Hearty Cheesy Potato Casserole

Hearty Cheesy Potato Casserole

Introduction

This hearty cheesy potato casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or a cozy weeknight meal. It’s packed with flavor and texture, thanks to the creamy potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted cheese. This casserole is easy to make and can be customized with your favorite vegetables and seasonings.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven:
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Cook the potatoes:
4. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the potatoes until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
5. Brown the ground beef:
6. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
7. Sauté the onion and garlic:
8. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
9. Combine the ingredients:
10. In a large bowl, combine the cooked potatoes, ground beef mixture, cream of mushroom soup, milk, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
11. Assemble the casserole:
12. Transfer the potato mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese and bread crumbs on top. Drizzle with melted butter.
13. Bake:
14. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
15. Serve:
16. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• For a spicier kick, add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the ground beef mixture.
• You can use any type of cheese you like for this recipe. A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack is also delicious.
• To make this casserole ahead of time, assemble it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
• For a healthier option, use whole wheat bread crumbs and low-fat cheese.

Conclusion

This hearty cheesy potato casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion. It’s a great way to use up leftover potatoes and is sure to please everyone at the table. With its creamy potatoes, savory ground beef, and melted cheese, this casserole is the ultimate comfort food.