Description
Hearty hamburger potato casserole combines classic comfort ingredients for a satisfying family meal. Midwestern home cooking delivers rich layers of ground beef, potatoes, and melted cheese that you’ll savor with genuine comfort.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (907 g) lean ground beef (about 93% lean)
- 1 cup (226 g) mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 3 Russet potatoes (skin on, sliced into 0.25 inches rounds)
- 1.25 cups (296 ml) onion (chopped)
- 1 cup (237 ml) milk (plant-based or whole)
- 0.25 cup (60 g) Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2.25 tbsps (32 g) butter
- 2.25 tbsps (20 g) gluten-free flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) beef broth
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Salt and pepper for cream sauce (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a large skillet, draining excess fat completely. Incorporate onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, mixing until vegetables soften and seasonings distribute evenly.
- Sauce Creation: In a separate pan, craft a velvety sauce by melting butter and whisking in gluten-free flour until smooth. Slowly introduce milk and beef broth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and blend in Greek yogurt, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Layering Foundation: Create alternating layers in the baking dish – first a potato base, then seasoned beef, followed by a generous pour of creamy sauce. Repeat layering process to ensure complete ingredient integration.
- Cheese Topping: Blanket the final layer with a luxurious blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes until potatoes reach tender perfection. Uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes more, allowing cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Serving: Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken before serving.
Notes
Prep Ahead Strategy: Slice potatoes and chop onions in advance, storing in cold water to prevent browning and save significant cooking time on busy evenings.
Potato Precision: Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the best texture, as they hold shape while creating a creamy interior during baking.
Fat Management: Thoroughly drain ground beef after browning to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain a lighter, more appetizing dish.
Cheese Melt Mastery: Mix different cheese varieties for complex flavor depth, ensuring they’re freshly shredded for optimal melting and smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg