Ground Beef Casserole With Potatoes Recipe
You've probably craved a hearty, no-fuss meal that'll satisfy hungry family members without spending hours in the kitchen. Ground beef casserole with potatoes might just be your perfect solution. This classic comfort dish combines simple ingredients into a delicious one-pan wonder that transforms affordable staples into a mouthwatering meal. Want to know how to create a timeless recipe that's both budget-friendly and incredibly tasty? Keep reading to uncover the secrets of this beloved casserole.
Recipe Highlights
- A hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole requires layering thinly sliced potatoes, browned ground beef, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup in a baking dish.
- Prepare the casserole by first browning ground beef with onions at medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper for maximum flavor development.
- Bake the casserole covered at 375°F for 1 hour, then uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy top layer.
- This classic comfort food serves as a complete meal, ideal for family dinners and capable of feeding multiple people with simple, affordable ingredients.
- The dish can be easily stored in the refrigerator for several days and reheated, making it perfect for meal prep and leftovers.
History
Although ground beef casseroles might seem like a modern comfort food, their roots actually stretch back to early 20th-century American home cooking.
You'll find these hearty dishes emerged during the Great Depression, when families needed affordable, filling meals that could feed multiple mouths with limited ingredients. Casseroles became a practical solution, transforming simple proteins and pantry staples into delicious, economical dinners.
Rural and midwestern households particularly embraced these one-dish meals. You'd often see them at community potlucks, church gatherings, and family reunions.
The combination of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese represented resourcefulness and culinary creativity. Immigrant families adapted traditional recipes, incorporating local ingredients and kitchen techniques that made these casseroles uniquely American.
Recipe
Ground Beef Potato Casserole is a quintessential comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any dinner table. This hearty dish combines simple, affordable ingredients into a delicious meal that feeds a family with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
The beauty of this casserole lies in its straightforward preparation and ability to transform basic ingredients into a memorable dinner. With layers of tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese, this recipe offers a complete and filling meal that comes together quickly and easily.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 large potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and brown the ground beef with diced onions, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is fully browned and the onions are translucent.
Layer half the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish, followed by half the meat mixture and half the cheese. Repeat the layers, then spread the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, then remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.
For best results, slice potatoes uniformly thin, about 1/8 inch thick, to ensure even cooking. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to help it set and make serving easier.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by browning the ground beef in a skillet, ensuring it's fully cooked and releasing those rich, savory flavors that'll make this casserole irresistible.
Next, you'll create beautiful, uniform layers of thinly sliced potatoes, strategically placing cheese and meat between each stratum to build depth and complexity in every bite.
Finally, you'll spread the creamy mushroom soup across the top, cover with foil, and bake until the potatoes are tender and the surface turns a tempting golden brown.
Step 1. Brown Ground Beef
Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform that ground beef into a flavorful base for your casserole. Start with a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the 2 pounds of ground beef into small, uniform crumbles.
As the meat browns, use a wooden spatula to continuously stir and prevent sticking, ensuring even caramelization.
- Dice the large onion into small, consistent pieces
- Add onions when beef is about 50% browned
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance flavor
- Cook until meat is completely brown and onions are translucent
Watch for these visual cues: no pink meat remaining, slight sizzling sound, and a rich, golden-brown color.
Drain excess fat if necessary, keeping the meat moist but not greasy. Your perfectly browned ground beef is now ready to layer into the casserole.
Step 2. Layer Potatoes Evenly
After browning your ground beef to golden perfection, it's time to create the potato foundation for your hearty casserole. Start by thinly slicing potatoes to about 1/8-inch thickness, ensuring uniform cuts for even cooking.
Grease your 9×13 baking dish, then carefully layer half the potato slices across the bottom, creating a complete, overlapping coverage. Use a fork to gently adjust edges, preventing gaps that might cause uneven cooking.
Next, spread half the browned meat mixture evenly over the potato layer, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat these layers: remaining potatoes, meat, and cheese.
Pro tip: Use a spatula to press down gently, helping layers compact and ensuring maximum flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
Step 3. Add Cheese Layer
Because cheese adds a rich, melting layer of flavor to your ground beef casserole, you'll want to distribute it carefully across each layer for maximum deliciousness. Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for the best melt and flavor profile.
Sprinkle approximately 1 cup of cheese across the first potato and meat layer, ensuring even coverage from edge to edge of your baking dish. When creating the second layer, add the remaining 1 cup of cheese, which will create a golden, bubbling top that's visually appealing and incredibly tasty.
Cheddar provides a sharp, tangy element that complements the ground beef's richness, while its melting properties help bind the casserole's layers together. Press the cheese gently into the potatoes and meat to help it integrate seamlessly during baking.
Step 4. Spread Cream of Mushroom Soup
Gently spread the cream of mushroom soup across the top layer of your ground beef casserole, creating a smooth, even coating that will infuse moisture and rich flavor into every bite.
You'll want to use a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to distribute the soup carefully, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge of the casserole dish.
Focus on achieving a thin, consistent layer that won't pool in any one area. The cream of mushroom soup acts as a binding agent and adds a creamy texture to your dish.
Aim to cover the entire surface, leaving no potato or beef exposed, which helps prevent drying out during the final baking stage.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
Once the cream of mushroom soup has been evenly spread, you'll move into the final transformative stage of your ground beef casserole: baking it to golden-brown perfection.
Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil, creating a seal that'll trap moisture and help cook the potatoes evenly. Place the dish in a preheated 375°F oven and bake for 1 hour, allowing the layers to meld and potatoes to soften.
After the initial hour, remove the foil to let the top caramelize and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Watch closely during the final 15 minutes, listening for a sizzling sound and checking for visual indicators: bubbling edges, crispy cheese peaks, and a rich, amber-colored surface signaling your casserole's readiness.
Final Thoughts
Any home cook knows that ground beef casserole represents more than just a meal—it's a comfort food classic that brings families together around the dinner table.
You'll find this recipe is foolproof, adaptable to your tastes, and sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Whether you're cooking for picky eaters or a large family gathering, this casserole delivers consistent, delicious results every time.
Consider experimenting with variations like adding fresh herbs, swapping cheese types, or incorporating different vegetables to customize the dish.
Pro tip: Always let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
Your family will appreciate the hearty, satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.
