Meat and Potato Casserole

 

This Meat and Potato Casserole is the definition of comfort food. Featuring savory layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy sauce all topped with melted cheese, it's a hearty, all-in-one meal that is both simple to make and incredibly satisfying for the whole family.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 4-5 medium potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), thinly sliced

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

• ½ cup milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 tsp paprika (optional, for color and flavor)

• 1 tbsp butter or oil (for greasing)

Instructions

1. Prep and Preheat:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch or similar baking dish with butter or oil.

2. Cook the Meat Layer:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.

• Season the mixture with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Cream Sauce:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until you have a smooth, pourable sauce.

4. Assemble the Casserole:

• First Layer: Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

• Second Layer: Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes.

• Third Layer: Pour half of the cream sauce evenly over the beef.

• Repeat: Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef, and cream sauce.

• Final Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. For a golden finish, dust with paprika.

5. Bake to Perfection:

• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.

• Remove the foil and continue baking, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the top is bubbly and golden brown.

6. Serve:

• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set for easier serving.

Pro Tips & Variations

• Potato Prep: For even cooking, try to slice the potatoes to a uniform thickness, about ¼-inch thick. A mandoline slicer works perfectly for this.

• Make it Cheesier: Feel free to add more cheese between the layers for an extra indulgent casserole.

• Add Veggies: Incorporate a layer of frozen mixed vegetables (like peas and carrots) between the meat and potatoes for a nutritional boost.

• Crispy Topping: For a crunchy texture, mix ¼ cup of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers with the shredded cheese before sprinkling it on top.

• Alternative Proteins: Ground turkey, chicken, or pork sausage can be used in place of the ground beef.