Description
Hearty Beef and Potato Bake brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining rich ground beef with creamy potato layers. Melted cheese and herbs crown this satisfying meal that promises warmth and deliciousness for you at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- ¾ cup onion, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup carrots, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup frozen corn kernels
- ½ cup frozen peas
Seasonings, Dairy, and Other Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt (divided use)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon rosemary (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
- ¼ cup flour (gluten-free if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prepare potatoes by submerging in cold water, ensuring they are completely covered. Apply heat until water reaches a rolling boil, then reduce temperature and incorporate a pinch of salt.
- Cook potatoes until fork-tender, approximately 12-15 minutes. Carefully drain water and allow potatoes to release remaining moisture through steam.
- Transform potatoes into a creamy mixture by incorporating dairy elements like sour cream, milk, and butter. Integrate parmesan for depth of flavor, seasoning with salt and pepper until achieving a smooth, consistent texture.
- Warm a skillet over medium temperature, introducing ground beef along with diced carrots and onions. Cook thoroughly until meat loses its raw appearance and vegetables soften.
- Eliminate excess fatty liquid, reserving a small amount for enhanced flavor. Introduce minced garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, then dust with flour to create a robust base.
- Pour beef broth into the skillet, sprinkling thyme and rosemary for aromatic complexity. Allow mixture to simmer and thicken, developing rich flavors.
- Fold corn and peas into the meat mixture, distributing evenly throughout the sauce.
- Transfer the savory meat mixture into a baking vessel, creating an even layer as the foundation.
- Carefully spread the prepared mashed potatoes across the meat, creating a smooth, consistent topping.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the potato layer for a golden, crispy finish.
- Place in a preheated oven and bake until edges turn golden brown and the interior bubbles with intense flavor, approximately 35 minutes.
Notes
- Potato Perfection: Boil potatoes in cold water with salt to ensure even cooking and prevent mushy texture.
- Steaming Secret: Let drained potatoes steam to achieve a lighter, fluffier mashed potato topping.
- Meat Magic: Cook ground beef with vegetables to develop rich, deep flavors before adding liquid ingredients.
- Sauce Technique: Toast flour briefly to eliminate raw taste and create a thicker, more robust sauce.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle cheddar on top for a golden, crispy crust that adds extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Oven Timing: Bake until edges are brown and filling is bubbling to guarantee a deliciously melded casserole.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 313
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 546 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg