Ground Beef Potato Casserole
Ground Beef Potato Casserole is warm, cozy, and easy to make. This dish tastes like pure comfort. It has soft potatoes, juicy ground beef, and creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 5 medium potatoes thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup milk
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Optional: parsley for garnish
Instructions
Brown the Ground Beef
- Cook ground beef in a skillet. Break it apart while cooking until no pink remains and it becomes crumbly.
Add Onion and Garlic
- Stir in chopped onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, creating a deep flavor for the casserole.
Season the Meat
- Add salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well so every piece of beef carries seasoning before layering.
Prepare the Sauce
- Combine milk and cream soup in a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy for easy pouring over potatoes.
Slice the Potatoes
- Cut potatoes into thin slices. Keep slices even so they cook at the same speed and stay tender.
Grease the Baking Dish
- Spread butter on the baking dish. Make sure the whole surface is covered for easier serving later.
Add First Potato Layer
- Place one layer of potatoes on the bottom. Spread them evenly to support the next layers well.
Add Beef Layer
- Spoon cooked beef mixture over the potatoes. Spread across the dish for a balanced bite in every slice.
Add Sauce
- Pour some of the sauce on top. Let it drip through the layers to bring moisture and creaminess.
Repeat Layers
- Keep adding potatoes, beef, and sauce until everything is used. End with a final layer of creamy sauce.
Add Cheese
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Cover the surface completely for a golden, melted finish when baked.
Cover with Foil
- Cover the baking dish with foil. This keeps the potatoes soft and helps the casserole cook evenly.
Bake the Casserole
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Let steam build inside to soften the potatoes perfectly.
Remove the Foil
- Take off the foil and bake 15 minutes longer. This helps the cheese melt and gives a nice golden top.
Let It Rest
- Allow the casserole to rest 10 minutes. This makes slicing easier and improves the texture.
Notes
- Slice potatoes as thin as possible. Thin slices cook faster and become softer in the casserole.
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version if you prefer.
- Add frozen peas or corn for extra color and sweetness.
- Use pepper jack cheese if you want a little spicy kick.
- Make it gluten-free by choosing a gluten-free condensed soup.
- Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for a brighter flavor.