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Home » Recipes » American

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

Updated: Apr 25, 2025 Published: Feb 28, 2025 by Lola Jay This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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If you're searching for an easy dinner idea that’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a must-try! Made with simple ingredients, this hearty ground beef casserole is perfect for a slow Sunday when you need a filling meal that the whole family will love.

With layers of tender potatoes, a rich ground beef mixture, a creamy sauce, and loads of melty cheese, this pure comfort food is a busy day lifesaver. Whether you use Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes, the result is always delicious.

Cheesy, golden slice of potato beef casserole being served, hot and delicious.

Why You'll Love This Hearty Casserole


Perfect for Picky Eaters – This cheesy beef dish is a guaranteed hit!
Great for Meal Prep – Store leftovers in an airtight container for the next day.
Budget-Friendly – Uses easy ground beef recipes staples like a pound of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese.
Versatile – Swap lean ground beef for turkey, or add fresh corn and veggies.

If you enjoy this casserole try this Cheesy Beef & Elbow Pasta, Potatoes Au Gratin, or Tini's Viral Mac & Cheese. I like to serve my casseroles with a nice Butter Lettuce Salad or Roasted Vegetables with Basil Lemon Sauce.


Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole Video


Ingredients

Full ingredients, instructions, and photos in the recipe card at the end of this post

For the Casserole:

  • 3 lbs Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes – Peeled and thinly sliced to ¼ inch slices
  • 1 tablespoon beef or chicken bouillon. I love THIS brand.
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ white onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce or marinara sauce
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

How to Make Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole

Prep the Ingredients

  • Slice potatoes into thin rounds for even cooking. About ¼ inch thick.
  • Dice the onion and crush the garlic.
  • Shred the cheese

Parboil the Potatoes

  • In a large pot, place the potato slices in cold water with a tbsb of chicken or beef bouillon. Bring to a boil and boil for 4-5 minutes until the potatoes are partially cooked. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Meat Mixture

  • While potatoes are cooking, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef
  • Drain excess fat and add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and let simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set meat aside.

Make the Creamy Sauce

  • In a the same pan rinsed, melt butter over medium heat.
  • Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Stir in heavy cream and bring to a slow simmer for 1 minute.
  • Add in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Stir in the softened cream cheese and stir to break up any large chunks
  • Turn the heat off and slowly grate in the parmigiano reggiano.

Assemble the Casserole

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  2. Layer ingredients in the following order:
    • Bottom of the prepared baking dish – spread a little creamy sauce.
    • Layer of potatoes
    • Meat mixture – Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
    • Half of the cheese – Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese.
    • Layer of white sauce
    • Arrange the second layer of potatoes.
    • Remaining beef mixture – Spread over the top.
    • A layer of cheese
    • Layer of white sauce
    • Top with remaining potatoes, white sauce and cheese

Bake to Perfection

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and broil for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

Let rest for 10 mins and serve!


Cheesy beef and potato casserole served hot in a baking dish, topped with melted golden cheese.

Tips for the Best Cheesy Beef Casserole

Use a Mandoline – This ensures thin, even potato slices.
Pre-cook the Potatoes – For faster baking, par-boil them for 5 minutes.
Let It Rest – Resting helps the casserole set before cutting.


FAQ

Can I use Yukon Gold potatoes instead of Russet?

Yes! Yukon Gold potatoes add a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the casserole and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes! Freeze before baking or after it's fully cooked. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Definitely! Fresh corn, mushrooms, or spinach would be great additions.


⭐️ Recipe

Cheesy beef and potato casserole served hot in a baking dish, topped with melted golden cheese.

Cheesy Beef & Potato Casserole

Lola Jay
If you're searching for an easy dinner idea that’s hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a must-try! Made with simple ingredients, this hearty ground beef casserole is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a filling meal that the whole family will love.
4 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 648 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Casserole

  • 3 lbs Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes – Peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon beef or chicken bouillon
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ white onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for spice
  • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce or marinara sauce
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

For the Creamy Sauce

  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

Prep the Ingredients and boil potatoes

  • Slice potatoes into thin rounds for even cooking.
    Hands holding a thin slice of potato over a mandoline slicer. Cooking preparation process.
  • Dice the onion and crush the garlic.
    Cutting an onion on a wooden board with a sharp knife for a fresh cooking preparation.
  • In a large pot, place to potato slices in cold water with a tbsb of chicken or beef bouillon. Bring to a boil and boil for 4-5 minutes until the potatoes are partially cooked. Drain and set aside.
    Sliced potatoes soaking in a pot of water on a wooden surface, ready for boiling.

Cook the Meat Mixture

  • While potatoes are cooking, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef
    Cooking ground beef on a hot skillet for a delicious meal preparation.
  • Drain excess fat and add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
    Adding onions to cooking ground beef in a skillet.
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional)
    Ground beef and onions cooking in a cast iron skillet, seasoned with spices for a flavorful dish.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and let simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
    Cooking ground beef with tomato sauce in a skillet for a delicious meal preparation.

Make the Creamy Sauce

  • In a the same pan rinsed, melt butter over medium heat.
    Person melting butter in a hot skillet with a red top, in a cozy kitchen.
  • Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    Melting butter in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spatula stirring in garlic.
  • Stir in heavy cream and bring to a slow simmer for 1 minute.
    Pouring cream into a frying pan with a wooden spoon, cooking preparation close-up.
  • Add in the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder.
    Pot with creamy sauce and herbs being stirred.
  • Stir in the softened cream cheese and stir to break up any large chunks
    Person adding cream cheese to a steaming pan for cooking, close-up shot in a kitchen setting.
  • Turn the heat off and slowly grate in the parmigiano reggiano.
    Grating cheese over creamy sauce in a skillet for a delicious homemade pasta dish.

Assemble the Casserole

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
    Hand adjusting oven temperature dial to 160 degrees, focusing on precise cooking settings at home.
  • Start layering process: Bottom of the prepared baking dish – spread a little creamy sauce.
    Spreading creamy sauce in a white baking dish with a spoon for a delicious recipe.
  • Layer of potatoes
    Sliced potatoes layered in a white baking dish on a wooden table, ready for cooking.
  • Meat mixture – Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
    Layered potato casserole with seasoned ground meat in a white baking dish.
  • Half of the cheese – Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese.
    Sprinkling cheese over a beef dish in a baking tray, preparing a savory meal.
  • Layer of white sauce
    Layered casserole with cheese and sauce being prepared in a white baking dish on a wooden surface.
  • Arrange the second layer of potatoes.
    Person layering sliced potatoes in a baking dish for a potato casserole recipe.
  • Remaining beef mixture – Spread over the top.
    Layered potato and meat casserole in white dish being prepared with a spoon.
  • Layer of white sauce
    Preparing homemade moussaka: layering minced meat and sauce in a baking dish for a delicious Greek casserole.
  • Layer of cheese
    Person sprinkling shredded cheese over a casserole dish in a kitchen setting.
  • Top with remaining potatoes, white sauce and cheese
    Person preparing cheesy gratin dish with shredded cheese in a baking dish on a wooden table.

Bake to Perfection

  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
    Woman in red shirt wrapping a dish with foil in a cozy kitchen setting.
  • Remove the foil and broil for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
    Creamy baked cheese potato casserole in a white dish.
  • Let rest for 10 mins and serve!
    Cheesy potato casserole with creamy sauce being served from a baking dish, topped with golden melted cheese.

Video

Nutrition Facts
Cheesy Beef & Potato Casserole
Amount per Serving
Calories
648
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
40
g
62
%
Saturated Fat
 
24
g
150
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
11
g
Cholesterol
 
150
mg
50
%
Sodium
 
772
mg
34
%
Potassium
 
1061
mg
30
%
Carbohydrates
 
37
g
12
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
37
g
74
%
Vitamin A
 
1466
IU
29
%
Vitamin C
 
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
 
588
mg
59
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Margo L. says

    February 28, 2025 at 11:30 pm

    4 stars
    Why didn't I think of this?

    Reply
4 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




Smiling woman holding a delicious sandwich with fresh ingredients.

Hi, I'm Lola

Just your not so average girl next door who loves all things food. I was born in Paris, France to a tribe of women who love to cook and bake! I bring you quick and easy recipes from all over the world, but my heart (and taste buds) belong to Mediterranean cuisine. As a mom and stepmom to four kids, quick and delicious is my goal!

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