Hearty Savory Beef and Potato Bake Recipe: Comfort in a Dish

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this hearty beef and potato bake that promises pure culinary bliss.

Layers of tender ground beef mingle with creamy potatoes in a dish that speaks directly to your soul.

Robust seasonings dance through each bite, creating a symphony of flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Weeknight dinners rarely get more satisfying than this simple yet incredibly delicious casserole.

The kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the table, eager to dig in.

Packed with protein and rich textures, this meal turns an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

One forkful, and you’ll understand why this beef and potato bake has become a true crowd-pleaser.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 7

Savory Beef & Potato Bake Ingredient Rundown

• Potatoes: Creamy foundation that provides hearty texture and comforting flavor, select firm, starchy varieties like Russet for best mashing results.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and smooth consistency to potato layer, choose full-fat version for maximum flavor.
• Milk: Helps create silky mashed potato texture, whole milk offers best creaminess.
• Butter: Enriches potato mixture with luxurious depth, use unsalted for precise seasoning control.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings nutty, salty undertone to potato topping, opt for freshly grated for most vibrant taste.

• Ground Beef: Protein-packed core of the dish, select lean variety for balanced richness.
• Carrots: Adds sweet earthiness and nutritional boost, choose crisp, bright orange specimens.
• Onion: Provides aromatic base and depth of flavor, fresh yellow onions work best.
• Garlic: Intensifies savory profile with bold, pungent notes, fresh cloves preferred over pre-minced.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates umami flavor and thickens sauce, look for rich, deep red paste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex, tangy undertone, traditional version recommended.
• Beef Broth: Creates liquid base with robust meaty essence, low-sodium allows better seasoning control.

• Thyme, Rosemary: Introduces herbaceous Mediterranean complexity, fresh herbs provide most vibrant flavor.
• Corn, Peas: Contribute sweet bursts and colorful nutrition, frozen vegetables work perfectly.

Tools to Make This a One-Dish Dinner Hero

• Large pot: Essential for boiling and steaming potatoes.
• Colander: Needed to drain potatoes thoroughly.
• Potato masher: Perfect for creating smooth, creamy mashed potatoes.
• Skillet: Key for browning ground beef and cooking vegetables.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring beef mixture and preventing sticking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Oven-safe baking dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Cheese grater: Useful for preparing fresh cheddar cheese topping.

How to Make Beef & Potato Casserole to Hearty Perfection

• Potato Preparation

Boil diced potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and steam briefly to create fluffy texture.

• Creamy Potato Mash

Blend sour cream, milk, butter, and parmesan into potatoes. Mix until smooth and seasoned perfectly.

• Beef Base Creation

Brown ground beef with carrots and onions in a skillet. Drain excess fat while keeping some for flavor.

• Sauce Development

Add garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce to meat. Sprinkle flour and cook briefly to develop rich depths.

• Liquid Integration

Pour beef broth into skillet. Introduce thyme and rosemary. Simmer until sauce thickens and becomes luxurious.

• Vegetable Incorporation

Gently fold corn and peas into meat mixture. Transfer to baking dish.

• Potato Topping

Spread creamy mashed potatoes evenly over meat base. Generously scatter cheddar cheese on top.

• Final Baking

Bake in preheated oven until edges turn golden and filling bubbles with delicious promise.

Tips for Extra Creaminess or Crunchy Tops

• Potato Power Hacks: Boil potatoes slightly firmer to prevent mushy texture when mashing and baking.
• Meat Moisture Magic: Use lean ground beef (85/15) for rich flavor without excessive grease, ensuring a perfect meat layer.
• Veggie Flexibility Boost: Swap corn and peas with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans for vibrant color and nutrition.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Experiment with different cheese blends like gruyère, monterey jack, or smoked gouda to elevate the dish's depth and richness.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for 1-2 days. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 extra minutes to cooking time.

Serve with Bread, Salad, or Just a Fork

• Hearty Family Dinner Delight: Serve this comforting beef and potato bake as a complete meal that will satisfy hungry loved ones after a long day.
• Rustic Potluck Centerpiece: Bring this dish to gatherings where everyone appreciates a warm, filling casserole that's packed with flavor and guaranteed to impress.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare extra portions and store in individual containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week, perfect for work or school.
• Cozy Winter Comfort: Pair with a crisp green salad and crusty bread to create a wholesome dinner that warms you from the inside out during chilly evenings.

Store Beef Bakes for Easy Weekday Leftovers

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare this hearty beef and potato bake on weekends to enjoy quick, delicious meals throughout the week. Simply portion into individual containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap the unbaked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
• Reheating Magic: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Leftover Love: Transform remaining casserole into a next-day lunch by topping with a crisp green salad or serving alongside roasted vegetables for a completely new meal experience.

Hearty Beef and Potato Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beef and potato bake delivers comfort from grandma’s kitchen in rural Poland. Layered ingredients meld into a rich, satisfying casserole that warms souls and connects generations.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb ground beef
• 2.5 cups beef broth
• 2.5 lbs 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
• 2.75 tsps salt (divided use)
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp thyme (or ¼ tsp dried)
• 1 tsp rosemary (or ¼ tsp dried)
• ¼ cup flour (gluten-free if preferred)
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup milk
• 4 tbsps butter
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ cup cheddar cheese for topping

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Submerge potatoes in cold water, bring to a rolling boil with a pinch of salt, then reduce heat and cook until fork-tender. Drain and allow steam to evaporate.
2. Potato Transformation: Whip potatoes with sour cream, milk, butter, and parmesan, seasoning with salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
3. Meat Mixture Foundation: Sauté ground beef with carrots and onions in a skillet over medium heat until meat browns and vegetables soften. Drain excess fat, reserving a small amount for flavor.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Dust with flour to create a robust base, then pour beef broth and sprinkle thyme and rosemary. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
5. Vegetable Integration: Fold corn and peas into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
6. Assembly and Baking: Transfer meat mixture to a baking dish, spread mashed potatoes evenly on top, and crown with a layer of cheddar cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F until edges turn golden brown and center bubbles, approximately 35 minutes.

Notes

• Potato Perfection: Soak potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch, ensuring a smoother, creamier mashed potato topping.
• Meat Moisture Management: Drain excess fat from ground beef, but keep a small amount for enhanced flavor depth.
• Seasoning Strategy: Layer herbs and spices gradually to build complex, rich flavor profiles throughout the dish.
• Baking Brilliance: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg