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Beef Potato Casserole

Featured in Delicious Main Dish Recipes for Every Occasion.

Want something warm and satisfying? This dish balances perfectly cooked potato slices and flavorful ground beef, finished with a cheesy topping. It’s easy and crowd-pleasing.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:55:36 GMT
A freshly baked casserole with sliced potatoes and ground beef topped with melted cheese garnished with thyme leaves in a white pan. Pin it
A freshly baked casserole with sliced potatoes and ground beef topped with melted cheese garnished with thyme leaves in a white pan. | chefmelt.com

My no-fuss beef and spud bake is total dinner table magic! This hearty dish combines zesty ground meat, soft potatoes, and gooey cheese all swimming in the tastiest gravy ever. Once you whip up this simple meat and potato dish, it'll quickly become your family's most requested meal.

Why Everyone Loves This

This from-scratch ground beef bake saves the day when things get hectic. My quick potato and meat casserole uses basic stuff you've probably got in your kitchen already. The coolest thing about this beefy potato dish? You can get it ready beforehand and just toss it in the oven when dinner time rolls around!

What You'll Need

  • Potatoes: Go for Russets in this simple meat and spud dish.
  • Ground Beef: The main player in our homey potato bake.
  • Seasonings: Gives this beefy potato mix its wow factor.
  • Gravy Stuff: Makes that smooth, rich sauce.
  • Cheese: Pile it on for that beautiful golden crust!

Let's Get Cooking

Brown That Beef
This is where our homecooked potato and meat dish gets its punch! Cook your beef with onions and garlic till nicely browned. The trick to my beefy potato bake? Toss in those spices while the meat's still cooking.
Start With The Spuds
For the best quick meat and potato dish, cut those spuds nice and thin so they cook evenly. A good sharp knife does the job perfectly.
Oven Time
Wrap your hearty meat and spud creation with foil and let it cook till those potatoes feel tender. Then comes the fun bit - watching that cheese get all melty on top!
Build Those Layers
Now for the exciting part of our simple beef bake! Put down half your potatoes, spread seasoned meat on top, then do it again. Every layer makes it taste even better.

Make It Your Own

Want to jazz up your quick beef and potato dish? Try throwing in some peas or carrots. My kids go crazy when I add corn to this homecooked meat bake. Sometimes I change up my beefy potato casserole with different cheese types or a splash of hot sauce.

Plan Ahead

What makes this simple ground beef bake even more awesome? You can fix it beforehand! Get your homey meat and potato dish ready up to two days early, or stick it in the freezer for later. This beefy potato mix warms up great too - just what you need for crazy busy evenings.

Serve It Up Right

My quick meat and potato bake pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad. This hearty dish fills you up by itself, but we love using warm bread to soak up all that yummy gravy. Trust me, this beefy potato creation will have everyone at the table wanting more!

A fork lifts a portion of cheesy, loaded ground beef and potato casserole, garnished with parsley. Pin it
A fork lifts a portion of cheesy, loaded ground beef and potato casserole, garnished with parsley. | chefmelt.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the purpose of building layers in the casserole?

Layering ensures even cooking and lets each serving mix the flavors of potatoes and beef beautifully.

→ Can I assemble it the night before baking?

Of course! Just cover it and keep it in the fridge for up to a day. If starting cold, allow extra time in the oven.

→ Why should I let the dish sit before serving?

Giving it 10-15 minutes lets the flavors settle and the sauce thicken up. Plus, it won’t be too hot to enjoy!

→ Could I swap the beef for turkey?

Definitely—ground turkey works too! Just bump up the seasonings, as turkey can be less rich than beef.

→ What’s the point of undercooking the meat?

The meat keeps cooking in the oven. If it’s fully cooked beforehand, it can end up dry by the time the dish is ready.

Beef Potato Casserole

Thinly layered potatoes pair with seasoned ground beef and creamy cheese for a comforting casserole, ideal for dinner with loved ones.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Main Dish Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 6 Servings (6)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 6 average-sized potatoes, peeled and cut into thin rounds.
02 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil.
03 One onion, finely chopped.
04 2 garlic cloves, finely grated or crushed.
05 1 teaspoon of minced fresh thyme leaves.
06 500 grams of minced beef.
07 1 teaspoon of table salt.
08 1 teaspoon of onion bouillon powder.
09 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
10 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
11 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
12 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
13 250 ml of beef stock.
14 125 ml of whole milk.
15 Around 100 grams of grated Emmental or Comté cheese.
16 Freshly chopped parsley, if you like.

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven to 190°C to preheat.

Step 02

Peel the potatoes and slice them as evenly thin as possible.

Step 03

In a big frying pan, melt butter and cook onion, garlic, and thyme till soft.

Step 04

Add minced meat and cook while breaking it into bits till it’s no longer pink.

Step 05

Mix in salt, pepper, bouillon, paprika, and oregano to season the meat.

Step 06

Remove any extra grease, stir in flour, and cook for a minute.

Step 07

Gradually pour in the milk and broth, stirring till it’s creamy and thick.

Step 08

Butter a baking tray, then spread half the potato slices and half the beef mixture in layers.

Step 09

Repeat with the rest of the potatoes and meat.

Step 10

Put foil on top and bake for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes soften.

Step 11

Remove foil, sprinkle cheese over the top, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes till melted and golden.

Step 12

Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before dishing it out.

Notes

  1. Pop it under a grill at the end to crisp up the top.
  2. Cheese goes in during the last step for best results.
  3. Avoid overcooking the meat while prepping.
  4. Resting helps the sauce get thicker.
  5. You can put it together ahead of time and bake it later.
  6. Perfect choice for a big family meal.
  7. It freezes nicely if you want to save it.

Tools You'll Need

  • A wide pan for frying.
  • A roasting or baking tray.
  • Aluminum foil.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk (dairy products like milk and cheese).
  • Includes gluten (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 503
  • Total Fat: 26 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 43 g
  • Protein: 24 g