A comforting and hearty casserole featuring ground beef, potatoes, and a creamy sauce, perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of celery, or cheddar)
- 1/2 cup milk (or beef broth for richer flavour)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of your choice)
- Optional: 1/2 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
- Optional: 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic (if using) over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk (or broth), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined. If using, stir in the optional frozen peas or mixed vegetables.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer half of the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish.
- Pour the ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.
- Layer the remaining sliced potatoes on top of the beef.
- Pour and Top: Pour any remaining sauce over the top layer of potatoes, ensuring they are well coated.
- Cheese and Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the potatoes. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed potato chips over the cheese for a crispy topping.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve: Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use beef broth instead of milk.
- You can use different types of potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes.
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers to the ground beef mixture.
- For a spicy kick add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- For a crispy top, broil the casserole for the last 1-2 minutes of baking.
- Add a layer of sour cream between the meat and top layer of potatoes.