Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (One-Pan Dinner!)

A hearty, comforting dinner baked in one pan with layers of ground beef, tender potatoes, and melty cheese—perfect for busy nights.

🎉 Introduction

When you need a dinner that’s easy, hearty, and satisfying, this Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is your go-to winner. With just one baking dish and simple ingredients like seasoned ground beef, sliced potatoes, and gooey cheddar cheese, this recipe brings home-style comfort straight to your table. 🥔🧀🍴

Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, large families, or just need a no-fuss meal with minimal cleanup, this one-pan dinner delivers serious flavor with classic ingredients.

🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Meat & Veggies

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups russet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled and thinly sliced

🧀 Sauce & Seasoning

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)

🧀 Cheese

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with chopped onion until no longer pink.
• Add garlic and cook 1–2 more minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Layer half the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish.
2. Spread half the ground beef over the potatoes.
3. Pour half the sauce and sprinkle ¾ cup cheese.
4. Repeat with remaining potatoes, beef, sauce, and cheese.

Step 5: Bake

• Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.
• Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 75–80 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Add Veggies: Include corn, peas, or green beans
• Different Meat: Use ground turkey or sausage
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños
• Loaded Casserole: Top with cooked bacon and green onions
• Creamy Upgrade: Use cream of cheddar or cream of potato soup

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze fully cooled casserole in portions for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Microwave individual portions or bake at 350°F until heated through

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use a different cheese?
   Yes! Try Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack for a twist.
2. Do I have to pre-cook the potatoes?
   No, just slice them thin so they cook through in the oven.
3. Can I make this ahead?
   Absolutely—assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
4. Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of soup?
   You can sauté mushrooms and make a roux-based sauce if preferred.
5. Is this casserole gluten-free?
   Use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and check other ingredients.
6. Can I add sour cream?
   Yes, mix in ¼ cup for a tangier, creamier sauce.
7. Will Yukon Gold potatoes work?
   Yes—just ensure they’re sliced thin for even cooking.
8. What dish size should I use?
   A 9×13-inch baking dish is ideal for this quantity.
9. Can I use a slow cooker?
   Yes—cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
10. What sides go well with this?
    A simple green salad or steamed broccoli works perfectly.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is the definition of comfort food—savory, creamy, cheesy, and full of cozy flavors. It’s one of those no-fail dinners that makes everyone happy and keeps the dishes to a minimum. 🧀🥔❤️

Whip it up on a chilly evening or whenever you need a filling, feel-good meal with little effort. It’s a family favorite for a reason!

Adam

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (One-Pan Dinner!)

When you need a dinner that’s easy, hearty, and satisfying, this Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is your go-to winner. With just one baking dish and simple ingredients like seasoned ground beef, sliced potatoes, and gooey cheddar cheese, this recipe brings home-style comfort straight to your table. 🥔🧀🍴 Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, large families, or just need a no-fuss meal with minimal cleanup, this one-pan dinner delivers serious flavor with classic ingredients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

bake time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🥩 Meat & Veggies

• 1 lb ground beef 80/20 recommended
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups russet potatoes about 3 large, peeled and thinly sliced

🧀 Sauce & Seasoning

• 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning optional

🧀 Cheese

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese plus extra for topping

Method

 

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Beef

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with chopped onion until no longer pink.
2. Add garlic and cook 1–2 more minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce

1. In a bowl, whisk together mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Layer half the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish.
2. Spread half the ground beef over the potatoes.
3. Pour half the sauce and sprinkle ¾ cup cheese.
4. Repeat with remaining potatoes, beef, sauce, and cheese.

Step 5: Bake

1. Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes.
2. Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.
3. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with chopped onion until no longer pink.

Add garlic and cook 1–2 more minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together mushroom soup, milk, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Layer half the sliced potatoes on the bottom of the dish.

Spread half the ground beef over the potatoes.

Pour half the sauce and sprinkle ¾ cup cheese.

Repeat with remaining potatoes, beef, sauce, and cheese.

Step 5: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes.

Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is bubbly.

Let sit 10 minutes before serving.