Description
Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole is a warm, comforting, and hearty one-dish meal combining tender lean ground beef, savory vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping crowned with melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, it is an easy-to-make casserole that satisfies comfort food cravings with simple pantry ingredients and endless adaptable variations.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn) fresh or frozen
Base & Sauce
- 1 cup tomato sauce or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried herbs (e.g., thyme, parsley, or Italian seasoning)
Topping
- 2 to 3 cups creamy mashed potatoes
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ground Beef Mixture: Brown 1 lb lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables and 1 cup tomato sauce or canned tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp dried herbs. Simmer briefly to combine flavors.
- Layer the Casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the dish. Carefully spoon or spread 2 to 3 cups creamy mashed potatoes over the beef mixture, smoothing the surface to form a thick, even layer.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes to create a golden bubbly crust as it bakes.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- Drain excess grease from cooked beef to avoid a soggy casserole base.
- Mash potatoes until smooth for a creamy, luscious topping.
- Cook beef and vegetables in batches if necessary to ensure even browning.
- Use fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme as garnish after baking for added brightness.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to help it set and slice cleanly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400-450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg