main Course, Dinner
• No. of Calories: 485 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
• Cook time: 30 minutes
• Portion size: 1/8 of casserole
• Cooking mode: Oven-baked
• Total servings: 8
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Total time: 50 minutes

TOOLS:

• Skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Bowl
• Baking dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Aluminum foil
• Spatula

INGREDIENTS:

BEEF FILLING:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• ½ cup feta cheese
• ½ tsp salt

CASSEROLE:

• 8 slices Texas toast
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup parsley
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

GROUND BEEF:

• We use lean ground beef to provide a hearty and savory cheeseburger flavor.

TEXAS TOAST:

• We use Texas toast to create a thick, soft, and hearty bread layer. You can use whole-grain Texas toast, sourdough bread, or thick-cut whole-wheat bread.

MOZZARELLA CHEESE:

• Mozzarella provides a smooth, stretchy, and cheesy topping. You can substitute provolone, Monterey Jack, or part-skim mozzarella.

FETA CHEESE:

• Feta adds a tangy Mediterranean flavor to the beef mixture. You can substitute goat cheese or use additional mozzarella.

GREEK YOGURT:

• Greek yogurt gives the filling a hint of acidity and creaminess. You can substitute light sour cream or thick strained yogurt.

SPINACH:

• Spinach adds color, freshness, and vegetables to the casserole. You can substitute chopped kale.

TOMATOES:

• Fresh tomatoes provide moisture and a fresh flavor. You can use drained canned tomatoes as an alternative.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. We warm the oven to 190° Celcius and gently coat a dish using olive oil.
2. Preheat the olive oil in a big pan on a normal flame.
3. Include the diced onion and cook for almost three minutes till softened.
4. Put the ground beef and cook for only six minutes, breaking it apart till completely cooked and browned.
5. Whisk in the tomato paste, garlic, salt, oregano, black pepper, and paprika.
6. Cook for just two minutes till fragrant.
7. Include the spinach and diced tomatoes and cook for an extra two minutes till the spinach wilts.
8. Put off the skillet from the flame and whisk in the feta cheese and Greek yogurt.
9. Keep half of the Texas toast slices in the coated dish.
10. Distribute 1/2 of the beef mixture on the Texas toast.
11. Add 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese on the mixture of beef as a garnish.
12. Include the leftover Texas toast.
13. Spread the remaining beef mixture on the toast.
14. Garnish with the leftover mozzarella cheese.
15. Sprinkle the optional sesame seeds and chopped parsley.
16. Wrap the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for only twenty minutes.
17. Eliminate the foil and bake for an extra eight minutes till the cheese melts and becomes lightly golden.
18. Allow the casserole to sit for just five minutes, cut into slices, and then serve.

TIPS:

• Strain out the extra grease from the beef and then assemble the casserole.
• We utilize a thick Texas toast to avoid the bread from getting extra soft.
• Cool the casserole for some time and then make slices to make the portions clean.
• We utilize fresh oregano and garlic to get a stronger Mediterranean flavor.
• You could include sliced olives or roasted red peppers for additional flavor.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH & LIGHT:

• Greek Cucumber Salad
• Tomato and Feta Salad
• Lemon Herb Salad
• Grilled Zucchini
• Fresh Olives

MEDITERRANEAN PAIRINGS:

• Tzatziki Sauce
• Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Greek Salad
• Roasted Red Peppers

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put the cooled casserole in a closed box and refrigerate it for almost three days.

FREEZER:

• Store the cooled portions for almost 2 months.

FAQs:

May we prepare this casserole earlier?

• Yes, you can assemble the casserole, wrap it, chill it for longer than twenty-four hours, and then bake.

Could we include extra veggies?

• Yes, you can use roasted red peppers, bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.

May we utilize whole-wheat bread?

• Yes, you might use thick-cut whole-wheat bread as a different option for Texas toast.

Will we prepare this casserole without feta cheese?

• Yes, you can skip the feta or swap it with extra mozzarella or goat cheese.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

Proteins: 27 g

Caloric Content: 485 kcal

Net carbs: 30 g

Sodium: 720 mg

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 5 g

Fats: 27 g

Portion Size: 1/8 of recipe

Total carbs: 33 g