Layered Potato and Meat Casserole: A Comforting Family Dish

Layered Potato and Meat Casserole: A Comforting Family Dish

Introduction

There’s something magical about casseroles—they bring together flavors in perfect harmony and offer a warm, hearty meal that feels like home. This layered potato and meat casserole is a dish that combines tender potatoes, savory minced meat, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce. It’s perfect for gatherings or as a satisfying family dinner. Let’s create this layered masterpiece step by step.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1 cm thick rounds
• 500g ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• 2 large tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 1/2 cup water or broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Additional:

• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Olive oil for greasing

Instructions

Preparing the Meat Mixture:

1. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
2. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Season with paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
3. Set the cooked meat aside to cool slightly.

Assembling the Casserole:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a rectangular baking dish with olive oil.
2. Arrange alternating layers of potato slices and the cooked meat mixture in the dish, standing them upright like an accordion.
3. Continue until the dish is fully filled, ensuring the layers are packed snugly.

Making the Sauce:

1. In the same skillet used for the meat, heat olive oil and sauté the carrots and red bell pepper until softened.
2. Add the grated tomatoes, tomato paste, water or broth, oregano, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Baking:

1. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the potato and meat layers, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
2. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the top layer caramelize slightly.

Serving and Conclusion

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a slice of crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.

In conclusion, this layered potato and meat casserole is a celebration of comfort food at its finest. Its tender, flavorful layers make it a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare yet impressive on the table. Try it for your next family meal, and watch as it becomes an instant favorite!