Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole | Easy Dinner Recipe

Introduction

Few dishes deliver the classic comfort and universal appeal of a Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole. This easy dinner recipe ticks all the boxes: hearty, budget-friendly, and simple to prepare, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights or when you want something the whole family will love. The combination of savory beef, creamy potatoes, and a cheesy, golden topping transforms everyday ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal.

Why You’ll Love Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole

What sets this casserole apart is its balance of rich flavor and wholesome ingredients. Layers of seasoned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and melty cheese create a dish that’s both satisfying and delicious. Plus, it’s easy to customize—add more veggies, swap cheese varieties, or use different spices to suit your tastes.

Mastering Layers for Perfect Texture

The secret to a truly perfect casserole is in the layering. Thin slices of potato ensure even cooking and tender texture, while the spiced ground beef adds depth and heartiness. Cheese binds everything together and delivers that crave-worthy, bubbly crust. For best results, make sure to slice the potatoes as evenly as possible, and press down gently on the layers before baking.

Putting Together Your Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole

Begin by browning the ground beef with onions and garlic for a flavor-packed base. Lay half the potatoes in your baking dish, followed by the beef mixture, then another layer of potatoes. Pour over a simple cream sauce or even canned soup for convenience, then top generously with cheese. Bake until the potatoes are tender and the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Serving Suggestions for a Hearty Dinner

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can easily round out your table with a green salad or steamed veggies. For an extra burst of freshness, top with chopped parsley or chives just before serving. Leftovers also reheat beautifully, making this recipe a smart choice for lunches or another quick dinner.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

One pan yields about 6 generous servings. Each portion typically contains around 350-400 calories, depending on cheese and sauce choices. It’s a balanced meal featuring protein, carbs, and dairy—a comforting dinner you can feel good about serving.

Flavorful, Simple, and Crowd-Friendly Casserole (Recap)

With its melty cheese, tender potatoes, and hearty beef, this casserole offers a fulfilling and easy dinner solution. It’s a surefire winner for family gatherings and makes excellent leftovers, supporting both taste and convenience.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté until softened (about 2-3 minutes). Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the condensed soup and milk until smooth.
4. Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly in the baking dish. Spoon the ground beef mixture on top, spreading it as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese.
5. Layer the remaining potato slices on top. Pour the soup and milk mixture evenly over the casserole.
6. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, top with the rest of the cheese, and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Ground Beef and Potatoes Casserole is a weeknight lifesaver and is perfect for meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your dinners and instantly generate a smart shopping list with exact quantities for all your meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Effortlessly combines ingredient amounts across every scheduled recipe
• Organizes grocery lists by store section for maximum efficiency
• Prevents buying duplicates or missing ingredients
• Makes meal prepping smoother and stress-free

Pro tip: When planning your week, schedule your meals to see ingredient overlaps—perfect for using up items like potatoes or cheese in multiple recipes and reducing waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes