A warm, hearty meal that transforms simple ingredients into a cozy dish with layers of tender scalloped potatoes, savory ground beef, and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 pound ground beef
4 cups scalloped potatoes (fresh or frozen)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon thyme or rosemary (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your casserole will bake evenly.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks—about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and any additional herbs. Cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, which will help thicken your mixture.
Add the milk and cream, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a greased baking dish, layer half of the scalloped potatoes on the bottom. Spread half of the beef mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let your casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set a bit.
