Cozy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe for Family Nights

Have you ever craved a hearty ground beef & potato casserole that brings comfort to your dinner table?

Crispy potato layers mingle with savory meat in this classic dish.

Weeknight meals demand delicious solutions that satisfy hungry appetites.

Rustic and filling, this casserole promises warmth in every bite.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a memorable meal.

Regional home cooks have perfected this recipe through generations of love and care.

You will want to bookmark this recipe for future cozy dinners.

Ground Beef Casserole Comfort Bake

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Grab a large skillet and cook ground beef over medium heat.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon while it sizzles.

Once browned, drain away excess fat.

• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions become soft and fragrant.

Step 2: Whip Up The Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Whole milk
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Layer The Casserole

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease it.

Create a beautiful base layer with thinly sliced potatoes.

Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.

Pour the creamy sauce, making sure it covers every delicious inch.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide it into the oven.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top.

Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket and potatoes turn tender.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes.

If desired, garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Slice and serve this warm, comforting meal that’ll make everyone at the table smile.

Smart Tricks for Ground Beef Potato Casserole

• Pat ground beef dry after draining to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a crispy and well-textured casserole.
• Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform potato slices, promoting consistent cooking and a professional presentation.
• Swap cheddar with gruyere, mozzarella, or pepper jack for exciting flavor variations that suit different taste preferences.
• Add diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and introduce extra layers of flavor to the casserole.
• Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making meal planning convenient and stress-free.

Ground Beef Casserole Kept Warm

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing for up to 2 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Heartwarming Pairings for Beef Casserole

• Pair Robust Red Wine with Savory Beef: A bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec complements the rich, meaty flavors of the casserole, cutting through its creamy texture and enhancing the dish's depth.
• Craft a Fresh Green Salad Companion: Toss a crisp mixed greens salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the casserole's heaviness, adding a light, refreshing counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve Zesty Pickled Side: Include quick-pickled vegetables like cucumbers or red onions to provide a sharp, acidic contrast that cuts through the dish's richness and adds bright, clean notes to the meal.
• Recommend Craft Beer Pairing: Choose a malty amber ale or hoppy IPA that stands up to the beef's robust flavor, offering a complementary taste profile that enhances the overall dining experience.

Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Hearty Versions

• Vegetarian Bean Swap: Replace ground beef with black beans or lentils for a protein-packed plant-based version that maintains the casserole's hearty texture.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute potatoes with thinly sliced cauliflower to create a keto-friendly option that reduces carbohydrate content while keeping the creamy, comforting essence.
• Gluten-Free Herb Infusion: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and replace regular milk with lactose-free or almond milk to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.
• Mediterranean Spice Remix: Incorporate feta cheese instead of cheddar and add oregano, diced tomatoes, and spinach for a Greek-inspired variation that brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to the classic casserole.

FAQs

• Is this casserole suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this ground beef and potato casserole is perfect for meal prep. You can prepare it in advance, refrigerate, and reheat portions throughout the week for quick and easy meals.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground lamb for a different flavor profile while maintaining the same delicious casserole structure.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

To reduce costs, use cheaper cuts of ground beef, buy potatoes in bulk, and look for sales on cheese and sour cream. Buying ingredients when they’re on sale can significantly lower the overall recipe expense.

• What are some recommended side dishes to serve with this casserole?

Green salads, steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans, and crusty bread work wonderfully with this hearty casserole. These sides help balance the rich and savory main dish.

Ground Beef Potato Casserole That’s Filling and Familiar

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whips up a delicious meal in under an hour with minimal prep work, perfect for busy families craving a hearty dinner.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Offers a crowd-pleasing dish that combines familiar ingredients like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese, sure to satisfy both kids and adults.
• One-Pan Wonder: Simplifies cooking by using a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and making meal preparation stress-free and convenient.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Utilizes affordable ingredients and feeds a crowd, making it an economical option for those watching their grocery spending while still enjoying a satisfying meal.

Ground Beef Potato Casserole Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source that adds hearty flavor and depth to the casserole, choose lean ground beef for less fat.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides umami depth and enhances meat flavor, classic seasoning for beef dishes.

• Sour Cream, Milk, Cheddar Cheese: Creamy components that create rich sauce and cheesy topping, select full-fat versions for best taste.

• Potatoes, Onion, Garlic: Foundational vegetables that provide texture and base flavor, choose firm potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for best results.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that adds fresh color and light herb notes.

• Oregano, Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Essential spices that balance and elevate the overall dish flavor, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum taste.

• Aluminum Foil: Used for initial covered baking to help potatoes cook evenly, helps retain moisture during cooking process.

Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ground beef and potato casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Layers of seasoned meat, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for flavor and color)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces and eliminating excess grease.
2. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until the aromatics soften and release their fragrant essence.
3. Whisk together the creamy sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl, blending sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika until achieving a uniform, silky consistency.
4. Prepare the baking vessel by greasing a 9×13-inch dish and creating an initial layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom.
5. Distribute the seasoned meat mixture evenly over the potato foundation, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
6. Gently cascade the prepared sauce across the meat and potato landscape, using a spatula to spread it comprehensively.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and shield the casserole with aluminum foil for initial baking.
8. Roast the covered casserole for approximately 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to tenderize and flavors to meld.
9. Remove the foil, generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface, and return to the oven.
10. Continue baking an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust and potatoes reach perfect tenderness.
11. Rest the casserole momentarily after removing from the oven, allowing flavors to stabilize before serving.
12. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.

Notes

• Lean Ground Beef Swap: Choose ground beef with lower fat content like 90/10 to reduce greasiness and create a healthier version of the casserole.
• Vegetable Boost: Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavor layers.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole in advance and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld and simplifies meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg