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A close-up of a bubbling ground beef casserole with tender potatoes.

Classic Comfort Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

This classic comfort casserole combines seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and a creamy soup mixture, all topped with melted cheese, for a satisfying and easy-to-make family dinner.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking Dish (9x13 inch)
  • Large Skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Aluminum Foil

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean)
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lbs Russet potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon; drain excess fat.
  • Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened for about 5 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, then remove from heat and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.

Assembly and Baking

  • Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Spread the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the potato layer and pour half of the creamy soup mixture over the beef.
  • Top with the remaining sliced potatoes, then pour the rest of the creamy soup mixture over them.
  • Sprinkle both shredded cheeses evenly over the entire casserole, then cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake the covered casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are mostly tender.
  • Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. If you prefer a crispier topping, you can sprinkle some breadcrumbs on top of the cheese before the final baking stage. This casserole is also great for meal prepping; you can assemble it ahead of time and bake it when ready to serve.