Description
Turn a bag of frozen potatoes and a pound of ground beef into the ultimate cozy weeknight dinner with this Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole made with frozen potatoes. Tender potato cubes are baked with savory seasoned beef in a creamy mushroom and sour cream sauce, then blanketed in melted cheddar for a bubbly, golden topping. It’s an easy recipe that feels like classic comfort food while still being simple enough for busy weeknights, perfect for quick dinner ideas, family-friendly meals, and satisfying food ideas when you need a hearty, one-pan main dish on the table fast. Whether you’re hunting for easy dinner inspiration, a make-ahead option, or a reliable crowd-pleasing casserole, this dish checks every box.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
1 cup diced yellow onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
3 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup beef broth
1 can 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided
1 bag 32 ounces frozen diced potatoes or potatoes O’Brien
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F 175°C and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin coat of butter.
2. Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and season with half of the salt, half of the black pepper, and the paprika. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and lightly browned.
3. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, just until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
5. Pour in the beef broth and use your spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
6. Reduce the heat to medium and add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, remaining salt, and remaining black pepper. Stir until everything is well combined and the sauce is smooth.
7. Let the mixture bubble gently for 2–3 minutes, then stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts into the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.
8. Place the frozen diced potatoes into a large mixing bowl. There is no need to thaw them first.
9. Pour the hot beef and sauce mixture over the potatoes and gently fold everything together until the potatoes are evenly coated.
10. Spread the casserole mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top into an even layer.
11. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
12. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, the edges are golden brown, and the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
13. If you’d like a deeper golden top, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end of the baking time, watching closely so the cheese does not burn.
14. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
15. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired, then scoop into bowls or onto plates and serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor and color, use frozen potatoes O’Brien with peppers and onions and add a pinch of smoked paprika on top before baking.
If reheating leftovers, stir in a splash of milk or beef broth before warming to keep the casserole creamy and prevent the potatoes from drying out.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 105
Keywords: cheesy ground beef casserole, frozen potatoes, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food casserole, quick dinner ideas