Today I’m bringing you a truly glorious dish that is the definition of comfort food. This Ground Beef Potato Casserole is a simple, hearty, and unbelievably satisfying dinner that brings everyone running to the table. We’re talking tender sliced potatoes layered with savory, seasoned ground beef and smothered in a creamy sauce, all finished with a melty blanket of cheesy goodness. This one’s a game-changer for busy weeknights or when you just need a soul-warming hug. Ready in just over an hour, it’s easy enough for any home cook, and it delivers on that perfect, cozy, family-style meal feel.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort: This casserole hits all the right notes—creamy, cheesy, savory, and perfectly hearty. It’s pure, uncomplicated joy in a dish.
Simple Layering Magic: Even though it looks impressive, the process is simple! We’re just layering beef, potatoes, and a creamy sauce until we run out of ingredients.
Crowd-Pleasing Dinner: This recipe is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday dinner or a casual family gathering.
Minimal Fuss, Maximum Flavor: Thanks to a couple of pantry staples, we get incredible depth of flavor with very little effort. Seriously, you’re going to love this!

Ingredients

To make this Ground Beef Potato Casserole, you just need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time! Gather up these items to get started:

Ground Beef: The hearty, savory base of our casserole! Make sure to drain the fat well for the best texture.
Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the aromatics and adding a little richness to the dish.
Onion and Garlic: The dynamic duo! These aromatics are key to building that foundational savory flavor in the ground beef mixture.
Potatoes (Thinly Sliced): The texture star! Slicing them thin ensures they get beautifully tender as they bake into creamy perfection.
Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese: A double dose of cheesy heaven! Mozzarella adds stringy stretch, and Cheddar brings that classic, sharp flavor.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: Our secret weapon for instant creaminess and deep, comforting flavor. It makes the sauce silky smooth without any extra fuss.
Milk: Used to thin out the cream of mushroom soup and create a pourable, luscious sauce that soaks into the potatoes.
Dried Thyme and Paprika: These spices infuse the ground beef with warmth and a beautiful savory complexity. Thyme is classic for beef and potatoes!
Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all those gorgeous flavors to life. Don’t be shy!
Chopped Parsley: A little sprinkle of fresh green at the end for color and a bright, fresh note to balance the richness.

Note: The exact measurements for all of these wonderful ingredients, along with the full nutritional information, will be found right under this article in the recipe card!

How to Make the Ground Beef Potato Casserole

Get ready to whip up this incredible casserole—it’s easier than you think!

Step 1: Prep and Sauté the Aromatics

First things first, preheat your oven to $375^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($190^{\circ}\text{C}$). Lightly grease a $9 \times 13$-inch baking dish. In a large skillet, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic, and let them sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until they start smelling wonderfully fragrant.

Step 2: Cook and Season the Beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until it’s perfectly browned, using a spoon to break it up as you go. Once cooked, drain any excess fat—this keeps our casserole from getting greasy. Stir in the dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix, then take it off the heat and set it aside.

Step 3: Mix the Creamy Sauce

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and the milk until you have a smooth, pourable sauce. This is the liquid gold that ties the whole casserole together!

Step 4: Layer the Casserole

Now for the fun part! Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in a nice, even layer on the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Spread half of the seasoned ground beef mixture evenly over the potatoes. Pour half of the creamy soup mixture over the beef layer. Then, sprinkle a little bit of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Repeat and Finish the Layers

Repeat the layering process one more time! Add the remaining potatoes, then the rest of the ground beef, and finally, pour the remaining soup mixture over the top. The final, glorious touch is to sprinkle the remaining cheese generously all over the top.

Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. This allows the potatoes to steam and get beautifully tender. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the top is golden, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and irresistible. Garnish with that fresh chopped parsley before serving!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Slice Potatoes Thin and Evenly: The key to perfectly cooked potatoes in a casserole is consistency. Use a mandolin (carefully!) or take your time with a knife to ensure your slices are thin and uniform so they all finish cooking at the same time.
Don’t Skip Draining the Beef: Ground beef releases a lot of fat. Draining it keeps the overall texture of the casserole cleaner and prevents the bottom from becoming oily.
Season as You Go: Make sure you season the ground beef mixture well. Remember, the potatoes and sauce will absorb some of that seasoning, so don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the salt and pepper!
For Crispier Cheese: If you like an extra crispy, browned top layer, try turning on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking time once the foil is removed. Watch it closely!

How to Serve

This casserole is truly a meal in itself, but a few simple additions can make it an absolute feast!

Light Green Salad: Pair the richness of the casserole with a simple, bright green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette. It’s the perfect fresh contrast.
Steamed Veggies: A side of simple steamed green beans or broccoli adds color and nutrients without competing with the main dish.
Crusty Bread: You can never go wrong with a loaf of crusty sourdough or French bread to help scoop up any extra creamy sauce left on the plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

This is a fantastic meal to prep ahead of time, which makes life so much easier on a busy evening!

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight!

Freezing

You can freeze this casserole! Once cooled completely, cut it into individual servings or leave it whole. Place it in a freezer-safe container, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For the whole casserole, cover it with foil and reheat in the oven at $350^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($175^{\circ}\text{C}$) until it is heated all the way through, about 20 to 30 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I swap out the cream of mushroom soup for another cream soup?

Absolutely! If you aren’t a fan of mushroom, you can easily substitute it with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup. The texture will be very similar, and it will still give you that beautiful, creamy richness that makes this casserole so comforting. You might want to adjust your seasoning slightly to complement the new flavor.

2. Do I need to pre-cook the potatoes before layering the casserole?

Nope! That’s the beauty of this layered casserole. Slicing the potatoes thinly is the key. Covering the dish with foil for the first 45 minutes of baking creates a steamy environment that cooks the raw potatoes perfectly. They will absorb all that delicious creamy sauce and become meltingly tender right in the oven.

3. Can I use different types of meat or cheeses?

Definitely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You could swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. For the cheese, feel free to use a combination of Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even a little bit of Parmesan for an extra savory kick. Use whatever blend you love most!

4. Why is the beef drained after cooking?

Draining the beef is an important step to prevent the casserole from becoming greasy. Ground beef releases a good amount of fat as it cooks. Removing this excess fat ensures that the final dish is rich and flavorful from the sauce and cheese, but not heavy or oily, giving you the best eating experience.