Description
This Meat and Potato Casserole is a hearty, creamy, and cheesy dish featuring tender potatoes, seasoned ground beef, and a rich sauce topped with melty cheddar cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- 6 medium potatoes (about 2 lbs / 900 g), peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Place a layer of sliced potatoes in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spread half of the meat mixture on top, followed by a sprinkle of cheese and a drizzle of the cream sauce. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Slice potatoes thinly (about 1/8 inch) for even cooking.
- Drain meat well to prevent excess grease.
- Mix cheese varieties like cheddar and mozzarella for extra creaminess.
- Assemble casserole ahead of time and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat covered until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion