You know those nights when the clock is ticking, everyone’s hungry, and the thought of making a complicated meal feels like a mountain to climb? Yeah, I’ve been there more times than I can count. That’s why this Ground Beef Potato Casserole has become my kitchen’s MVP. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting dish that brings everyone to the table with a smile. Imagine layers of savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese, all baked into one glorious, family-friendly pan of deliciousness. It’s the definition of comfort food that’s actually doable on a Tuesday.

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The Reasons This Ground Beef Potato Casserole Will Win You Over

It’s a complete meal in one dish, meaning fewer pots and pans to wash.
It’s incredibly forgiving. Use what you have in the fridge!
It’s a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
Leftovers are just as amazing the next day.

What You’ll Need

Let’s gather our cast of characters. You probably have most of these staples on hand already!

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 ½ cups milk
4 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

How to Make This Easy Casserole

Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe

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Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Layered ground beef potatoes baked in a savory casserole This easy recipe is your ultimate comfort food dinner Ready in simple steps

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1.5 cups milk
4 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
1.5 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Stir in garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until smooth.
Arrange the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes. Pour the soup mixture over everything.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
Remove foil, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and return to the oven for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

A hearty and comforting Ground Beef Potato Casserole with layers of savory ground beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese. It’s a complete, family-friendly meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6 servings
Calories: 385 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Fat: 19 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 26 g

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. A little light greasing will prevent any sticking.
Now, let’s brown the beef. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion together until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is soft and fragrant. Drain off any excess grease—this keeps your casserole from being too oily. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk until it’s smooth and creamy. This is going to be our sauce that brings everything together.
Time to layer! Arrange the thinly sliced potatoes in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes. Then, pour the creamy soup mixture over everything, making sure it seeps down into the layers.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and pop it in the preheated oven. Let it bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are perfectly tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese over the top. Return it to the oven, uncovered, for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
Let the casserole stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This little pause lets the layers set, making it much easier to serve up neat portions.

My Go-To Kitchen Tools

You don’t need anything fancy for this recipe! A trusty large skillet, a 9×13-inch baking dish, and a simple mixing bowl are really all it takes. If you want to make slicing the potatoes a breeze, a mandoline slicer is a fantastic helper, but a sharp knife works just fine.

Tips, Tricks, and Fun Twists

This recipe is like a blank canvas! Here are a few ways to make it your own:

Meat Swap: Not a beef fan? Try using ground turkey or even ground chicken for a lighter version.
Veggie Boost: Add some extra nutrition by mixing in a cup of frozen peas, corn, or diced carrots with the beef layer.
Cheese Please: While cheddar is classic, a mix of Monterey Jack and Colby would be equally delicious. Have fun with it!
Crispy Topping: For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some French fried onions or crushed butter crackers on top with the cheese during the last few minutes of baking.
Storage: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They reheat like a dream in the microwave or oven. You can also freeze this casserole for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

A little story for you: This dish was my accidental hero at a last-minute potluck. I was short on time and ideas, so I threw it together. It was the first pan to be emptied! Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that become cherished favorites.

The Perfect Pairings

This hearty casserole is a meal all on its own, but it also plays well with others! A simple fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette helps cut through the richness. A side of roasted green beans or some warm, buttery dinner rolls are also fantastic for mopping up every last bit of the creamy sauce. For a real comfort food feast, pair it with my Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese.

Nutrition Information

This information is per serving, assuming the casserole is divided into 6 generous portions.

Calories: 385
Total Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 80mg
Sodium: 650mg
Total Carbohydrates: 28g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Protein: 26g

So there you have it! A dependable, delicious Ground Beef Potato Casserole that’s here to save your busy evenings. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug and proves that great food doesn’t have to be complicated. I hope it finds a happy home in your recipe rotation and creates many happy moments around your table.

Your Ground Beef Potato Casserole Questions, Answered

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready, just bake it as directed, though you might need to add a few extra minutes since it will be cold from the fridge.

Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of cream of mushroom soup?

You can! Sauté about 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms with the onions and ground beef. For the sauce, make a simple white sauce by melting 3 tablespoons of butter, whisking in 3 tablespoons of flour, and then slowly adding 1 ½ cups of milk until it thickens. Season it well with salt and pepper.

Why are my potatoes still hard after the baking time?

The key is slicing the potatoes very thinly (about ¼-inch thick) so they cook through evenly. If your slices were too thick, they might need more time. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated and that the dish is covered with foil for most of the baking time to trap steam and cook the potatoes.

Can I freeze this ground beef casserole?

Yes, it freezes wonderfully. After baking and cooling, portion it out, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until hot and bubbly.