Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole: 7 Easy Comfort Wins

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug. It brings together juicy seasoned beef, tender potatoes, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. You can make it quickly with pantry staples.

You’ll want this dish on your meal plan when you crave something hearty, comforting, and satisfying without a lot of fuss.

WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE

• It uses simple, affordable ingredients you likely already have.
• It’s filling and satisfying for a crowd or a family.
• It comes together quickly with minimal hands-on time (many versions take 10 minutes prep).
• You can adapt it (more veggies, lighter meats, different cheeses).
• It stores well and makes good leftovers.

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HOW TO MAKE CHEESY GROUND BEEF & POTATO CASSEROLE

This section explains how the process will go: layer, bake, and melt cheese. Then later, we break into Ingredients and Steps.

You’ll:

1. Brown and season the ground beef.
2. Prepare potatoes (slice or use frozen cubes).
3. Mix beef, sauce, and cheese.
4. Layer or combine with potatoes in a baking dish.
5. Bake until potatoes are soft and cheese is melted.
6. Let rest, then serve.

INGREDIENTS

Here is a good base ingredient list. You can adjust according to your taste or what you have on hand.

• 1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (or use frozen cubed potatoes)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
• ½ cup milk
• 1½ to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: paprika, Italian seasoning, fresh herbs
• Butter or oil for greasing and sautéing

DIRECTIONS STEP BY STEP

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

• Preheat your oven to 350∘F (175∘C).
• Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly using butter or a nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Beef and Sauce Mixture

• In a large skillet, heat a little oil (or butter) over medium heat.
• Sauté the onion and garlic until they are soft and fragrant, which should take about 3–5 minutes.
• Add the ground beef to the skillet.
• Cook the ground beef, using a spoon or spatula to break it up into small, uniform pieces, until it is completely browned.
• Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
• Stir in the cream soup (such as cream of mushroom or cream of chicken) and the milk.
• Mix until the sauce is smooth and there are no lumps.
• Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Fold in about half of the shredded cheese, stirring just until it is incorporated into the beef mixture.

3. Assemble the Casserole

• Layer half of your potato slices (or cubes) evenly across the bottom of the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish.
• Pour half of the beef and sauce mixture over the layer of potatoes, spreading it to cover the entire surface.
• Layer the remaining potato slices (or cubes) on top of the beef mixture.
• Pour the remaining beef and sauce mixture over the second layer of potatoes, making sure the top is coated as evenly as possible.

4. Bake and Finish

• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the foil.
• Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
• Bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the top has become lightly browned.
• Remove the casserole from the oven.
• Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to set.

NUTRITION AND HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS NOTE BY NOTE

• Ground beef brings protein and iron, but also saturated fat leaner ground beef reduces fat.
• Potatoes offer carbohydrates, fiber, potassium.
• Cream soup and milk add fat, sodium, and calories.
• Cheese adds protein, calcium, but also saturated fat and sodium.
• To lighten the dish: use low‐fat milk, reduced sodium soup, lean beef, and a moderate amount of cheese.
• You may include vegetables to boost fiber and micronutrients (e.g. bell peppers, green beans).
• Portion control matters.

HOW TO SERVE CHEESY GROUND BEEF & POTATO CASSEROLE

• Serve hot, straight from the oven.
• Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.
• A side of steamed broccoli or green beans works well.
• Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for color.
• Offer sour cream or a dollop of plain yogurt on the side.

HOW TO STORE

• Let cool fully.
• Transfer to airtight containers.
• Refrigerate: 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat in oven or microwave until warmed through.
• Freeze: wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.

TIPS TO MAKE IT BETTER

Tips and Notes: Your Kitchen Companion

• Slice your potatoes uniformly so they cook evenly.
• Use a mandoline or sharp knife.
• Drain fat from beef to avoid soggy texture.
• Use full melting cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella) not dry ones.
• Let the casserole rest before cutting moisture redistributes.

Details

• If potatoes seem undercooked near the end, cover again or increase bake time.
• For crisp top, place under broiler briefly, watching carefully.
• If mix seems too thick, add a splash of milk.

Variation (if any)

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
• Use cream of chicken or celery soup instead of mushroom.
• Add vegetables (zucchini, mushrooms, spinach).
• Use a no‐soup version with tomato sauce or a homemade white sauce.

Notes

• This is a flexible recipe.
• The oven and potato thickness affect bake time.

FAQS

CONCLUSION

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a warm, easy, and flexible dish. It blends comforting flavors with simple ingredients. You can adapt it to your taste and still get a satisfying meal with minimal fuss. Try it soon and enjoy every bite.