Description
Cowboy beef potato casserole brings ranch-style comfort straight to your dinner table with layers of savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese that’ll remind you of home-cooked goodness. Packed with rustic flavors and simple ingredients, this dish delivers a satisfying meal perfect for hungry families craving a classic Western-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 medium potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray for greasing
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Get everything ready for this hearty meal.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and break it into crumbles while cooking until completely browned.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet. Toss in 1 small chopped onion and 1 chopped green bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Create the first potato layer across the bottom of your greased baking dish using half of the 4 thinly sliced potatoes.
- Spread the entire beef mixture over the potato layer, creating an even distribution of meat and vegetables.
- Top the beef with the remaining potato slices, forming a final potato layer.
- Whisk 1 cup sour cream and ½ cup milk in a bowl until completely smooth.
- Pour the creamy mixture across the casserole, ensuring all layers get covered.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top, covering the entire surface.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes until potatoes feel tender when pierced.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt and develop a golden color.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the layers settle and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better texture and easier slicing in your casserole.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy final dish and ensure crisp potato edges.
- For a lower-carb version, swap potatoes with cauliflower or rutabaga slices.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top for added color and fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 373 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 335 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg