Description
Montana’s hearty big montana casserole blends rustic ranch flavors with comfort ingredients. Savory beef, melted cheese, and crisp vegetables create a robust meal that connects home cooks with western culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 3 russet potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 375F (190C) and thoroughly 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, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until meat is completely browned and no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbs.
- Create the creamy sauce by whisking cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until perfectly smooth and well-integrated.
- Create the first foundational layer by arranging thinly sliced potatoes across the entire bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Distribute the browned beef mixture evenly over the potato layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Drizzle half of the creamy soup mixture across the beef, then sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining potatoes, beef mixture, soup mixture, and cheese, creating a symmetrical casserole structure.
- Strategically place small butter pieces across the top layer to enhance richness and promote golden browning.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until potatoes become tender and cheese turns golden and bubbling.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving, which helps set the layers and intensify flavors. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Consider using sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes to boost nutritional value and add a subtle sweetness to the casserole.
- For a gluten-free option, replace cream of mushroom soup with a homemade version using cornstarch as a thickener and gluten-free ingredients.
- Enhance the dish’s depth by adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms during the beef sautéing stage for extra texture and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg