Ground Beef Potato Casserole

Intro

This Ground Beef Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food classic that layers thinly sliced potatoes with seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. It’s simple to prepare, budget-friendly, and filling—perfect for family dinners or make-ahead meals. The best part? It comes out bubbling, golden, and irresistible straight from the oven, making it a dish everyone will love.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

1 ½ lbs (700 g) ground beef

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)

2 lbs (900 g) potatoes, thinly sliced (Yukon Gold or Russet work best)

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella, divided)

2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Salt & black pepper to taste

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp dried thyme (optional)

For the Creamy Sauce:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups milk (warm)

1 cup chicken or beef broth

½ cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)

Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Beef

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened.

Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.

Cook until browned, then drain excess fat. Set aside.

Make the Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes.

Slowly whisk in warm milk and broth until smooth and thickened.

Stir in sour cream (if using), season with salt and pepper.

Layer the Casserole

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Arrange half of the potato slices in an even layer.

Spread half of the cooked beef over the potatoes.

Pour half of the creamy sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese.

Repeat layers: potatoes → beef → sauce → cheese.

Bake

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil, bake an additional 20–25 minutes until potatoes are tender and top is golden brown and bubbly.

Serve

Let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving (this helps it set).

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips

Use a mandoline slicer for even potato slices so they cook evenly.

For extra flavor, add layers of sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.

Swap cheddar for Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a twist.

Make it ahead: assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Ground Beef Potato Casserole is rich, creamy, and satisfying—perfect for a family meal that doesn’t skimp on comfort. The layers of tender potatoes, seasoned beef, velvety sauce, and gooey cheese make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s budget-friendly, versatile, and reheats beautifully, making it great for leftovers or meal prep.