This Hearty Meat & Potato Bake is a comforting, family-style casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, onions, and melted cheese. It’s simple to assemble, uses pantry staples, and bakes into a warm, satisfying dish perfect for weeknights or cold evenings.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a small amount of oil.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the onions soften.
Season the meat mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Stir well and remove from heat.
In a separate bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup with the milk until smooth.
Arrange half of the sliced potatoes in an even layer in the baking dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Spread half of the meat mixture over the potatoes.
Repeat with the remaining potatoes, then the remaining meat.
Pour the soup mixture evenly over the entire casserole, making sure it seeps down into the layers.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and return to the oven uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to help the layers set.
