A heartwarming dish that layers savory ground beef with creamy potatoes, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 lb ground beef
4 cups of thinly sliced potatoes (about 4 medium-sized potatoes)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
1 cup crushed crackers (such as Ritz or saltines)
1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your casserole will bake evenly and reach the perfect temperature for serving.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. As it cooks, break it apart with a spatula. Drain any excess grease before adding the chopped onion.
Add Seasoning: Stir in the garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika (if using), cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
Layer the Casserole: In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes at the bottom. Spread half of the ground beef mixture over the potatoes. Pour half of the cream of mushroom soup over the ground beef, and sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, beef mixture, soup, and cheese.
Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole for a crunchy finish.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After this, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to cut portions.
