Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Key Highlights:
- Ready in just over an hour with simple pantry staples
- Perfect make-ahead dinner that reheats like a dream
- Customizable with endless cheese and veggie options
- Ideal comfort food for busy weeknights or Sunday supper
Tired of the same old dinners that leave you washing a mountain of pots and pans? This delicious ground beef and potatoes casserole recipe is your ticket to flavor town without the cleanup headache. I’ve perfected this recipe over years of feeding my hungry family, creating the ultimate one-dish wonder that combines creamy sauce, savory ground beef, and tender potatoes into pure comfort food magic. If you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying meal that won’t keep you chained to the kitchen, you’ve found it!
This delicious ground beef and potatoes casserole recipe works beautifully for meal prep or last-minute dinners. The layers of seasoned beef, sliced potatoes, and gooey cheese create a meal that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Best of all, it serves exactly four people with no weird leftovers!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 495 | – |
| Total Fat | 28g | 36% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 980mg | 43% |
| Total Carbs | 38g | 14% |
| Fiber | 4g | 14% |
| Sugars | 5g | – |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 9×13 inch baking dish | For baking the casserole |
| Large skillet | For cooking the ground beef |
| Sharp knife | For slicing potatoes and onions |
| Cutting board | For safe food prep |
| Measuring cups/spoons | For accurate measurements |
| Cheese grater | For freshly grated cheese |
| Mixing bowls (2) | For sauce preparation |
| Aluminum foil | For covering while baking |
| Wooden spoon | For breaking up ground beef |
| Colander | For draining fat from meat |
| Kitchen timer | For precise cooking times |
Ingredients For The Perfect Casserole
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| For the Base: | ||
| Yukon Gold potatoes | 2 pounds | Sliced 1/4 inch thick |
| Lean ground beef (85/15) | 1 pound | |
| Large onion | 1 | Diced |
| Garlic cloves | 3 | Minced |
| White cheddar cheese | 2 cups | Shredded |
| For the Sauce: | ||
| Cream of mushroom soup | 1 can (10.5 oz) | |
| Beef broth | 1/2 cup | Low sodium preferred |
| Whole milk | 1/2 cup | |
| Dried thyme | 1 teaspoon | |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon | |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon | |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | Divided |
Dietary Notes:
- Contains: Dairy, gluten
- Not suitable for: Vegetarians, vegans
- Can be adapted for: Gluten-free diets (with GF soup)
Optional Substitutions:
- Ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
- Sweet potatoes in place of Yukon Gold
- Different cheese varieties (mozzarella, Colby jack)
- Plant-based ground meat for vegetarian version
- Cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions
Before You Start (15 minutes)
- Take all ingredients out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before starting
- This ensures even cooking and better cheese melting
- Clear and clean your counter space
- Having an organized workspace makes cooking less stressful
- Gather all equipment and place within reach
- Prevents rushing around mid-recipe
- Read through the entire recipe once
- No surprises means smooth sailing!
Kitchen Setup (5 minutes)
- Place your cutting board on a stable surface
- Use a damp paper towel underneath to prevent slipping
- Set up a garbage bowl for scraps
- Saves trips to the trash can
- Fill your sink with hot, soapy water
- Drop dirty tools in as you go for easy cleanup
- Get a clean, damp kitchen towel ready
- Perfect for quick hand wipes between tasks
Preheat Phase (2 minutes)
- Turn your oven on to 375°F (190°C)
- Pro tip: Most ovens need 15-20 minutes to fully preheat
- Place the oven rack in the middle position
- Ensures even heat distribution
- Wait for the oven’s preheat signal before baking
- Starting in a cold oven leads to uneven cooking
Prepare Your Baking Dish (3 minutes)
- Take out your 9×13 baking dish
- Coat it thoroughly with one of these options:
- Butter: Use a paper towel to spread evenly
- Cooking spray: Spray evenly, tilting dish to coat sides
- Set aside in a safe place away from the edge of the counter
- Warning: A prepped dish knocked over means starting over!
Potato Preparation (10 minutes)
- Fill a large bowl with cold water
- Wash potatoes thoroughly under cool running water
- Scrub gently to remove dirt
- Cut off any bad spots or eyes
- For each potato:
- Cut in half lengthwise
- Place cut side down for stability
- Slice into 1/4 inch thick half-moons
- Use your knife as a guide – thickness should be about 2 quarters stacked
- Place sliced potatoes in cold water to prevent browning
- When finished, drain and pat dry with paper towels
- Important: Wet potatoes = soggy casserole!
If you enjoy working with potatoes, you might also like my Beef Queso Mac and Cheese for another hearty option that pairs beautifully with beef.
Onion and Garlic Prep (7 minutes)
- Cut onion in half from top to bottom
- Peel off the skin and outer layer
- Place cut side down and slice into 1/4 inch strips
- Turn and cut across strips to dice
- For garlic:
- Separate cloves from bulb
- Place flat side of knife on clove and press to crush
- Remove peels
- Finely chop crushed cloves
- Shortcut: Pre-minced garlic works in a pinch (1.5 teaspoons = 3 cloves)
Cheese Preparation (5 minutes)
- If using block cheese:
- Remove wrapper
- Use the large holes of your grater
- Grate directly onto a plate or bowl
- Keep measuring until you have 2 cups
- If using pre-shredded cheese:
- Measure out 2 cups
- Let sit at room temperature
- Pro tip: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded
Cooking the Meat (15 minutes)
- Place large skillet on stove
- Turn heat to medium-high
- Wait 2 minutes for pan to heat up
- Test: Flick a tiny drop of water – it should sizzle and evaporate
- Add ground beef, breaking into small pieces with wooden spoon
- Watch for color change:
- Meat will start pink
- Should turn light brown
- Break up any large chunks
- When meat is about half browned (5 minutes):
- Add diced onion
- Add minced garlic
- Add 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Add 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Continue cooking until:
- No pink remains in meat
- Onions are soft and clear
- Garlic is fragrant
- Warning: Garlic burns easily, so add it with onions to prevent bitterness
- Turn off heat
- Drain fat:
- Place colander in sink
- Carefully pour meat mixture into colander
- Let drain 2 minutes
- Return to pan
For more delicious ground beef recipes, check out my Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef that uses a similar technique.
Making the Sauce (7 minutes)
- In a medium mixing bowl:
- Open and add cream of mushroom soup
- Pour in beef broth
- Add milk
- Add seasonings:
- Remaining salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Remaining pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
- Dried thyme
- Paprika
- Whisk together until:
- No lumps remain
- Color is uniform
- Consistency is smooth like gravy
- Tip: Room temperature ingredients blend more easily
Assembly Process (10 minutes)
- Create first potato layer:
- Arrange half of potato slices in baking dish
- Overlap slightly like shingles on a roof
- Cover bottom completely
- Add first meat layer:
- Spoon half of beef mixture over potatoes
- Spread evenly with back of spoon
- Add first sauce layer:
- Pour half of sauce mixture
- Spread with spatula to cover meat
- Add first cheese layer:
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese
- Distribute evenly
- Repeat all layers:
- Remaining potatoes
- Remaining meat
- Remaining sauce
- Remaining cheese
- Cover with foil:
- Tear piece larger than dish
- Crimp edges tightly
- Important: Don’t let foil touch cheese or it will stick!
Baking Instructions (45 minutes)
- Place in preheated oven:
- Use oven mitts
- Center dish on middle rack
- Close door quickly to maintain heat
- Set timer for 30 minutes
- After timer:
- Carefully remove foil (steam will escape – keep face back!)
- Return to oven
- Bake 15 more minutes until:
- Cheese is golden brown
- Edges are bubbling
- Potatoes are tender when pierced
- Testing doneness:
- Insert knife into center
- Should go through easily
- If resistance, bake 5 more minutes
- Warning: Undercooked potatoes ruin an otherwise perfect casserole
Cooling and Serving (10 minutes)
- Remove from oven:
- Use oven mitts
- Place on heat-safe surface like a cooling rack or trivet
- Let rest 10 minutes:
- Sauce will thicken
- Temperature will be safe for eating
- Layers will set for easier serving
- Patience pays off: Cutting too soon = sloppy servings
- Serving:
- Use large spoon or spatula
- Cut into 6-8 portions
- Lift carefully onto plates
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired
Troubleshooting Your Casserole
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Potatoes aren’t tender | – Cover and cook longer in 10-minute increments<br>- Check thickness – too thick will need more time<br>- Test multiple spots for doneness |
| Too much liquid | – Let rest longer before serving<br>- Make sure meat was well-drained<br>- Check if potatoes were dried properly |
| Cheese too brown | – Cover with foil if browning too quickly<br>- Check oven temperature accuracy<br>- Position rack lower in oven |
| Sauce is lumpy | – Whisk sauce ingredients more thoroughly<br>- Let soup come to room temperature first<br>- Use warm milk instead of cold |
| Casserole sticks to dish | – Make sure to grease dish thoroughly before starting<br>- Let cool slightly before attempting to serve |
Exciting Variations On This Classic Recipe
1. Mexican Fiesta
- Add 2 tablespoons taco seasoning to beef
- Use pepper jack cheese
- Top with diced tomatoes and cilantro
- Serve with sour cream and sliced avocado
For more Mexican-inspired dishes, my Best Ground Beef Enchiladas Recipe uses similar seasonings and would make a great companion dish.
2. Italian Trattoria
- Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to beef
- Use mozzarella cheese
- Add a layer of marinara sauce
- Top with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan
3. Loaded Potato Supreme
- Top with 1/2 cup crumbled bacon bits
- Add 1/4 cup sour cream when serving
- Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons fresh chives
- Add 1/4 cup green onions
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator Storage:
- Cool completely before storing
- Cover tightly with foil or lid
- Keeps for up to 3 days
- Tip: Divide into individual portions for quick lunches
Freezer Storage:
- Wrap well in foil and plastic wrap
- Label with date and contents
- Freeze up to 2 months
- Thaw in refrigerator overnight
- Warning: Dairy can separate when frozen, but will still taste good
Reheating Methods:
- From refrigerator:
- Cover with foil
- Heat at 350°F for 20-25 minutes
- Remove foil last 5 minutes to recrisp cheese
- Individual portions:
- Microwave 2-3 minutes on medium power
- Stir halfway through if possible
- Check temperature in center
- Tip: Add a sprinkle of fresh cheese on top when reheating
Safety Notes For Your Delicious Casserole
Ground Beef Safety:
- Must reach 160°F (71°C) internal temperature
- Use meat thermometer to check
- Color alone isn’t reliable for doneness
- Never leave raw meat out over 2 hours
- Critical: Wash hands after handling raw meat
Food Storage Safety:
- Don’t leave casserole at room temperature over 2 hours
- Cool within 1 hour if possible
- Divide large portions for faster cooling
- Use shallow containers for refrigeration
- Warning: The danger zone for bacteria growth is 40°F-140°F
Kitchen Safety:
- Use clean utensils when serving
- Keep raw meat separate from other ingredients
- Clean all surfaces thoroughly after prep
- Use oven mitts when handling hot dishes
- Let hot dishes cool on heat-safe surfaces
Pro Tips For Casserole Success
- Perfect potatoes: Slice uniformly for even cooking – use mandoline if available
- Cheese secret: Let cheese come to room temperature for better melting
- Prevent sogginess: Pat potatoes dry thoroughly before layering
- Flavor boost: Season each layer lightly for best taste distribution
- Kitchen sanity: Clean as you go to keep workspace organized
- Prep power: Chop all ingredients before starting to cook
- Time management: Keep a kitchen timer nearby
- Quick cleanup: Line counters with parchment for easy gathering of scraps
- Serving suggestion: Pair with a simple side salad for a complete meal
- Leftovers hack: Transforms into amazing breakfast with a fried egg on top!
