Hearty Country Beef and Potato Bake Recipe for Cozy Nights

Savory aromas fill the kitchen as this hearty beef and potato bake recipe promises a delightful comfort meal.

Tender chunks of meat nestle between layers of creamy potatoes, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying solutions that pack a punch of deliciousness.

Home cooks adore this one-dish wonder for its incredible ease and rich, warming qualities.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of juicy beef and soft, golden potatoes.

The recipe delivers a classic combination that speaks to pure, rustic culinary comfort.

Let’s find out this comforting dish that turns an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 90 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Build Beef and Potato Bake

• Ground Beef: Lean cuts provide rich, hearty flavor and substantial protein for a satisfying main dish, choose 80/20 blend for optimal juiciness.
• Russet Potatoes: Starchy and sturdy potatoes create perfect layered base, select firm potatoes without sprouts or green patches for best texture.

• Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic depth to the dish, look for firm onions with smooth, papery skin.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated garlic essence without chopping, opt for pure powder without additives.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates all flavors, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.
• Paprika: Introduces subtle warmth and beautiful color, choose sweet or smoked variety based on preferred intensity.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully creating creamy texture, select sharp variety for more pronounced flavor.
• Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides silky consistency and umami undertones, pick low-sodium version for better control.
• Milk: Helps create smooth, cohesive sauce, whole milk offers richest results.
• Olive Oil: Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking, extra virgin provides best flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds fresh, herbaceous finish, choose vibrant green leaves without wilting.

Cooking Tools for Beef and Potato Bake

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and onions evenly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and baking the casserole.
• Whisk: Helps mix condensed soup and milk smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing potatoes into thin, consistent layers.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for potato preparation.
• Aluminum foil: Covers the dish during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning for the beef.

How to Make Beef and Potato Bake from Scratch

• Meat and Potato Foundation

Gather your favorite skillet and start crafting a hearty comfort meal that will make everyone at the dinner table smile. Select fresh ground beef and crisp vegetables to build incredible flavor layers.

• Sizzling Savory Base

Warm the skillet and transform the ground beef into a golden, delicious landscape. Sprinkle aromatic seasonings that will dance across the meat, creating a rich and inviting aroma that fills the kitchen.

• Layered Comfort Landscape

Create a delightful culinary canvas in your baking dish. Alternate tender potato slices and seasoned beef, then generously scatter melting cheese between each delectable layer. Each section will promise a burst of warmth and satisfaction.

• Creamy Liquid Magic

Blend a smooth, velvety sauce that will weave through the layers, adding moisture and depth to the entire dish. Pour this magical mixture evenly across the top, ensuring every bite will be wonderfully juicy.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the dish into a preheated oven and let the magic happen. The heat will meld flavors, create a golden crispy top, and transform your ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece ready to be shared and enjoyed.

Flavor Tips for Beef and Potato Bake

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and delicious.
• Add chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne for extra heat that transforms this classic comfort meal into a zesty experience.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by mixing chopped bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms into the beef layer for added texture and flavor complexity.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend to create unique flavor profiles that make this dish exciting and fresh.
• Use waxy potato varieties like Yukon gold or red potatoes for a creamier texture, or try sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet twist on the traditional recipe.

Serve Beef and Potato Bake with Style

• Hearty Family Feast: Serve this comforting casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors.
• Fresh Veggie Companion: Roast some seasonal vegetables like broccoli or carrots alongside the bake to add nutritional variety and vibrant colors to the plate.
• Bread Basket Boost: Warm garlic bread or soft dinner rolls make perfect sidekicks, helping guests soak up the delicious cheesy sauce and adding extra texture to the meal.
• Cool Creamy Contrast: Top with a dollop of sour cream or fresh chives to introduce a cool, zesty element that cuts through the casserole's hearty warmth.

Beef and Potato Bake Storing and Saving Guide

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the baked dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, allowing it to stay delicious in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk to maintain moisture.
• Portion Control Hack: Divide the casserole into individual serving-sized containers for easy grab-and-go meals during busy weekdays. Label each container with the date and contents for quick identification.

Hearty Beef and Potato Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beef and potato bake combines rustic ingredients from rural Eastern European kitchens. Rich layers of tender meat, creamy potatoes, and aromatic herbs promise comfort in each savory bite you’ll eagerly devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground beef
• 2 cups (480 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) milk
• 1 can (10.75 oz or 305 g) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheating and Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, crumbling the meat while incorporating finely diced onions until the beef is thoroughly cooked and onions are translucent.
3. Seasoning Blend: Enhance the beef mixture with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and sweet paprika, ensuring robust and even flavor distribution.
4. Initial Layering: Construct the first foundation by spreading half the seasoned beef across the baking dish, creating an even base layer.
5. Potato and Cheese Stratification: Meticulously arrange thinly sliced potatoes over the beef, completely covering the surface, then lavishly sprinkle shredded cheese to create a decadent, melting layer.
6. Secondary Layering: Replicate the previous step by adding remaining beef mixture, topping with another potato layer and a generous cheese coating.
7. Creamy Binding Sauce: Whisk condensed cream soup and whole milk together until achieving a smooth, cohesive sauce that will permeate the casserole.
8. Sauce Integration: Carefully pour the soup mixture over the entire dish, ensuring complete coverage and penetration between layers.
9. Initial Baking Phase: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour, allowing potatoes to tenderize and flavors to harmonize.
10. Final Browning: Remove foil and continue baking 20-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and develops a crispy texture.
11. Resting Period: Extract from oven and let the casserole rest 10 minutes, enabling layers to stabilize and facilitating clean, precise serving.

Notes

• Slice Potatoes Uniformly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to cut potatoes to equal thickness, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Layer Strategically: Arrange potato slices in overlapping patterns to create a dense, compact base that absorbs the creamy sauce and prevents dry spots.
• Control Moisture Level: Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for better absorption and to prevent excess liquid from forming at the bottom of the baking dish.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Mix different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar and mozzarella for deeper flavor complexity and superior melting properties.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 90 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg