Description
Beef and Potatoes Casserole is a cozy, family-friendly favorite. This 3-step, creamy, cheesy bake layers tender potatoes with savory ground beef and melty cheddar, finished with a rich cream sauce. Simple to assemble, gluten-free by design, and perfect for weeknights or meal prep. Hearty, satisfying comfort food that feeds a crowd with warm, bubbling cheese on top and inviting aroma in every bite. Use as a dependable weeknight dinner or bring-to-potluck dish that warms the home and leaves leftovers that reheat beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
- Add ground beef, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
- In a saucepan, warm heavy cream, broth, and cream cheese over low heat until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared dish, followed by half the beef mixture, and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layers.
- Pour the cream sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with more cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Can be assembled ahead. Refrigerate before baking and increase bake time by 10–15 minutes.
- Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days; reheat gently to avoid separation.
- To freeze, assemble without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw before baking.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese by half.
- Want extra crisp edges? Uncover during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 533
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Beef and Potatoes Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Cheesy Potato Bake, Creamy Beef Potato Bake, Gluten Free Dinner, Easy Casserole, Family Dinner, Comfort Food