Meat and Potatoes Casserole
Cozy, hearty, and packed with flavor, this Meat and Potatoes Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe layers thinly sliced Russet potatoes with savory, seasoned ground beef and a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce. The dish is baked to golden, bubbly perfection, creating a satisfying balance of textures and flavors in every bite. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and simple pantry-friendly ingredients like onions, garlic, milk, and flour, this recipe is both easy and budget-friendly. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color, it’s a versatile dinner idea that pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or crusty bread. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or looking for a family-friendly dinner, this casserole delivers the classic "meat and potatoes" appeal everyone loves.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 4 medium, thinly sliced Russet potatoes
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped (optional, for garnish) parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary. Season the beef mixture with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of paprika. Stir to combine and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and smooth. Add 0.5 teaspoon of salt, then set the cheese sauce aside.
Slice the Russet potatoes into thin, evenly sized slices (about 1/8 inch thick). Layer half of the potato slices in the prepared casserole dish, slightly overlapping them.
Spread half of the cooked ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Repeat with another layer of potatoes and the remaining beef mixture.
Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the layers in the casserole dish, making sure it covers all the potatoes and beef.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
539 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.6 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.6 g | 83% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 99 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 762 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.2 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g | ||
| Protein | 26.3 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 331 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 896 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
