Meat & Potato Casserole

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 50–60 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)

• 4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

• ½ cup milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning

• Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven

   • Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.

2. Cook the meat

   • Heat oil in a skillet.

   • Sauté onion until soft. Add garlic.

   • Add ground meat, salt, pepper, paprika. Cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

3. Prepare sauce

   • In a bowl, mix soup and milk until smooth.

4. Assemble casserole

   • Layer half of the sliced potatoes in dish.

   • Spread half of the meat mixture over potatoes.

   • Pour half of the soup mixture.

   • Repeat layers.

5. Bake

   • Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.

   • Remove foil, sprinkle cheese, bake 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6. Rest & serve

   • Let sit 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I use raw potatoes?
A: Yes—slice thin so they cook evenly.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Yes! Assemble, cover, refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes—freeze unbaked or baked for up to 2 months.

⭐ Tips & Tricks

✔ Use a mandoline for even potato slices
✔ Add frozen peas or carrots for veggies
✔ Swap cheese for mozzarella or Colby Jack
✔ Use cream of celery for lighter flavor
✔ For crisp top, broil 2–3 minutes

🔄 Variations

• Cheesy Bacon Version: Add cooked bacon

• Mexican Style: Taco seasoning + pepper jack

• Healthy Version: Lean turkey + low-fat soup

• WW-Friendly: Use 96% lean beef, reduced-fat cheese, low-fat soup