Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
This Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting one-dish meal combining tender ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and a rich blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Easy to prepare and budget-friendly, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, delivering satisfying layers of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4–5 medium starchy potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 1 to 1 ½ cups cheese blend (cheddar and mozzarella)
- ½ cup sour cream or creamy sauce
Liquids
- ½ cup beef broth or stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish and seasoning)
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until fully browned. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Drain any excess fat and set aside.
- Slice the Potatoes: Wash and thinly slice the potatoes evenly using a mandoline or sharp knife, aiming for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. Do not pre-cook the slices.
- Assemble the Casserole Layers: Grease a baking dish. Layer a portion of the potato slices to cover the bottom evenly. Spoon some of the beef mixture over the potatoes, sprinkle a portion of the cheese blend, and add a dollop of sour cream or creamy sauce to keep the layers moist. Repeat layering with remaining potatoes, beef, cheese, and sour cream, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover the assembled casserole with foil and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Let It Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow it to firm up and the flavors to develop. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and optionally green onions or extra sour cream before serving.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for creamy, soft layers.
- Slice potatoes evenly using a mandoline or sharp knife for consistent cooking.
- Allow casserole to rest before serving to set properly and enhance flavors.
- Drain excess fat from cooked ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Season each layer lightly to build balanced flavor throughout.
- Keep the foil on during initial baking to lock in moisture and avoid drying out the potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: ground beef casserole, potato casserole, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, baked casserole, cheesy casserole, weeknight meals, family dinner