Name: Cheesy Meat Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped.; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.; 1/2 cup milk.; Fresh parsley, chopped if desired.; 1 pound ground beef.; 1 teaspoon bouillon powder.; 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices.; 1 onion, finely diced.; 2 tablespoons butter or oil for cooking.; 1 teaspoon paprika.; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.; 1 cup beef broth.; 1 teaspoon salt.; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped.; 1 teaspoon dried oregano.

Close-up of a creamy ground beef and potato bake with melted cheese, garnished with thyme in a white dish. | cuisinegenial.com

I've whipped up a no-fuss beef and potato bake that's total comfort on a plate! This hearty dish combines perfectly seasoned ground meat, soft spuds, and gobs of cheese swimming in the tastiest gravy ever. After one bite of this simple meat and potato bake, you'll want it in your regular dinner lineup.

What Makes This So Popular

This homestyle beef and potato bake saves the day when you're swamped. My quick casserole uses basic stuff you've probably got in your kitchen already. And guess what's awesome about this meaty potato dish? You can get it ready beforehand and just stick it in the oven when you need it!

What You'll Need

Cheese: Plenty for that bubbly golden crust!
Gravy Stuff: Makes everything deliciously saucy.
Seasonings: Brings all the flavors in this potato meat dish to life.
Ground Beef: The main player in our hearty potato bake.
Potatoes: Russets give the best results in this simple meat dish.

Let's Get Cooking

Oven Time: Wrap your homestyle beef and potato dish in foil and bake until the spuds turn soft. Then comes the fun part - watching that cheese melt into gooey goodness!
Build Those Layers: Here's the exciting bit of our simple meat and potato creation! Put down half your spuds, add your seasoned beef, then do it again. Every layer adds more flavor.
Brown That Beef: This is where our home-cooked beef and potato dish gets its punch! Cook the meat with onions and garlic till nicely browned. My secret trick? Toss in those seasonings while the meat's still cooking.
Start With The Spuds: For the tastiest quick beef and potato dish, cut those potatoes thin so they cook evenly. Just grab a sharp knife and you're good to go.

Custom Touches

Want to change up your simple beef and potato bake? Try throwing in some peas or carrots. My kids go crazy when I add corn to this hearty dish. I sometimes jazz up my meaty potato creation with different cheese blends or a splash of hot sauce.

Get Ahead

Know what makes this quick beef and potato dish even handier? You can fix it beforehand! Get your home-cooked meal ready up to two days early, or freeze it for another time. This tasty creation warms up perfectly - just what you need on crazy-busy evenings.

Perfect Pairings

My simple beef and potato bake goes down a treat with a fresh salad alongside. This filling dish stands great on its own, but we love mopping up that savory gravy with some warm bread. I promise you, everyone at your table will be asking for more!

A fork lifts a portion of cheesy, loaded ground beef and potato casserole, garnished with parsley. | cuisinegenial.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the point of layering the ingredients?: Layers guarantee even cooking, so every forkful gets a mix of potatoes and meat for the tastiest experience.
→ Could I make this in advance?: Absolutely! Put it together, cover it, and refrigerate up to a day. Just remember to bake it longer if it's cold.
→ Why does resting the casserole after baking matter?: When left to sit for 10-15 minutes, the sauce thickens, flavors deepen, and it's cool enough to enjoy without burning yourself!
→ Could I swap ground turkey for the beef?: Sure, turkey works well! Just add extra spices, since it's leaner and has a mild flavor compared to beef.
→ Why not cook the meat all the way through before baking?: Because it keeps cooking while baking. Fully cooking beforehand can dry it out.

Cheesy Meat Potatoes

Seasoned beef and sliced potatoes, layered and topped with loads of cheese. A hearty and satisfying family favorite meal.

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

45 Minutes

Total Time

60 Minutes

By: Ferdaous

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon ground black pepper.

02 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped.

03 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

04 1/2 cup milk.

05 Fresh parsley, chopped if desired.

06 1 pound ground beef.

07 1 teaspoon bouillon powder.

08 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices.

09 1 onion, finely diced.

10 2 tablespoons butter or oil for cooking.

11 1 teaspoon paprika.

12 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour.

13 1 cup beef broth.

14 1 teaspoon salt.

15 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped.

16 1 teaspoon dried oregano.

Instructions

Step 01

Set oven to 375°F to warm up.

Step 02

Cut peeled potatoes thinly, try for even slices.

Step 03

In a large pan, heat butter, then soften onion, thyme, and garlic.

Step 04

Add beef, stir often, and cook until no pink is visible.

Step 05

Mix in bouillon, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to flavor the meat.

Step 06

Pour out the excess grease, then stir in flour for a minute.

Step 07

Gradually mix in milk and broth until the mixture thickens.

Step 08

Lightly grease a baking pan, then layer a portion of potatoes and a portion of meat.

Step 09

Repeat the process with remaining potato slices and beef mixture.

Step 10

Use foil to cover, bake for 45 minutes to soften potatoes.

Step 11

Remove foil, sprinkle cheese over top, bake another 10-15 minutes till bubbly.

Step 12

Wait 10-15 minutes before digging in so it settles.

Notes

A quick broil crisps the topping.

Add the cheese near the end for best results.

Don't overcook the beef before it bakes.

Resting lets the sauce thicken.

Prep ahead and pop in the oven later.

Perfect dish for sharing with family.

Freezes nicely for future meals.

Tools You'll Need

Baking pan.

Aluminum foil.

Skillet for cooking meat and onions.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Contains dairy from milk and cheese.
Includes wheat due to flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 503
Total Fat: 26 g
Total Carbohydrate: 43 g
Protein: 24 g

Cheesy Meat Potato Bake