Description
A budget-friendly American casserole featuring seasoned ground beef layered with thinly sliced potatoes, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese. This easy-to-make dish is a comforting, hearty meal perfect for feeding a family or a crowd.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
Other Ingredients
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking once the casserole is assembled.
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor. Cook until the beef is fully browned and onions are soft, then drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking and to help with easy cleanup.
- Layer Potatoes: Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a stable base layer.
- Add Beef Mixture: Spread the browned ground beef and onion mixture evenly over the layer of potatoes, ensuring full coverage.
- Top with Remaining Potatoes: Layer the remaining thinly sliced potatoes over the beef mixture, covering it completely to help trap moisture during baking.
- Mix Soup and Milk: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth. This mixture will add creaminess and help cook the potatoes evenly.
- Pour Soup Mixture: Pour the soup and milk mixture evenly over the potato layers in the baking dish, distributing it thoroughly to saturate the ingredients.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes. This initial bake cooks the potatoes through and melds the flavors together.
- Add Cheese and Bake Again: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden crust.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes after removing from the oven to allow it to set, making it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- Cream of chicken soup can be used as a substitute if mushroom soup is unavailable or for a different flavor profile.
- Slicing potatoes very thinly ensures they cook evenly and become tender during baking.
- Add mixed vegetables such as peas, carrots, or corn to boost the nutritional content and add color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
