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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, ensuring an even cooking environment for the hearty casserole.
- 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.
- Create a foundation of thinly mandolined potatoes, arranging them in an overlapping pattern across a well-greased baking vessel to ensure complete coverage.
- Distribute the fully cooked beef mixture evenly across the potato landscape, creating a robust layer of protein and flavor.
- Cascade a vibrant tomato sauce over the entire surface, seasoning generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the dish’s depth.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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