Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- ¼ cup milk (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven (The Baking Begins): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Greasing the dish will prevent the casserole from sticking and make it easier to serve.
- Cook the Ground Beef (The Savory Foundation): In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if needed. Draining the excess fat will help to prevent the casserole from being too greasy.
- Add Onion and Garlic (The Flavor Boost): Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Sautéing the onion and garlic enhances their flavor and adds depth to the ground beef mixture.
- Layer the Casserole (The Assembly): Layer the thinly sliced potatoes on top of the ground beef in the prepared baking dish. First, spread the cooked ground beef mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish. Then, arrange the potatoes on top, slightly overlapping them. Overlapping the potatoes slightly ensures that they cook evenly and prevents them from drying out.
- Season the Potatoes (The Flavor Infusion): Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Seasoning the potatoes generously is key to a flavorful casserole.
- Add Cheese and Broth (The Finishing Touches): Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes. Pour the beef broth (or water) around the edges of the casserole to keep the potatoes moist while baking. Optionally, drizzle with milk for extra creaminess. The beef broth or water creates steam during baking, which helps to cook the potatoes through evenly.
- Bake the Casserole (The Transformation): Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden. Covering the casserole with foil during the first part of baking helps to trap the moisture and ensures that the potatoes cook through. Removing the foil during the last part of baking allows the cheese to brown and become bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve (The Grand Finale): Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot! Fresh parsley adds a touch of freshness and visual appeal to the casserole.
Notes
- Thinly slice potatoes.
- Don’t overcrowd dish.
- Check for doneness.
- Adjust seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American