Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole: Ultimate Easy 5.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is more than a meal. It’s a dependable weeknight lifter for busy families and professionals who want comfort without the fuss.
I’m a chef who believes in approachable, delicious dinners that fit a hectic schedule. This one-pan casserole delivers. Layers of tender potatoes, beef, and a creamy mushroom-cheese sauce come together with minimal cleanup. It scales from weeknight to weekend, and leftovers taste just as good the next day. If you crave cozy plates without spending hours at the stove, this recipe is for you.

what make this Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole special

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is my go-to when the clock is screaming at me and the fridge begs for a rescue. It’s a cozy, one-pan solution that feels like a hug after a long day. I love how layers of potatoes, beef, and cheese come together with almost no fuss, yet deliver big flavor. This dish is comforting, budget-friendly, and surprisingly flexible, making it perfect for busy families or a weeknight solo dinner after a long day at work. It scales up for weekend gatherings, with leftovers that taste even better the next day. It’s a dish that travels well from fridge to table.

Why this recipe fits your busy life

I designed this Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole with busy days in mind. It’s a simple, comforting, family-friendly one-pan meal that minimizes cleanup. I love the familiar flavors—potatoes, beef, and cheese—coming together into a cozy casserole you can slip into your evening with minimal hands-on time, yet you’ll feel you fed your people well. The layering approach helps you stretch ingredients, cut prep time, and serve a complete dinner with ease. It’s flexible enough for weeknights and impressive enough for a casual gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

What makes it irresistible

I love how this Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole is easy to prep and budget-friendly.
It bakes into a golden, bubbly crust that makes dinner feel like a treat.

I also appreciate how forgiving it is on busy nights.
It scales up or down without losing its cozy charm; the whole family leaves satisfied.

Ingredients Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

What goes into this dish

• Ground beef: a sturdy base with savory flavor I love.
• Thinly sliced potatoes: the creamy, tender layers.
• Onion: for sweetness and depth.
• Garlic: classic aromatics.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: provides melty richness.
• Cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken): creamy binder.
• Milk: thins the sauce.
• Salt, black pepper, paprika: basic seasoning with depth.
• Olive oil: for browning.
• Fresh parsley: garnish for brightness.
• Optional substitutions: gluten-free soup, lighter cheese or milk, mixed cheeses, or Greek yogurt for tang.
• Source tips: choose russet or Yukon potatoes for texture.
• Source tips: use low-fat dairy if you prefer lighter options.
• Note: Exact quantities are listed at the bottom and are printable separately.

How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

I preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish. This helps the casserole come together in one pan, with minimal cleanup.

I brown the beef with onion and garlic until the meat is no longer pink, then drain the fat. I pat the meat dry to boost browning and flavor.

Tip: Patting the meat dry helps it brown more deeply and adds savor to every bite.

Step 2: Making the creamy sauce

I whisk cream soup, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika until smooth. This creamy sauce starts the binding for the beef casserole.

While I finish browning the meat, the sauce rests and thickens slightly, ready to mingle with the layers.

Step 3: Layering

I layer half the potatoes in the dish, then half the beef, then half the sauce and half the cheese. I repeat with the remaining ingredients to form a full double layer, turning it into a classic potato casserole.

Step 4: Baking

I cover and bake until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld. Then I uncover and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

If the dish browns too fast, I tent it with foil to keep the edges from scorching and to maintain a creamy center. It works beautifully for a quick family dinner.

Step 5: Resting and serving

I let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes to set the layers. I garnish with parsley and serve hot for best texture and color.

Tips for Success

• I slice potatoes evenly for uniform cooking; a mandoline helps.
• I use a hot skillet to get good browning on the beef for depth of flavor.
• If I like more sauce, I whisk a little extra milk into the soup mixture.
• I keep an eye on the cheese so it doesn’t burn; cover if it browns too fast.
• I let the dish rest before slicing to keep layers intact.

Equipment Needed

I keep these tools handy for quick assembly of Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole.

• Skillet or heavy-bottom pan for browning
• 9×13 baking dish
• Mixing bowls and a whisk
• Knife and cutting board
• Oven mitts and a spoon for layering
• Optional: mandoline for evenly sliced potatoes

Variations

Here are a few variations that keep the Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole exciting while fitting different diets and schedules.

• Swap turkey or chicken for beef for a lighter version
• Use mixed cheeses (Monterey Jack, mozzarella) for different melty profiles
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veg in Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole
• Exchange potatoes for thinly sliced sweet potatoes for a different flavor
• Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free soup for Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cozy Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole hot with bright sides to balance the richness. I like to add color and crunch so the meal feels special, not heavy.

• Fresh parsley or chives garnish for color
• Simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette
• Steamed broccoli or green beans on the side
• Warm crusty bread or buttered rolls

Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly Tips for Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly Tips for Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole save busy weeknights. I use these tricks to feed my family with comfort and calm.

• Assemble the casserole without baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
• To freeze, wrap tightly after assembling and freeze flat; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
• Reheating works best from cold or thawed state; you may need to add a few minutes to baking time.
• For best texture, use fresh potatoes when possible; to speed up, try pre-sliced frozen potatoes (thawed) or an Instant Pot shortcut.
• This approach is ideal for busy weeks—make one dish, feed your family, and have leftovers ready.

FAQs about Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole turns weeknight chaos into a comforting, one-pan victory. I love how simple steps, familiar flavors, and flexible options come together to feed a family without the fuss.
The creamy layers and bubbly golden top deliver comfort in every bite, while the easy prep keeps weeknights moving.

Leftovers taste even better, and the dish scales with your plans—solo dinners, busy families, or casual entertaining.
I treasure how a single pan can nourish, thaw sibling squabbles, and still feel special. With this casserole in your rotation, you’re gifting yourself calm as well as flavor.

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole: Ultimate Easy 5.

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• Author: cookbycook
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole: A comforting, one-pan dinner that’s easy to prepare and family-friendly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes (about 3–4 medium)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat.
3. In a bowl, whisk together cream soup, milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Layer half the sliced potatoes in the prepared dish. Top with half the ground beef mixture, then half the sauce, and sprinkle with half the cheese.
5. Repeat the layers with remaining potatoes, beef, sauce, and cheese.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

• Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
• To lighten the dish, use low-fat milk and part-skim cheese or a lighter cheddar.
• For gluten-free needs, ensure the soup is gluten-free or substitute with a gluten-free creamy sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: ~440 kcal
• Sugar: ~6 g
• Sodium: ~1700 mg
• Fat: ~26 g
• Saturated Fat: ~8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: ~14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: ~66 g
• Fiber: ~3 g
• Protein: ~21 g
• Cholesterol: ~350 mg

Keywords: Cheesy Ground Beef and Potato Casserole, one-pan dinner, beef casserole, potato casserole, cheesy casserole, family dinner, comfort food