Oh, honey, when life gets hectic and you just need dinner on the table that tastes like a massive, warm hug? This is the recipe. Forget those complicated weekend projects; we’re talking serious comfort food that requires practically zero brainpower. I’m talking about my ultra-simple, ridiculously satisfying Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes casserole. Seriously, this thing is a weeknight lifesaver because it uses ingredients I almost always have on hand, and it bakes up bubbly and golden.

This recipe became legendary at our house because of my Aunt Carol. She always made it after my uncle deployed overseas, saying it was the easiest thing to throw together when she was feeling lonely or overwhelmed with paperwork. It always made the whole house smell amazing—that rich beef mixed with melting cheddar? Perfection. Trust me when I say it’s the ultimate fix for when you need a filling beef casserole that even the pickiest eaters will polish off!

Gather Your Ingredients for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

Okay, the absolute best part about this dish is that you probably have 80% of this stuff in your pantry right now. No fancy trips to the specialty store necessary! We’re keeping this super straightforward, but pay close attention to how you prep the potatoes—that’s key for texture.

Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

One full pound of ground beef—I usually grab 80/20 because we want a little fat for flavor!
One medium onion, don’t skip this; chop it up real fine.
A can of that trusty condensed cream of mushroom soup. If you’re curious about making your own sometime, I found a great recipe for that, but this one works so fast!
Just half a cup of milk to thin out the soup slightly.
A teaspoon of salt and a dash of black pepper—seasoning is the backbone!
Four medium potatoes. These need to be peeled and sliced super thin, you’re aiming for about 1/8-inch thick slices so they cook through.
And the star: two glorious cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Go for sharp; mild melts okay, but sharp tastes like heaven!

Expert Tips for Perfect Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

You can follow the recipe exactly, and it’ll be great. But if you want that “Wow, this casserole is amazing!” reaction? That comes down to a couple of tiny details I learned the hard way. When I first made this Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes years ago, I rushed the prep, and the potatoes ended up half-crispy, half-mushy. Never again!

The secret sauce, honestly, is paying attention to your prep work. We aren’t making mashed potatoes here; we need everything to meld together beautifully during that bake time. If you’re looking for more potato inspiration after this, you absolutely must check out these Parmesan roasted potatoes.

Potato Slicing Matters for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

This is non-negotiable for this casserole! If your potato slices are chunky, guess what happens? The thin ones turn to complete baby food while the thick ones are still hiding raw centers when the cheese gets all bubbly. You need uniform slices—aim for about 1/8 of an inch. If you don’t have a mandoline, just take your time with a sharp knife, okay? Patience pays off here.

Flavor Boosters for Your Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

While the recipe is solid, the ground beef mixture welcomes a little extra complexity! My personal trick when I’m using leaner beef is to add about a teaspoon of garlic powder right in with the salt and pepper. And if you have it handy, two dashes of Worcestershire sauce stirred into the meat right before you mix it with the soup? It adds this incredible savory depth without tasting like Worcestershire.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

Alright, let’s get cooking! This recipe is all about building layers of flavor, and once you see how easy it is, you’ll be making this Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes bake every week. Just follow these steps, and I promise you’ll end up with a bubbling beauty ready for the dinner table. If you want to see another great casserole, I really love how simple this twice-baked potato casserole is, too!

Preparing the Base for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

First things first: heat that oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a quick, light grease. Now, grab your skillet! Cook that ground beef and your chopped onion together over medium heat. You want that beef completely browned—no pink spots hiding anywhere! When it’s done, you *must* drain off every bit of excess grease. Nobody wants a greasy casserole, trust me on this one.

Layering the Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes Casserole

This is where the magic happens. In a big bowl, combine your drained meat mixture with the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper. Give that a good stir until everything is happy and combined. Now for the layering! Start by laying exactly half of your thinly sliced potatoes snugly on the bottom of the prepared dish. Top those potatoes with half of your beef mixture. Then, sprinkle half of that gorgeous cheddar right on top. See the pattern? You repeat everything: remaining potatoes, the rest of the beef mixture, and finally, all of your remaining cheese goes on top to create that perfect golden crust.

Baking and Resting Your Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

Slide that filled dish into the hot oven. It’s going to need 50 to 60 minutes—that’s the longest part! You’re looking for two things: the potatoes should be completely tender when poked (use a fork to check!), AND the cheese should be beautifully melted, bubbly, and starting to turn slightly golden brown around the edges. Once it comes out, please, please let it rest for five minutes. It seems short, but this crucial resting time lets those layers settle before you dive in for serving!

Why This Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes Recipe Works

If you’re eyeing this recipe, you’re probably wondering what makes it better than just throwing some leftovers in a dish. Well, I can tell you why it’s always a hit at my table. It’s designed for real life, not just pretty pictures!

It’s unbelievably fast for a baked dish. I mean, with only 15 minutes of active prep time, you can get this into the oven and start setting the table. Maximum effort for minimum time—that’s my motto!
It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Ground beef, potatoes, and tons of cheddar cheese? Come on. It satisfies everyone, from my picky nephew to my husband who burns toast just looking at an oven.
The soup base acts like magic. That cream of mushroom soup doesn’t just taste good; it locks in moisture while the potatoes cook, ensuring every layer is tender, not dry.
It’s totally forgiving! If you’re a little heavy-handed with the cheese or forget an exact herb measure, it’s honestly still going to taste fantastic. Find more quick, satisfying ideas right here: easy dinner recipes are the best!

Ingredient Substitutions for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

You know I love sticking to the tried-and-true, but sometimes you open the cupboard and realize you’re out of mushroom soup or you only have Monterey Jack instead of cheddar. Don’t panic! This Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes recipe is flexible enough to handle a few swaps without turning into a sad, soupy mess. It’s all about using what you have, right?

First up, let’s talk about soup. If you happen to run out of cream of mushroom—oops!—the recipe notes actually suggest using cream of chicken soup instead. And honestly? That works beautifully! It doesn’t change the texture at all, just gives the sauce a slightly different, maybe even richer, savory note. If you want to try something totally different but still creamy, some people have had good luck with cream of celery, though I haven’t tested that one myself yet.

Now for the cheese swap. Cheddar is my go-to because it melts so smoothly and brings that familiar tang, but if you’re feeling fancy or just need to use up what’s hiding in the back of the fridge, try a mix! Monterey Jack melts just as beautifully, and if you mix it 50/50 with Colby or Pepper Jack, you get that wonderful melt factor plus a little kick. If you are a huge cheese fan and want to dive deeper into cheese recipes, you should peek at this homemade cheese pie recipe—it’s an indulgence!

And don’t stress about the ground beef, either. If you’re trying to lighten things up, ground turkey is an easy 1-to-1 substitute here. Just make sure you add that extra half teaspoon of salt and maybe a pinch of dried sage or thyme to help the turkey flavor along, since it’s usually a bit milder than beef.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

Okay, I’m going to level with you: this stuff is *so* good that sometimes we don’t even have leftovers! But when we do, knowing how to store it right makes all the difference so that second serving tastes almost as good as the first. Trust me, nobody wants dried-out potatoes the next day.

When you’re done eating, resist the urge to just stick the whole serving dish in the fridge, especially if it’s metal, because sometimes that can affect the leftovers later. Let the dish cool down on the counter for about an hour—just until it’s no longer piping hot—and then cover it up tightly. The best way to store your glorious Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes is to transfer the remaining portions into a shallow, airtight container. Why shallow? Because it cools down faster, which is safer!

This casserole keeps really nicely in the fridge for about three to four days. If you’re looking for more casserole inspiration that freezes well, I have a whole category of casserole recipes you can check out!

Now, reheating is where most people mess up. If you microwave a huge slab, it gets rubbery and the potatoes go weird. The best way to bring this back to life is in the oven! Cover your portion loosely with foil—this traps the steam and keeps the cheese and potatoes soft—and heat it at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit until it’s warmed through completely. If you’re in a huge rush, the microwave works fine, but I always add a tiny splash of milk or a pat of butter on top of the portion before heating it up just to bring back some of that original moisture.

Serving Suggestions for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

So, you’ve got this powerhouse of a casserole—it’s rich, it’s savory, it’s pure comfort. Because the Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes dish has so much going on in there—beef, starch, and tons of melty cheese—you don’t need a complicated side dish fighting for attention. In fact, the best sides are the ones that bring brightness and freshness to cut through all that delicious richness.

I always aim for something green or slightly acidic to keep the meal feeling balanced. You don’t want to get weighed down, right? Here are the super quick things I usually throw together while the casserole is resting.

My number one go-to is a simple green salad. I mean, super simple! Just some crisp romaine lettuce, maybe a few cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette. Nothing heavy like a creamy ranch. A bright, snappy vinaigrette makes everything feel lighter. You can find tons of quick ideas; I love pulling inspiration from a good healthy and fresh salads list when I need a quick idea.

Alternatively, if you’re serving this during the colder months and want something warm, steamed or lightly roasted vegetables are your best friend. Broccoli florets tossed with just a tiny bit of garlic salt, steamed green beans, or even some quick-sautéed asparagus work perfectly. They just need a little pop of color and fresh crunch next to that soft, baked casserole. Honestly, keep the sides simple, and this Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes dish will shine!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

I get so many questions on this one because everyone loves leftovers! It’s honestly one of those staple recipes where you wonder if you messed something up if you *don’t* have some left over for lunch the next day. Here are the things I hear most often about making the perfect Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes.

Can I use frozen potatoes instead of fresh potatoes in this Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes recipe?

Oh, I really, really advise against it, sweetie. Frozen potatoes already have a ton of ice crystals trapped inside them, and when you bake them in a casserole like this, they release all that extra water. It just turns your beautiful beef mixture into soup! If you absolutely have no other choice, you should try to thaw them fully first and pat them completely dry with paper towels before slicing them, but honestly, taking the extra five minutes to peel and slice fresh potatoes is what makes this dish shine.

How can I make this Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes recipe spicier?

That’s a great idea, especially if you like that little bit of heat to cut through the richness of the cheese and soup! While the beef is browning, toss in about a half teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. If you want to sneak in some heat without adding extra texture, a few dashes of your favorite liquid hot sauce right into the soup/beef mix works wonders. It blends right in but gives you that nice little kick!

What kind of ground meat works best for Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes?

Ground beef is definitely the classic choice because it has that wonderful texture and fat content that keeps the whole casserole moist. I usually stick with 80/20. That said, if you’re out of beef, you can absolutely substitute ground turkey or even ground sausage! If you use sausage, you might want to cut back on the added salt because sausage is usually seasoned well already. For more reliable weeknight dinners just like this one, always check out my full list of easy dinner recipes!

Reader Feedback and Next Steps

Now that you’ve got the secret recipe for the most comforting Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes casserole ever assembled, I really, truly want to hear from you! Did you try my tip about the Worcestershire sauce? How did it turn out for your family dinner tonight?

Baking is so much more fun when we can share the results! Please, if you made this, scroll down right now and leave a star rating—it helps other folks know this recipe is reliable. And if you have any questions, specific substitutions you made, or maybe even a side dish you discovered that pairs perfectly, drop a comment below in the box! I read every single thing that comes through, so don’t be shy.

If you want to connect about anything else recipe-wise, or maybe share a picture of your finished casserole, you can always reach out through my contact page. Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to see what you whip up!

Cheesy Ground Beef Potatoes

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 75 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Low Lactose

Print Recipe

Description

A simple casserole combining ground beef, potatoes, and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
In a large bowl, mix the cooked beef and onion with the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the prepared baking dish.
Spread half of the beef mixture over the potatoes.
Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef layer.
Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, beef mixture, and cheese.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom soup.
You can substitute Russet potatoes for other firm varieties.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 60 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 750
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Unsaturated Fat: 14
Trans Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 2
Protein: 28
Cholesterol: 90

Keywords: cheesy ground beef potatoes, beef casserole, potato bake, ground beef recipe, easy dinner