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

Introduction

This Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (One-Pan Dinner!) is the answer to busy-weeknight meal dilemmas. The savory combination of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and gooey melted cheese creates a hearty dish that’s sure to satisfy everyone at the table. The best part? Everything bakes together in one pan, making cleanup as easy as the prep.

Why This Casserole Is a Family Favorite

Layering classic comfort flavors, this casserole transforms humble pantry staples into a filling, crowd-pleasing meal. The potatoes soak up all the rich flavors from the beef and cheese, resulting in a nostalgic and comforting dinner that’s bound to become a household staple. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable—add your favorite veggies or spices for a personal touch.

Tips for the Creamiest, Cheesiest Casserole

The secret to an ultra-creamy casserole is gently pre-cooking the potatoes and spreading the cheese in two layers—half mixed in, half on top. This ensures every forkful gets a melty, cheesy bite. For extra depth, include a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of cream in the beef mixture.

How to Layer and Bake for Maximum Flavor

Start by browning your ground beef with onions and garlic, then layer the sliced potatoes evenly in the pan. Pour the savory beef mixture over the potatoes, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and repeat. Baking uncovered ensures the top turns perfectly golden and bubbly. Allow it to rest for a few minutes after baking to let the flavors meld together before slicing.

Serving Suggestions: Sides and Toppings

Serve this casserole piping hot, straight from the pan. Garnish with green onions, a dollop of sour cream, or fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Pair with a simple side salad or steamed green beans for a well-balanced meal—perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes 6 hearty servings, each delivering satisfying protein, carbs, and fiber. Expect around 400-480 calories per serving depending on the cheese and beef used. It’s a great option for a filling main course and can easily be made gluten-free by checking your ingredient labels.

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (Recap)

With only one pan and a handful of accessible ingredients, this casserole is weeknight dinner perfection. The golden, cheesy crust and tender potatoes will win over even the pickiest of eaters, and you’ll love the ease of both prep and cleanup.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—streamlining your grocery trips and weekly meal plans.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or large ovenproof skillet with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onion until browned and onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat. Stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using), cooking for 1 minute more.
3. In a bowl, combine condensed cream of mushroom soup and milk or cream. Mix well.
4. Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the beef mixture over the potatoes. Pour half of the soup mixture evenly on top, then sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
5. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef mixture, soup, and finish with the last cup of cheese on top.
6. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and potatoes are tender.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley or green onions. Slice and serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

This casserole is ideal for batch cooking and meal prep, as it reheats beautifully for lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly plan to effortlessly organize ingredient lists for all your meals, cutting down on repeat purchases and forgotten items.

Planning Benefits:

• Keeps all your recipes and associated shopping lists in one simple dashboard
• Organizes ingredients by aisle, so you don’t have to backtrack at the store
• Helps batch similar prep steps across multiple meals for time-savings
• Reduces food waste by consolidating ingredient quantities automatically

Pro tip: Schedule this casserole alongside other one-pot recipes for seamless weeknight planning and a more efficient, budget-friendly shopping experience.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55–60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Enjoy the comforting flavors and simplicity of this Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole—your future busy weeknights will thank you!