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Ground Beef and Potato Casserole Recipe

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4.1 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

This hearty Ground Beef and Potato Casserole combines thinly sliced potatoes layered with seasoned ground beef and a creamy cheese sauce, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting family meal, this dish offers a delicious blend of savory flavors with a cheesy, luscious finish.

Ingredients

Vegetables

  • 3 medium white potatoes, pared and sliced very thin
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon celery leaves, fresh or dried (optional)

Meat

  • 1 lb lean ground beef

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (spicy, optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 1 pinch paprika

Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup milk (add a little more if needed)
  • 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • Additional grated cheddar cheese for topping

Other

  • 2 tablespoons flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  3. Brown Ground Beef: Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat until browned.
  4. Drain Beef: Drain any excess grease from the ground beef if necessary to reduce fat content.
  5. Sauté Vegetables and Season: In the same skillet, add chopped onions and celery to the browned beef. Cook until vegetables are soft, then stir in minced garlic, celery leaves, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to season well. Remove this mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  6. Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter or use 1 tablespoon of leftover beef grease. Stir in flour and cook for one minute over medium-high heat to form a roux.
  7. Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Gradually add milk while stirring until the mixture becomes bubbly and thickened, creating a creamy base for the cheese sauce.
  8. Add Cheese and Spices to Sauce: Stir in grated cheddar cheese, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and optional chili powder until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  9. Assemble First Layer: Spoon about 1/4 cup of the ground beef and vegetable mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  10. Add Potato Layer: Place a layer of thinly sliced potatoes over the beef mixture.
  11. Alternate Layers: Continue layering alternately with ground beef mixture and potatoes until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of potatoes on top.
  12. Pour Cheese Sauce: Pour the prepared cheese sauce evenly over the layered mixture in the baking dish.
  13. Top and Season: Sprinkle a pinch of paprika and additional grated cheddar cheese over the top layer for flavor and a golden crust.
  14. Bake the Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender, and the casserole is bubbly and cooked through.

Notes

  • Use a mandoline slicer for uniformly thin potato slices to ensure even cooking.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a lighter version.
  • Adding a little extra milk can help adjust the sauce consistency if it thickens too much.
  • Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set before serving.
  • Spice levels can be adjusted by varying the amount of red pepper flakes and chili powder.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/ground-beef-and-potato-casserole-recipe/