Description
Ground beef potato casserole combines hearty beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese. It’s a comforting dinner option that requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
Main Starches:
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ medium onion, chopped
- 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) milk
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a large skillet and brown 1 pound (450g) ground beef over medium heat. Chop ½ medium onion and add to the meat, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the beef and onions, stirring to create an even coating. Gradually pour in 1 ½ cups (360ml) milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it transforms into a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease coating. Peel and slice 6 medium potatoes into thin rounds. Create the first layer by arranging half the potato slices across the bottom of the dish.
- Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the potato layer. Sprinkle ¾ cup (85g) shredded cheddar cheese on top. Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and an additional ¾ cup (85g) cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60-70 minutes. During the last 10-15 minutes, remove the foil to allow the cheese to develop a golden-brown color.
- After removing from the oven, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier. Slice and enjoy your hearty meal straight from the oven.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole, which can make the dish heavy and less appetizing.
- Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best texture and ability to hold the creamy sauce.
- Season the beef mixture generously with herbs like thyme or rosemary to add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with lean ground turkey and use low-fat cheese to reduce overall calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg