Probably the best explanation will come from Freudenthal's method for recursive computation of weight multiplicities in any irreducible representation of a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ (say over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0).   The quadratic Casimir action is by the scalar $c$ indicated in the question, for any highest weight.   But here only the *minuscule* highest weights are involved, as defined in Bourbaki's *Lie Groups and Lie Algebras* (Chap. 8, $\S7.3$).   Such weights are among the fundamental weights $\varpi_1, \dots, \varpi_\ell$, characterized for example as those $\varpi_i$ for which the coefficient of the corresponding simple root $\alpha_i$ in the highest root is 1.  The key property of the representation with this highest weight is that all weights are in a single Weyl group orbit and thus have multiplicity 1.

The case-by-case construction of irreducible root systems and lists of data including formulas for $2\rho$ are given in Bourbaki, Chap. 6.   The Coxeter number $h$ (of the root system or its Weyl group) turns out to be 1 plus the sum of coefficients of the highest root when expressed in terms of simple roots, while the "dual Coxeter number" $h^\vee$ or $g$ defined by Kac substitutes the highest short root of the dual root system in cases where there are two root lengths.    In the question here, $h = h^\vee$.  

While all fundamental weights in type $A_\ell$ are minuscule, only 3, 2, 1 (resp.) are of this type for $D_\ell, E_6, E_7$.    Note that the factor $1/2$ on both sides of the equation in the question can be cancelled, so the essential formulation for a minuscule $\varpi = \varpi_i$ reads: $$\frac{c}{(h+1)} = \frac{(\varpi,\varpi+2\rho)}{(h+1)} = (\varpi, \varpi).$$

For example, in type $A_1$, $2 \varpi = \alpha$ (the single simple root), $h=2$, and the equation is clear.   For type $E_6$ and $\varpi = \varpi_1$ (highest weight of the natural $27$-dimensional representation), Bourbaki's tables make it easy to verify the equation; here $h=12$.   

I think the reason for the term $h+1$ can be seen in Freudenthal's method for the minuscule case, but will have to check that more carefully.   Similarly, it may take some care to get the right formulation for the other types $B_\ell, C_\ell, F_4, G_2$.   But only classical finite dimensional representation theory should be needed here.  [EDIT: I'm still undecided about the best way to get a case-free proof, but some further checking does indicate that for minuscule highest weights $\varpi$ only, the Casimir scalar $c$ is always given by $(h+1) (\varpi, \varpi)$.  Only the extra cases $B_\ell, C_\ell$ occur here, with respective weights $\varpi_\ell, \varpi_1$ in Bourbaki numbering.  The dual Coxeter number $h^\vee$ seems to play no role at all.]

ADDED: Freudenthal did not use the Coxeter number directly, but indirectly it helps one to compute the Casimir operator here due to the standard identity $(h+1) \ell = \dim \mathfrak{g}$.  (This was first observed empirically, but later explained theoretically by Kostant.)