Get ready to dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with this Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole. This dish is a hearty, satisfying meal that brings together savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked to golden-brown perfection. It’s the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside out, making it a perfect choice for a cozy family dinner. If you’ve been searching for a go-to recipe that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious, you’ve found it.
Why This Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole is a Weeknight Winner
This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights. We’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward, using simple, accessible ingredients you likely already have. It’s a true one-dish wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor.
The beauty of this hamburger potato casserole lies in its layers of flavor and texture. The seasoned beef provides a robust base, the potatoes become wonderfully tender, and the homemade cheese sauce blankets everything in creamy, gooey goodness. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.
The Cast of Characters: Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, let’s gather the simple ingredients that make this dish so special. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors.
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes work best. They hold their shape well but become wonderfully tender.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) is ideal to avoid excess grease.
- Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the beef mixture.
- Cheese: A sharp cheddar cheese provides a bold, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness. We’ll also use some mozzarella for that irresistible cheese pull.
- For the Sauce: Butter, all-purpose flour, milk, and sour cream create a luxuriously smooth and creamy cheese sauce.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and a touch of smoked paprika are all you need.
How to Make Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a flawless layered potato and ground beef casserole. We’ll break it down so you can easily follow along.
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
First, peel and thinly slice your potatoes, about 1/8-inch thick. A mandoline slicer is great for this, but a sharp knife works too. Place the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to prevent them from browning while you prepare the other components.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Let it simmer, stirring often, until it thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream, smoked paprika, and half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is velvety smooth.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drain the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, start layering. Begin with a thin layer of the cheese sauce on the bottom. Add a layer of sliced potatoes, overlapping them slightly. Top with half of the ground beef mixture. Pour about one-third of the cheese sauce over the beef. Repeat the layers: potatoes, the remaining beef, and another third of the sauce. Finish with a final layer of potatoes and pour the rest of the cheese sauce evenly over the top.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set, making it easier to slice.
Pro Tips for Casserole Success
Want to make your Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole truly unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips:
- Don’t Slice Potatoes Too Thickly: For perfectly cooked, tender potatoes, ensure your slices are thin and uniform.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Shredding a block of cheese will result in a much smoother melt.
- Let It Rest: This is crucial! Letting the casserole sit for at least 10 minutes after baking helps it firm up for perfect slices.
Delicious Variations to Try
Feel free to customize this recipe! Try adding a layer of steamed broccoli for extra nutrients, or mix in some corn with the beef. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce. You can even swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. For a classic comfort dinner, serve it alongside some delicious fluffy honey cornbread to sop up the extra sauce. A simple green salad or a side of honey-roasted carrots can also add a nice, fresh contrast to the richness of the dish. For another comforting side, you can’t go wrong with our Gouda mashed potatoes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can assemble it completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, just bake it as directed, adding about 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
For best results, bake the casserole first and allow it to cool completely. Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
To prevent a watery casserole, ensure you drain the potatoes well and pat them dry after soaking. Also, using a leaner ground beef (like 90/10) and draining any excess fat after cooking will significantly reduce excess liquid.
This dish pairs well with simple sides like a crisp green salad, steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or fluffy cornbread to balance the richness of the casserole.
Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes are the best choices. Yukon Golds are slightly waxy and hold their shape well, while Russets are starchy and become very tender, absorbing the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
More Comfort Food Recipes You’ll Love
We hope you love this easy and delicious Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole recipe. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. If you made this dish, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole Recipe
Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole (The Ultimate Comfort Food)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place thinly sliced potatoes in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned. Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat and season with salt and pepper.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, smoked paprika, 1 cup of cheddar, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella until melted and smooth.
- Drain potatoes well. Spread a thin layer of cheese sauce in the baking dish. Layer half the potatoes, then half the beef mixture. Top with 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat layers once. Finish with a final layer of potatoes and the remaining sauce.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining cheese, and bake for 15-20 more minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure your potato slices are thin and uniform for even cooking.
Letting the casserole rest before slicing is essential to allow it to set properly.
