Description

This Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Combining savory browned ground beef with frozen potatoes, creamy cheddar and celery soups, and a generous topping of melted cheddar cheese, this casserole is simple to prepare and bakes to golden perfection. It strikes the ideal balance of creamy textures and cheesy flavors with just a hint of seasoning, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1 pound ground beef

Potatoes

1 (28 oz) bag frozen cubed potatoes with onions & peppers

Soups

1 (10.5 oz) can cheddar cheese soup
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of celery soup (or cream of mushroom soup)

Cheese

2+ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

Seasoning

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, or seasoning to taste

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Brown the Ground Beef: In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, chop and brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or your preferred seasonings. Once cooked, drain off and dab away most of the excess grease using paper towels.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the browned ground beef, frozen cubed potatoes with onions and peppers, cheddar cheese soup, cream of celery soup, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. Adjust seasoning if desired, keeping in mind the soups contain salt.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top to create a cheesy crust.
Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the potatoes to cook through and flavors to meld.
Bake Uncovered: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese on top starts to brown and bubble.
Broil for Extra Browning (Optional): For a beautifully golden and bubbly cheese crust, turn on the oven broiler during the last few minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

You can substitute cream of mushroom soup for cream of celery soup if preferred.
Adjust the amount of cheese on top according to your preference for cheesiness.
Be cautious with additional seasoning because canned soups already contain salt.
Use fresh cubed potatoes if preferred, increasing bake time accordingly.
To make this a lower fat dish, consider using lean ground beef or ground turkey.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheesy ground beef casserole, potato casserole, comfort food, baked casserole, easy dinner recipe