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A delicious scoop of cheesy ground beef and potato casserole being lifted from a skillet, with gooey melted cheese.

Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

This hearty and comforting Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole features seasoned ground beef layered with tender potatoes and smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, then baked to golden perfection. It's a satisfying family-friendly meal perfect for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Potatoes
  • 2.5 lbs russet potatoes peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/8 inch thick)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Ground Beef Layer
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk warm
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Garnish (Optional)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large Pot
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Potatoes
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, toss the thinly sliced potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated. Set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Beef Mixture
  1. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
Make the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the warm milk until smooth and lump-free. Continue to whisk and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and all of the Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Spread half of the seasoned potato slices evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the entire ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Pour half of the cheese sauce evenly over the beef layer.
Layer and Bake
  1. Arrange the remaining potato slices over the cheese sauce. Pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top layer of potatoes, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top.
Bake the Casserole
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the casserole is bubbly and golden brown on top. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
Rest and Serve
  1. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can par-boil the potato slices for 5 minutes before tossing them with olive oil and seasoning, which can help ensure they are extra tender after baking. This casserole reheats well in the oven or microwave.