Description
Montana casserole brings hearty comfort straight from Big Sky Country’s kitchens. Layers of savory beef, local vegetables, and creamy cheese blend perfectly for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 4 russet potatoes (sliced thin)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375F (190C) and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until meat is thoroughly browned and no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
- Whisk cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk in a separate bowl to create a creamy sauce.
- Create the first foundation layer by arranging half of the thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute half of the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the potato layer.
- Generously pour half of the prepared sauce across the beef layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, beef, and sauce, creating a second complete layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and dot with small butter pieces for additional richness.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbling.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Use extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier version of this hearty casserole.
- Swap regular potatoes with sweet potatoes to add more nutrients and a subtle sweetness to the dish.
- For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch instead of cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade cream sauce.
- Cut vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini into the beef layer for added nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg