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Cheesy Beef Potato Bake

Featured in Simple Beef Recipes That Work.

This dish layers Yukon gold potatoes and seasoned beef, drenching them in creamy mushroom sauce and ooey-gooey Colby Jack cheese. The top gets golden and crispy in the oven, while the potatoes become irresistibly tender, soaking up all those savory flavors. It’s sure to warm hearts and leave plates clean with its rich, comforting flavors that hit all the right notes.
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Emily Watson
Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:53:54 GMT
A bubbly baked dish filled with golden potatoes, ground beef, and melted cheese. Pin it
A bubbly baked dish filled with golden potatoes, ground beef, and melted cheese. | thefamilycooks.com

This Ground Beef and Potato Bake packs a punch with its combo of soft Yukon golds, flavorful ground beef, and gooey Colby Jack cheese. It's real stick-to-your-ribs food that's great for family meals or get-togethers. The mix of creamy mushroom sauce and layers of cheese makes this an easy dish that'll wow everyone who tries it!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2.5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes: Gives the dish its soft, buttery base.
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef: Makes the casserole filling and packed with protein.
  • 1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion: Brings natural sweetness and flavor depth.
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Adds that can't-miss taste kick.
  • 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup: Works as the creamy glue that pulls everything together.
  • 1 cup half and half: Creates that smooth, luxurious sauce feel.
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder: Amps up the beefy flavor profile.
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt: Brings out all the tasty bits in each layer.
  • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper: Gives a bit of zing to balance the richness.
  • 3 cups freshly shredded Colby jack cheese (divided): Creates those irresistible stretchy cheese pulls.

VARIATIONS

  • Extra Cheese Options: Try mixing in some sharp Cheddar or creamy Monterey Jack with the Colby for more flavor depth.
  • Add More Veggies: Toss in some cooked mushrooms, wilted spinach, or chopped bell peppers between layers for added nutrition.
  • Lighter Version: Swap out beef for ground turkey or chicken if you want something not as heavy.
  • Heat It Up: Sprinkle in some cayenne or top with sliced jalapeños before baking if you like things spicy.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:
Cut Yukon gold potatoes into thin ⅛-inch slices. Soak them in water to keep them from turning brown while you work on everything else.
Step 2:
Get your oven warming to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and put it aside.
Step 3:
Cook the ground beef in a big pot over medium-high heat with the diced onions and garlic. Keep breaking up the meat while it cooks. When it's brown, drain off the extra fat.
Step 4:
Mix the mushroom soup, half and half, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl until it's smooth. Set this sauce aside.
Step 5:
Drain your potato slices and start building your casserole. First, lay down ⅓ of the potatoes on the bottom of your dish.
Step 6:
Put ⅓ of your cooked beef mix on the potatoes, then sprinkle ¾ cup of the Colby Jack on top. Pour ⅓ of your soup mixture over this.
Step 7:
Do this same layering two more times, making sure to save 1½ cups of cheese for the very top layer.
Step 8:
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Then take the foil off and cook another 20 minutes until the cheese gets golden and bubbly.
Step 9:
Let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving since it'll be super hot inside. Then dig into this cheesy comfort meal with your family!

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Dish this up as your main meal alongside a simple green salad or some steamed veggies for a well-rounded dinner.
  • Got some left? Put it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm it up in your microwave or oven when you want a quick meal.
  • Want to prep ahead? You can put the whole thing together, cover it with foil, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also freeze it uncooked for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before you bake it.

Tips from well-known chefs

  • Chef Bobby Flay: "Don't forget to add a little extra salt and pepper between each layer so every bite tastes amazing."
  • Chef Ina Garten: "Yukon gold potatoes give you that buttery smoothness that goes so well with the rich beef and cheese flavors."
  • Chef Rachael Ray: "Want a little crunch? Throw some seasoned breadcrumbs on top during the last 10 minutes of baking time."

Cheesy Beef Potato Bake

Tender potatoes, seasoned meat, and gooey cheese meet in this comforting bake that's creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
90 Minutes
Total Time
115 Minutes

Category: Beef

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 7 Servings (1 casserole)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 About 2 pounds of lean ground beef.
02 Roughly 8 to 9 Yukon gold potatoes, cleaned (2.5 pounds).
03 One cup of sweet yellow onion, chopped super fine.
04 A tablespoon of chopped garlic.
05 10.5 ounces of mushroom soup (choose any brand, like Great Value).
06 A cup of half-and-half.
07 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper.
08 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt.
09 A tablespoon of onion powder.
10 Three cups of Colby jack cheese, shredded and divided (¾ cup + ¾ cup + 1½ cups).

Instructions

Step 01

Slice the potatoes into thin, ⅛-inch rounds. Keep them in water so they don't turn brown while you prep other parts of the dish.

Step 02

Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9x13 dish with a nonstick spray.

Step 03

Over medium-high heat in a large pot or pan, cook the ground beef, onions, and garlic. Stir and break it into crumbles as it cooks. Strain off extra grease.

Step 04

In a mixing bowl, combine the mushroom soup, half-and-half, onion powder, salt, and pepper using a whisk.

Step 05

Pour the water out from the potato bowl. Put a third of the sliced potatoes into the baking dish, followed by a third of the ground beef, ¾ cup of shredded cheese, then a third of the sauce.

Step 06

Repeat the layering two more times and finish it off with 1½ cups of cheese on top.

Step 07

Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 08

Let the casserole cool off for 15 minutes before digging in—it'll be hot!

Notes

  1. This is a satisfying dish packed with layers of potatoes, beef, gooey cheese, and a rich creamy sauce. Great for family meals or sharing with others.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot or Dutch oven.
  • Mixing bowl (medium size).
  • Baking dish (9x13).
  • Foil for covering.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 28 g