Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large skillet
• Mixing bowls
• Sharp knife or mandoline
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

For the Beef Layer

• 1½ pounds lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Potato Layer

• 5 medium russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Cream Sauce

• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream

For the Cheese Layer

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley
• Green onions
• Crumbled bacon

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) .
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Ground Beef

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned.
3. Add:
4. Onion
5. Garlic
6. Salt
7. Pepper
8. Paprika
9. Italian seasoning
10. Cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
11. Drain excess grease if necessary.
12. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Potatoes

1. Wash, peel, and thinly slice the potatoes.
2. Try to keep slices approximately ⅛-inch thick for even cooking.
3. Place the potatoes in a bowl.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 4: Prepare the Cream Sauce

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:
2. Cream of mushroom soup
3. Milk
4. Sour cream
5. Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

1. Spread a thin layer of cream sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
2. Arrange half of the potato slices evenly across the bottom.
3. Top with half of the ground beef mixture.
4. Spread one-third of the cream sauce over the beef.
5. Sprinkle one cup of cheddar cheese.
6. Repeat the layers:
7. Remaining potatoes
8. Remaining beef
9. Remaining sauce
10. Finish with:
11. Remaining cheddar cheese
12. Mozzarella cheese

Step 6: Cover and Bake

1. Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil.
2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes .

Step 7: Uncover and Finish Baking

1. Remove the foil.
2. Continue baking for 15–20 minutes until:
3. Cheese is melted
4. Top is golden brown
5. Potatoes are fork-tender

Step 8: Rest Before Serving

1. Remove the casserole from the oven.
2. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
3. This helps the layers set properly and makes slicing easier.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

1. Top with fresh parsley, green onions, or bacon if desired.
2. Serve warm and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 485 · Protein: 29g · Fat: 29g · Carbohydrates: 26g · Saturated Fat: 13g · Fiber: 3g · Sugar: 3g · Sodium: 720mg