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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Potato Transformation: Whip potatoes with sour cream, milk, butter, and parmesan, seasoning with salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- 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.
- 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.
- Vegetable Integration: Fold corn and peas into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- 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