Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds russet potatoes, sliced to 1/4-inch thickness
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90% or higher)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Colby-Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom, celery, or broccoli)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)
- Butter, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Potatoes: Slice the potatoes to 1/4-inch thickness. Optionally, peel them. Soak the slices in water to prevent browning.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make Sauce: In a separate pan, combine milk and cream of chicken soup. Heat over medium until smooth. Stir in the cheeses and continue to heat until melted and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a baking dish. Layer the potatoes in the dish, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a layer of cooked ground beef, followed by cheese. Repeat layers 3-4 times, ending with cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
- Rest: Let the casserole rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to set the layers
Notes
- Let the casserole cool for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the layers to settle.
- For even cooking, ensure potato slices are uniformly thin.
- If using frozen hash browns, there’s no need to pre-cook them.
- The sauce can be made ahead and stored for up to a day in the fridge.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure the ground beef reaches 160°F.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (45 minutes covered, 15-20 minutes uncovered)
- Category: Main dish, Comfort food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian