Description
Hearty ground beef casserole with potatoes delivers comfort on a plate. Layers of savory meat, creamy potatoes, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
Starch and Vegetables:
- 4 lbs (1.8 kg) russet potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, diced
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can (10 ounces / 284 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (12 ounces / 340 ml) evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef and onions with salt and pepper until meat is completely browned and onions are translucent. Thoroughly drain excess fat to prevent a greasy texture.
- Create the creamy sauce by whisking cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk, regular milk, seasonings, and onion powder until smooth and well-combined.
- Grease a 9×13″ baking dish and construct layers strategically: spread a third of sliced potatoes as the base, followed by a third of the seasoned beef mixture, then sprinkle a portion of cheddar cheese. Repeat layering process two more times, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently pour the prepared sauce over the entire casserole, making sure it seeps between layers and covers the surface evenly. Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered for approximately 1 hour, allowing potatoes to become tender and flavors to meld together.
- Remove foil, verify potato tenderness, and distribute remaining cheese across the top. Return to oven uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- After removing from oven, let casserole rest for 15 minutes, which allows the dish to set and enhances overall flavor integration before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that still delivers rich, satisfying flavor.
- Par-boil potatoes briefly before layering to reduce overall cooking time and ensure more consistent potato tenderness throughout the casserole.
- Use low-sodium cream of chicken soup and reduced-fat cheese to create a healthier dish without compromising the classic comfort food experience.
- Create a gluten-free variation by substituting regular cream of chicken soup with a gluten-free alternative and checking that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg