Description
This Cheesy Potato Beef Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole layered with seasoned ground beef, tender sliced potatoes, creamy mushroom and chicken soups, and melty cheddar cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this dish combines savory flavors with a golden cheesy crust baked to perfection in the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced onion (about ½ a large onion)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup fried onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick pan spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Season it well with salt and pepper to develop flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onions, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, then drain off any excess fat from the mixture.
- Prepare Potatoes: Peel and slice the russet potatoes thinly. Soak them in cold water to remove excess starch, then pat the slices dry thoroughly before assembling.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine evaporated milk with the cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Casserole: In the sprayed baking dish, layer the potato slices, followed by the beef and vegetable mixture, then spoon the soup mixture over, and sprinkle with some shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 75-80 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Broil for Golden Topping: Remove the foil and turn the oven to broil. Broil the casserole briefly for 2-4 minutes to achieve a bubbly golden cheese crust. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to set and make serving easier. Garnish with fried onions just before serving for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Soaking the sliced potatoes removes starch and prevents them from sticking together while baking.
- Using two types of cream soups adds depth of flavor and creaminess in the sauce layer.
- Broiling at the end gives the casserole an irresistible crispy and golden cheese topping.
- Letting the dish rest allows the layers to settle and improves slicing.
- Add extra veggies like mushrooms or carrots if desired for more nutrition.
