Hearty ground beef and potato casserole layered with savory flavors and melted cheese—a comforting all-in-one dinner.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish / Casserole
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups (about 600 g) diced potatoes (peeled or unpeeled)
1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
1½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil or butter, divided
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
In a separate saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil or butter. Add diced potatoes, season lightly, and cook until they begin to soften, about 5–7 minutes.
Add beef broth, reduce heat, cover, and simmer potatoes until nearly tender, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid.
Layer half the cooked potatoes evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish, then spread the seasoned ground beef on top. Add remaining potatoes over the beef layer.
In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Dollop or spread this mixture evenly over the top layer of potatoes.
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the casserole.
Bake in preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are lightly golden.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use leftover cooked ground beef or rotisserie chicken to reduce prep time.
Add diced bell peppers, peas, or corn for extra veggies.
Substitute cheddar with pepper jack or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
To make ahead, assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat in oven or microwave.