Baked Cheesy Beef & Potato Casserole
This is the kind of dish that feels instantly familiar, even the first time you make it. A bubbling casserole straight from the oven, layers of tender potatoes, savory beef, and a blanket of melted cheese on top — it’s comfort food in its purest form. The aroma alone is enough to pull everyone into the kitchen, and once it’s on the table, it doesn’t stay there long.
This casserole is perfect for cozy family dinners, meal prep for the week, or those evenings when you want something hearty and dependable. It’s simple, filling, and has that warm, home-cooked feel that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce or beef gravy
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Butter or cooking spray (for the baking dish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of the dish. Try to keep the layers even so everything cooks at the same pace. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat.
Stir in the diced onion and garlic. Let them cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the tomato sauce (or beef gravy), paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes, just until the mixture thickens and smells rich and savory.
Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes in the baking dish. Layer the remaining potato slices on top, overlapping slightly.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the entire casserole, making sure every corner gets some cheese love.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps everything settle and makes serving much easier.
Presentation
Serve this casserole warm, straight from the dish. The golden cheese on top is already doing most of the work, but a light sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color if you have it. Pair it with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or even crusty bread to soak up every last bit of sauce.
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
🔥 Kcal: ~490 kcal per serving
🍽️ Servings: 6 servings
Conclusion
This baked cheesy beef and potato casserole is one of those reliable recipes you’ll reach for again and again. It’s hearty, comforting, and made with simple ingredients that come together beautifully in the oven. Whether you’re feeding a family or just craving something warm and satisfying, this casserole delivers every time. Try it once, and it just might earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.