Ground Beef And Potato Casserole

As a busy mom, I love easy, hearty, delicious, and kid-approved casserole recipes. They make life less stressful on busy weeknights. This ground beef casserole with potatoes ticks all the boxes! It comes together in a jiff, and it’s so out-of-this-world that even the fussiest eater lines up for seconds. Not to mention versatile – I can serve it as a one-dish meal, a hearty side, or a breakfast casserole. And since I can make it ahead, it makes busy weeknight meal prep a breeze!

Recipe Ingredients

How to Make Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Potatoes – Peel and slice the potatoes thinly and as close to the same thickness as possible. That way, they cook evenly in the casserole. (Photo 1) Saute – In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and garlic fragrant. (Photos 2-3) Ground Beef – Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and it loses the pink color. Break it into small crumbles as it cooks—season with salt, pepper, bouillon powder, oregano, and paprika. (Photos 4-5) Thickener – Drain the grease from the skillet, then sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture. Stir well to combine, and cook for another minute to toast the flour. (Photo 6) Gravy – Gradually add the beef broth and milk to the skillet, stirring constantly. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly, forming a gravy-like consistency. (Photo 7) Assemble – Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Then, arrange half of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish, followed by half of the ground beef mixture. Repeat with the remaining potatoes and beef mixture. (Photos 9-10) Bake – Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Cheese – Uncover the dish and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles. Serve – Take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

This dish makes weeknight meal planning a breeze! Assemble the casserole ahead and refrigerate it, tightly covered with foil, for a day or two. It freezes nicely for 2-3 months because the potatoes are in a sauce. When ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven and bake it as instructed. No need to preheat the oven because you don’t want to put a cold dish in a hot oven.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Potato and ground beef casserole loves to be topped with a dollop of sour cream or crumbled bacon. Double the recipe and plan for leftovers. They last 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen casserole in the fridge overnight before reheating. Then heat it in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for 15-20 minutes. Or reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

What to Serve With Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

This robust casserole is an amazing one-dish wonder! I love it with a cucumber tomato salad or kale salad for texture and extra nutrients. Soft garlic knots or Southern-style cornbread are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.