Hearty Ground Beef Casserole With Potatoes Recipe

Every home cook knows a hearty ground beef casserole can rescue weeknight dinner blues with minimal effort.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen as layers of tender potatoes and seasoned meat meld together.

Comfort arrives in unexpected packages, promising warmth and satisfaction on your plate.

Rustic ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a simple yet deeply satisfying meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Potatoes absorb rich flavors while ground beef adds substantial protein to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Minimal preparation meets maximum flavor in this straightforward recipe that speaks directly to hungry souls.

What Makes Ground Beef Casserole With Potatoes Recipe So Filling

Whip Up Comfort: Perfect Family-Friendly Casserole

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Minimal prep time and simple ingredients make this casserole a lifesaver for busy families needing a delicious meal in under an hour.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ground beef and basic pantry staples, delivering maximum flavor without breaking the bank while feeding multiple people.
• One-Dish Wonder: Eliminates multiple cooking steps and cleanup, combining protein, vegetables, and cheese in a single baking dish for maximum convenience and minimal kitchen mess.
• Kid-Approved Dinner: Cheesy, hearty layers appeal to children and adults alike, transforming a potentially boring meal into an exciting dinnertime experience that everyone will enjoy.

Components In Ground Beef Potato Casserole

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Creamy topping that provides melty, sharp taste and golden color.

• Potatoes: Starchy base that creates a comforting, filling foundation for the dish.
• Onion: Adds sweet and savory depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic and robust background notes.

• Tomato Sauce: Brings moisture and tangy tomato flavor to bind the casserole.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing all other flavors.
• Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Helps with cooking and adds a smooth, light undertone.

Beef And Potato Casserole Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and get ready for a mouthwatering meal that’ll make everyone’s stomach growl with excitement.

Step 2: Sizzle The Meat

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Cook until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown and releases its irresistible aroma.

Step 3: Potato Power Layer

Slice those potatoes super thin – almost like delicate potato chips – and create a stunning base layer in a greased baking dish.

Make sure they’re spread out evenly for maximum deliciousness.

Step 4: Meat Meets Potatoes

Lovingly spread the sizzling ground beef mixture right on top of those potato slices, creating a hearty foundation for your casserole.

Step 5: Sauce It Up

Drench the meat and potatoes with tomato sauce, then sprinkle salt and pepper to give it that perfect flavor kick.

Step 6: Cozy Baking Time

Cover the dish with foil and let it bake for 45 minutes, allowing all those incredible flavors to mingle and dance together.

Step 7: Cheese Crown

Pull out the casserole, remove the foil, and crown it with a generous blanket of cheddar cheese.

Pop it back in the oven uncovered for another 15 minutes until the cheese melts into golden, bubbly perfection.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes – this helps the flavors settle and makes cutting easier.

Then dive in and enjoy your incredible creation!

Pro Moves For Beef And Potato Casserole

• Use high heat to achieve a deep, caramelized color that adds rich flavor to the casserole. Drain excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
• Cut potatoes to the same thickness (about 1/4 inch) to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Mix in dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the ground beef for extra depth and complexity.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternative to create a leaner, lower-fat version of the casserole. Use low-fat cheese for a healthier option.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses to create unique flavor profiles and add personal flair to the dish.

How to Keep Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the casserole stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Ground beef casserole freezes well for up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes. Add extra cheese on top for renewed crispiness.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.

What Goes Well With Beef Potato Casserole

• Boost Hearty Red Wine Pairing: Select a robust red like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec to complement the rich ground beef's savory flavors and cut through the dish's richness.
• Craft Fresh Green Salad Side: Prepare a crisp mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's heaviness and add refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting meal.
• Enhance Creamy Garlic Bread: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread with herbs to soak up excess sauce and provide a delightful crunchy texture alongside the soft potato and beef layers.
• Elevate Crisp Vegetable Slaw: Create a zesty coleslaw with vinegar-based dressing to introduce bright, acidic notes that will lighten the casserole's dense profile and add nutritional variety.

Ground Beef Potato Casserole New Takes

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground beef with lentils or crumbled tofu for a plant-based protein alternative that maintains the casserole's hearty texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower slices or zucchini rounds to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the dish's comforting appeal.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese replacement instead of cheddar, and opt for a tomato sauce without dairy additives.
• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños, chili powder, or hot sauce to the ground beef mixture for those who enjoy a more intense flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat in this casserole?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works great as a leaner alternative to beef. Just make sure to season it well to maintain flavor.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this casserole stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheats easily. It’s perfect for making ahead and enjoying multiple meals throughout the week.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach to the ground beef mixture. This boosts nutrition and adds more flavor and texture to the casserole.

• Do I need to pre-cook the potatoes before layering?

No, you can slice the potatoes thinly and layer them raw. They’ll cook perfectly in the oven while absorbing all the delicious flavors from the meat and sauce.

Ground Beef Casserole With Potatoes Recipe

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4.5 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef casserole delivers comforting layers of savory goodness straight from homestyle kitchen traditions. Potato-packed and richly seasoned, this classic dish promises satisfying warmth that draws families together around the dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables:

• 4 medium potatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, ensuring an even cooking environment for the hearty casserole.
2. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, transform the ground beef into a rich, caramelized mixture by sautéing with aromatic onions and fragrant garlic until the meat develops a deep, golden-brown color.
3. Create a foundation of thinly mandolined potatoes, arranging them in an overlapping pattern across a well-greased baking vessel to ensure complete coverage.
4. Distribute the fully cooked beef mixture evenly across the potato landscape, creating a robust layer of protein and flavor.
5. Cascade a vibrant tomato sauce over the entire surface, seasoning generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the dish’s depth.
6. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil, allowing the ingredients to steam and meld together in the oven’s gentle heat for three-quarters of an hour.
7. Unveil the casserole, crown it with a blanket of sharp cheddar cheese, and return to the oven to transform the cheese into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
8. Allow the casserole to rest briefly, permitting the layers to settle and the flavors to harmonize before serving.

Notes

• Slice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the flavor profile and bring depth to the ground beef mixture.
• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
• Create a gluten-free option by substituting regular tomato sauce with a gluten-free alternative and checking cheese ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg