Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

Casseroles are one of the most comforting, versatile, and budget-friendly meals you can make at home. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or preparing something hearty for a crowd, a good casserole brings everything together in one delicious dish. Today’s recipe, Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole, is the perfect combination of savory ground beef, tender layers of sliced potatoes, and plenty of gooey cheese baked to golden perfection.

This dish is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate. The beef provides the rich protein base, the potatoes add substance and heartiness, while the cheese ties everything together into a creamy, bubbling delight. It’s customizable, simple to prepare, and loved by adults and kids alike.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• One-pan dinner – everything bakes together beautifully.
• Budget-friendly – uses simple pantry and fridge staples.
• Customizable – add veggies, spices, or different cheeses.
• Meal-prep friendly – leftovers store and reheat well.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven – Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cook Ground Beef – In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant. Add ground beef, season with paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Prepare Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together milk and cream of mushroom soup until smooth.
4. Layer Potatoes – Arrange half of the sliced potatoes at the bottom of the baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Add Beef & Cheese – Spread half of the cooked ground beef over the potatoes, sprinkle 1 cup of cheese, then pour half of the soup mixture evenly on top.
6. Repeat Layers – Add another layer of potatoes, followed by beef, cheese, and remaining soup mixture.
7. Bake Covered – Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. Bake Uncovered – Remove foil, top with extra cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly golden brown.
9. Rest & Serve – Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.

Tips & Variations

• Add veggies like peas, corn, or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
• Swap cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for a flavor twist.
• Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes for a different spin.
• Prepare ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve.

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

A hearty layered casserole made with savory ground beef, tender potatoes, creamy sauce, and plenty of melted cheese baked to golden perfection.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 portions

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 5 medium potatoes thinly sliced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Skillet
• 9×13 baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Foil

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. In a bowl, whisk together milk and cream of mushroom soup until smooth.
4. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Spread half of the cooked beef mixture over the potatoes, sprinkle with cheese, and pour half of the soup mixture on top.
6. Repeat layers with remaining potatoes, beef, cheese, and soup mixture.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
8. Remove foil, add more cheese on top, and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
9. Let rest for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a layer of sautéed mushrooms or sprinkle with crispy fried onions before serving.