Description
This Easy Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese sauce, and tender sliced potatoes. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole features layers of flavorful beef mixture and potatoes, topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter (plus extra for dotting)
Seasonings and Others
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- Cooking spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat from the pan.
- Add Onions and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Season with salt, pepper, paprika (if using), and thyme, stirring well.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in beef broth (or water) and milk while stirring continuously to form a creamy sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in Cheese and Sour Cream: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the sour cream and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Layer in the Casserole: Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Spread the cheesy ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
- Add More Potatoes: Layer the remaining sliced potatoes over the beef mixture evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Dot the surface with small pieces of butter for added richness.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy ground beef and potato casserole!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth instead of water.
- Thinly slicing the potatoes ensures they cook fully during baking.
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with a mix of mozzarella and parmesan for a different cheese flavor.
- Adding a pinch of smoked paprika instead of regular paprika gives a smoky depth.
- If desired, fresh herbs like parsley can be sprinkled on top before serving.
