Description
This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Tender russet potatoes are combined with flavorful ground beef, sautéed onions, garlic, and mixed vegetables, all enveloped in a creamy mushroom soup sauce and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden, this casserole offers a deliciously satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and kid-friendly with options to spice it up.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Meat
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1/3″ cubes)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Seasonings & Dairy
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk (2% recommended)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the oven rack in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
- Prepare potatoes: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and add the peeled and diced russet potatoes, spreading them out evenly as the base layer.
- Cook beef and onions: In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onions. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, breaking the meat apart until browned and onions are softened. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the dish lighter.
- Add garlic and veggies: Stir in minced garlic and frozen mixed vegetables into the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, stirring frequently to combine flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer this mixture over the potatoes in the casserole dish.
- Mix sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly until smooth.
- Combine and layer: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the beef and potatoes in the casserole dish. Use a spoon or spatula to stir slightly and even out the mixture into a uniform layer.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the potatoes to soften and flavors to meld.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes. Bake until the cheese has melted and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow it to set. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving for optimal flavor.
Notes
- Cut potatoes into approximately 1/3″ cubes to ensure even and timely cooking. Larger pieces (over 1/2″) require longer baking time.
- This casserole is kid-friendly but can be spiced up by substituting salt and pepper with Tony’s seasoning or seasoning salt.
- For an extra kick, serve with hot sauce on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg