There are few dishes as satisfying and comforting as a classic Ground Beef Potato Casserole. This recipe layers savory, seasoned ground beef with tender potatoes and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, all baked together until bubbly and golden brown. It’s the kind of one-pan wonder that solves the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma with resounding success. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this hearty meal is a guaranteed family favorite that brings everyone to the table. Simple ingredients come together to create a truly unforgettable dinner that feels like a warm hug in a dish.
We’re taking simple pantry staples like ground beef, potatoes, and cheese and turning them into a masterpiece. This isn’t just another casserole; it’s a go-to recipe you’ll make again and again. Let’s dive into creating this delicious comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Ground Beef Potato Casserole
Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory beef, creamy sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese is simply irresistible.
Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Brown the beef, layer the ingredients, and let the oven do the work!
Perfect for Families: It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that both kids and adults will devour. Plus, it makes for fantastic leftovers.
Budget-Friendly: This casserole uses common, affordable ingredients without sacrificing any flavor. For another hearty and affordable option, you might love this delicious cabbage roll soup recipe.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This hamburger potato casserole comes together with a handful of simple, yet powerful ingredients.
Ground Beef: We recommend using 80/20 or 85/15 ground chuck for the best flavor and texture.
Potatoes: Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best. They hold their shape well but become wonderfully tender when baked.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is our top pick for its bold flavor, but a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack is also delicious.
Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build the foundational flavor of the beef mixture.
Creamy Sauce: A simple combination of milk, flour, and butter creates a rich béchamel that binds the casserole together. No canned soups needed!
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, and a touch of paprika are all you need to make the flavors pop.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect layered potato and ground beef casserole.
Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel your potatoes and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Shred the cheddar cheese.
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Make the Cream Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute to create a roux. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese until melted. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in a single layer on the bottom. Top with the ground beef mixture, spreading it evenly. Arrange the remaining potatoes over the beef. Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the top layer of potatoes.
Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top, and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Layered and ready for the oven - the magic is about to happen!
Expert Tips for the Best Casserole
Slice Potatoes Evenly: Use a mandoline slicer for uniform potato slices. This ensures they all cook through at the same rate.
Don’t Skip Draining the Beef: Draining the excess fat from the ground beef prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.
Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Shredding a block of cheese will result in a smoother, meltier topping.
Let It Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking helps it set, making it much easier to slice and serve. For a different but equally comforting dish, try this creamy beef pasta recipe.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this ground beef potato casserole is how versatile it is. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
Add Veggies: Stir in a cup of frozen corn, peas, or green beans with the ground beef mixture for an extra serving of vegetables.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a little kick.
Change the Meat: This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey or ground chicken as well. If you have ground turkey on hand, this ground turkey and sweet potato bake is another must-try.
Crunchy Topping: For added texture, sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Simple, wholesome ingredients are the key to this amazing casserole.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This cheesy ground beef casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, steamed green beans, or roasted broccoli are all excellent choices. For a truly comforting meal, serve it alongside some warm 30-minute dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Proper storage is key to enjoying this casserole for days to come.
Refrigerate: Store leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze the baked casserole for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then cover it tightly with both plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
Reheat: Thaw a frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven, covered, until heated through.
Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time since it will be cold.
The casserole is done when the potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. You can test a potato in the center with a knife or skewer to ensure it’s cooked through.
Starchy potatoes like Russets or all-purpose potatoes like Yukon Golds are the best choices. They bake up soft and tender and absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
Yes, this casserole freezes well. Bake as directed and allow it to cool completely. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
This recipe is very versatile! You can easily substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative for a vegetarian version.
Cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe
FL Recipes
Ground Beef Potato Casserole (The Ultimate Comfort Meal)
This Ground Beef Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy, homemade cheese sauce are baked until bubbly and golden. A perfect, easy-to-make dinner for any night of the week.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Prepare all vegetables as directed.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the beef is browned. Drain the excess grease. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with the ground beef mixture, then layer the remaining potatoes on top. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the casserole.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups of cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps it set properly.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 24gFat: 28gFiber: 3g
Notes
For the best results, use freshly shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy. Ensure your potato slices are uniform in thickness for even cooking. This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Did you make this Ground Beef Potato Casserole? We hope you loved it! This is one of our favorite hearty winter recipes that never disappoints. Let us know what you think in the comments below, and don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest! Your shares help us grow and bring more delicious recipes to your kitchen.
Nothing says comfort food like this cheesy Ground Beef Potato Casserole!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
