The Ultimate Beef And Potato Casserole for Family Dinners
This Beef And Potato Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines tender beef and soft potatoes in a rich gravy. Perfect for chilly evenings, it’s a complete meal that minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor.
- Author: yassine
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- 1 pound lean ground beef (85-90% lean)
- 4–5 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 4–5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Shredded cheddar cheese or a blend of melting cheeses (optional topping)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Peel and thinly slice your potatoes (about 1/4 inch thick). You can place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Finely dice your onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Once the beef is fully browned, drain off any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the browned beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- If you cooked the beef mixture in a skillet, transfer half of it to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange half of your sliced potatoes in a single layer over the beef mixture. Season the potatoes lightly with salt and pepper.
- Spoon the remaining beef mixture over the potatoes, spreading it out.
- Top with the remaining sliced potatoes, arranging them neatly. Season this final potato layer with a pinch more salt and pepper.
- If you're using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top potato layer now.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: For uniform cooking, aim for consistent thickness when slicing your potatoes. You can par-boil your sliced potatoes for 5-7 minutes before assembling the casserole if you're in a hurry. This casserole is also make-ahead friendly; assemble it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.