Description
This simple and hearty 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining ground beef with creamy condensed soups, frozen potatoes, and cheddar cheese, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to a cheesy, satisfying finish. Ready in just over an hour and serving 12, this casserole is both delicious and convenient.
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1½ to 2 pounds ground beef
- 10.5 ounce can cream of condensed mushroom soup
- 10.5 ounce can cream of condensed cheddar cheese soup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen cubed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef thoroughly until browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from being too oily, then transfer the beef to a large mixing bowl.
- Add Soups: To the bowl with the beef, add the cream of mushroom soup and cream of cheddar cheese soup. These will create a creamy base for the casserole.
- Add Potatoes: Stir in the frozen cubed potatoes, which will cook through as the casserole bakes.
- Add Cheese and Season: Mix in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Combine all ingredients well for even flavor distribution.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Grease a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish and pour the mixture into it. Spread it out evenly to promote even baking.
- Top with Cheese and Cover: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in during the initial baking phase.
- Bake Covered: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and the potatoes to soften.
- Bake Uncovered: Carefully remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes. This step helps brown the cheese topping and develop a delicious crust.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the ground beef well to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
- You can substitute frozen diced potatoes with hash browns if preferred.
- For extra flavor, feel free to add diced onions or garlic when cooking the ground beef.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
