Description
Hearty ground beef casserole with potatoes delivers comfort on cold nights. Layers of seasoned meat, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) paprika
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a casserole dish.
- In a skillet, warm olive oil and sauté diced onions with minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces and cooking until thoroughly browned, then carefully drain any accumulated fat.
- Create the first layer of the casserole by arranging a uniform spread of potato slices across the bottom of the greased dish.
- Distribute half of the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the potato base.
- Construct a second layer by placing the remaining potato slices on top of the beef layer.
- Spread the remaining ground beef mixture across the potato layer to ensure consistent coverage.
- Gently pour cream of mushroom soup over the entire casserole, allowing it to seep between layers.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese and a dusting of paprika across the surface for added flavor and color.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to allow flavors to meld and potatoes to soften.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese turns golden and potatoes become tender and crisp.
Notes
- Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier dish without compromising flavor.
- Consider substituting cream of mushroom soup with a homemade sauce or Greek yogurt for a lighter, less processed alternative.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or gruyere to add depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg