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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces and eliminating excess grease.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until the aromatics soften and release their fragrant essence.
- 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.
- Prepare the baking vessel by greasing a 9×13-inch dish and creating an initial layer of thinly sliced potatoes across the bottom.
- Distribute the seasoned meat mixture evenly over the potato foundation, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Gently cascade the prepared sauce across the meat and potato landscape, using a spatula to spread it comprehensively.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and shield the casserole with aluminum foil for initial baking.
- Roast the covered casserole for approximately 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to tenderize and flavors to meld.
- Remove the foil, generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface, and return to the oven.
- Continue baking an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust and potatoes reach perfect tenderness.
- Rest the casserole momentarily after removing from the oven, allowing flavors to stabilize before serving.
- 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