Ground Beef Potato Casserole: Cozy and Delicious Dinner

This Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe is one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It comes together pretty easily, packing layers of savory beef, tender potatoes, and creamy cheese that everyone around my table adores.

A close-up view of a black cast iron skillet with a thick layered dish being lifted by a spoon. The dish has three visible layers: the bottom layer is dark brown meat, the middle layer is golden yellow potato slices with smooth texture, and the top layer is melted light golden cheese with crispy brown bits and some green herbs sprinkled. Cheese strings stretch from the skillet to the spoon, showing gooey texture. The background is a white marbled surface with blurred white containers. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have fond memories of making this Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe on chilly evenings when I craved something filling but straightforward. It’s one of those dishes that looks fancy but is surprisingly simple, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners with friends.

Rich Flavor Layers: The combination of ground beef, creamy soups, and cheese creates a depth of flavor that comforts everyone at the table.
One-Dish Convenience: Everything bakes together in a single skillet or casserole dish, making cleanup a breeze.
Customizable: You can easily swap cheeses, add veggies, or tweak seasoning to suit your tastes or what you have on hand.
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Every time I serve this, guests ask for seconds — and the leftovers don’t last long!

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe’s magic is in its simplicity combined with familiar flavors that blend beautifully. Each ingredient plays a role — from creamy soups that keep everything moist, to the crispy onions on top adding irresistible texture.

Flat lay of a small pile of fresh lean ground beef, a few whole yellow potatoes with smooth skin, a small mound of freshly grated Colby Jack cheese, two small white ceramic bowls each filled with creamy soup (one cream of chicken, one cream of celery), a small white bowl of milk, a tiny white bowl holding all-purpose seasoning, a tiny white bowl with Worcestershire sauce, and a small white bowl filled with crispy French’s fried onions, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: I recommend lean beef to avoid excess grease; it adds hearty protein and a savory base.
Potatoes: Yellow potatoes work well here for their creamy texture when baked.
Colby Jack cheese: Melts perfectly and adds a mild, rich flavor that complements the beef.
Cream of chicken soup: Adds comforting creaminess and depth of flavor.
Cream of celery soup: Brings a subtle vegetable note and cream texture that balances the dish.
Milk: Helps thin the soup mixture so it spreads evenly over the casserole.
All-purpose seasoning: Enhances overall flavor without overwhelming.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds a subtle umami kick that deepens the beef flavor.
French’s fried onions: My secret weapon for a crunchy topping and a burst of onion flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love nudging this recipe a bit depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. It’s a perfect base, so don’t hesitate to make it truly your own with a few twists.

Variation: One time, I swapped out the Colby Jack cheese for sharp cheddar and added a handful of spinach between the potatoes and cheese layers — it was a delicious green boost that I highly recommend.
Vegetarian Twist: Use cooked lentils or mushrooms in place of the beef with vegetable soups for a meatless but still hearty version.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce in the soup mixture if you like a little heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe

The dish shows a pile of sliced, cooked potatoes in a creamy, light yellow sauce on a white plate. The potatoes have golden-brown crispy edges with some pieces showing a melted cheese layer on top. Small bits of browned meat or mushrooms peek through the sauce around and between the potato slices. The whole dish is sprinkled with small green herb pieces. In the background, there is a black cast iron skillet with more of the same dish and a large spoon. A white pepper shaker and some shredded orange cheese on a white marbled surface are also visible nearby. A fork is slightly digging into the potatoes on the right side of the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté and Season the Ground Beef

Start by heating a lightly greased cast iron skillet or casserole dish over medium heat. Add your lean ground beef, break it up evenly, and season with salt and pepper. Cooking it first ensures it's nicely browned before layering, which adds flavor and prevents your casserole from getting watery.

Step 2: Layer Potatoes and Cheese

While the beef cooks, peel and thinly slice the potatoes — I usually go about ⅛-inch thick so they bake evenly. Layer them over the cooked beef in a single, even layer. Then generously sprinkle your grated Colby Jack cheese right on top. This cheesy layer melts into gooey goodness that pulls everything together.

Step 3: Mix and Add the Creamy Topping

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, milk, all-purpose seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. This mix will keep everything moist and flavorful. Spoon it evenly over the cheese, smoothing it out gently without disturbing the layers beneath.

Step 4: Bake and Finish With Crispy Onions

Cover your dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and bake for 90 minutes at 350°F. This slow bake lets the potatoes soften perfectly and melds all the flavors. When time’s up, remove the foil and spread a layer of French’s fried onions over the top. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crispy — that crunch is pure magic.

Top Tip

When I first tried this recipe, I learned that the key to tender potatoes is slicing them thin and keeping that foil seal tight during baking. It traps steam, preventing dry edges and ensuring every bite melts in your mouth.

Thin Potato Slices: Slice uniformly thin so potatoes cook evenly and become tender without needing to pre-cook.
Tight Foil Seal: Make sure the aluminum foil is sealed well to keep moisture in during baking, which avoids dryness.
Broil at the End: Don’t skip broiling the fried onions — that final step turns a good casserole into an unforgettable one with added texture and flavor.
Use a Catch Tray: Place a baking sheet under your casserole while baking to catch any bubbling over—less mess to clean later.

How to Serve Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe

A black frying pan with a black handle sits on a white marbled surface. Inside the pan, cooked ground beef forms a browned, crumbly base layer covering most of the pan. On top of the beef, near the center, there are three small piles: finely chopped white onions on the left, small green bell pepper pieces on the right, and minced garlic in a tiny mound between them. Nearby, on the surface, there are two small clear glass bowls and a wooden spatula to the right edge of the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top after broiling. The fresh herbs add a pop of color and brighten the rich flavors, making each serving feel fresh and inviting.

Side Dishes

To keep things balanced, I love pairing this casserole with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some steamed green beans. The freshness contrasts nicely with the creamy, hearty main dish.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this casserole family-style in a cast iron skillet right at the table, letting guests scoop their own portions. Another time, I made mini individual casseroles in ramekins — it felt fancy but was just as cozy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After dinner, I let the casserole cool completely before covering it tightly and storing leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, so it’s perfect for quick lunches or second helpings.

Freezing

Whenever I’m prepping ahead, I’ll freeze the whole casserole wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months. It thaws beautifully overnight in the fridge, and you can reheat slowly in the oven without losing that creamy, tender texture.

Reheating

I recommend reheating covered with foil in a 350°F oven until warmed through, usually about 20-30 minutes. This helps keep moisture locked in. For single servings, the microwave works fine — just watch the timing to avoid overcooking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cheese in this casserole?

Absolutely! Cheddar, mozzarella, or even a blend of cheeses work well. Just be sure you use enough to get that melty, cheesy layer everyone loves.

Is it necessary to use both cream of chicken and cream of celery soups?

Using both soups adds complexity to the flavor and extra creaminess, but you can substitute with just one soup or a homemade sauce if needed.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time and bake later?

Definitely! You can assemble the casserole and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.

What can I serve alongside this casserole for a balanced meal?

Simple sides like a green salad, steamed vegetables, or roasted Brussels sprouts complement the richness of the casserole wonderfully and round out your meal nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Hearty Ground Beef Potato Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s reliably delicious and totally fuss-free. Whether you’re feeding family or need a comforting solo dinner, it never disappoints. I’m pretty sure once you make it, you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again — and maybe even tweaking it with your own favorite add-ins!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way