One of my go-to comfort meals is this easy potato casserole! It’s a hearty dish filled with savory beef, tender potatoes, and melted cheese. Perfect for family dinners, this recipe combines all the delicious flavors everyone loves in one big dish. It’s simple to make and can easily feed a crowd. Plus, the best part is that it’s made in one pot, so cleanup is a breeze!
Method
Prepare the Potatoes
First, I start by preparing the potatoes, which are the base of this comforting casserole. I take the cubed potatoes and place them in a mixing bowl. To the potatoes, I add smoked paprika, garlic granules, oregano, and a sprinkle of salt. The spices not only add flavor but also a lovely color to the potatoes. After mixing everything well to ensure each cube is coated with the seasonings, I transfer the potatoes to my air fryer or oven. I set the temperature to 200°C (about 400°F) and let them cook for about 20-25 minutes until they’re nice and crispy. The aroma of the roasting potatoes fills the kitchen, making me even more excited for this dish!
Cook the Beef
While the potatoes are cooking, I focus on preparing the beef mixture. I heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the diced red onion. I sauté the onion until it becomes soft and translucent, which takes about 3-5 minutes. Once the onion is ready, I toss in the crushed garlic and the beef mince. I give it a good stir, breaking up the mince as it cooks. I also sprinkle in some salt and pepper to season the beef. As the beef browns, it releases its juices and mixes beautifully with the onions and garlic, creating a savory base for the casserole.
Combine Ingredients
Once the beef is browned and cooked through, I add in the sliced gherkins, chopped cherry tomatoes, and the passata. I stir everything together well, allowing the flavors to meld. The passata adds a lovely sauce-like consistency to the mixture. I then layer the cheesy slices on top of the beef mixture, allowing them to melt down into the mixture as it cooks. This creates a creamy, cheesy base that enhances the overall flavor of the casserole.
Combine Potatoes and Beef
As the sauce thickens, I take the cooked, crispy potatoes out of the air fryer and gently fold them into the beef mixture. It’s important to mix everything carefully to ensure the potatoes are well coated with the delicious sauce. I then top the entire dish with a generous sprinkle of reduced-fat cheddar cheese. To finish, I cover the pan with a lid to let everything bubble together until the cheese melts and turns golden and gooey, which takes about 10-15 minutes on low heat.
Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is cooked and the cheese is bubbling, I carefully remove the lid, taking care not to burn myself with the steam. I serve the casserole hot, garnishing it with fresh herbs if desired. This dish is best enjoyed warm, with each bite offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors from the crispy potatoes, savory beef, and melted cheese.
Easy Potato Casserole
Equipment
- Air fryer or oven
- Frying pan
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking dish with a lid
Ingredients
- For the Potatoes:
- 700 g potatoes cubed
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- 60 g reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- For the Beef:
- 500 g 5% beef mince
- 1 diced red onion
- Crushed garlic cloves to taste
- Sliced gherkins as desired
- 4 cheesy slices
- 1/2 tub of passata
- Worcestershire sauce to taste
- A handful of chopped cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- First, I start by preparing the potatoes. I mix the cubed potatoes with smoked paprika, garlic granules, oregano, and a sprinkle of salt in a bowl. Then, I pop them in the air fryer or oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes until they’re nice and crispy.
- While the potatoes are cooking, I heat a frying pan over medium heat. I add the diced red onion and fry it until it becomes soft and translucent. Next, I toss in the crushed garlic and beef mince, giving it a good stir. I sprinkle in some salt and pepper to season the beef.
- Once the mince is browned, I add the sliced gherkins, chopped cherry tomatoes, and passata to the pan. I mix everything well and then layer the cheesy slices on top, letting them melt down into the mixture.
- As the sauce thickens, I add the cooked potatoes to the beef mixture and stir everything together. Then, I top it all with a little more cheese and cover the pan with a lid to let it bubble until golden and gooey.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
This easy potato casserole is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. It’s great for leftovers, too!
Fun Fact
Did you know that the potato is a member of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes and eggplants? Potatoes were first cultivated by the Incas in Peru over 7,000 years ago!
Conclusion
This easy potato casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. With its layers of beef, potatoes, and cheese, it’s a meal that’s perfect for sharing. I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy making it as much as I do!