Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baked Potato and Beef Lasagna?
It is a comforting twist on traditional lasagna that layers thinly sliced russet potatoes with a savory ground beef mixture, aromatic garlic, and onion, smothered in a creamy cheese sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan.
What type of potatoes should I use for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 to 3 russet potatoes, which should be peeled and thinly sliced.
What tool is recommended for slicing the potatoes?
A mandolin is recommended to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly to create the scalloped layers.
What size baking pan do I need?
You should use a greased 9x9 inch baking pan for this recipe.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How is the ground beef prepared?
Sautรฉ chopped garlic and onion in a heated skillet with oil until tender, then add the ground beef and cook until browned, seasoning with salt and black pepper.
How do I make the creamy cheese sauce?
Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour until bubbly, slowly pour in milk while whisking until smooth, and then stir in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese until melted.
How is the lasagna layered?
The layers consist of sliced potatoes, followed by the meat mixture, then the creamy cheese sauce, and finally shredded mozzarella cheese. This process is repeated twice.
What is the final topping before baking?
The final layer is topped with the remaining shredded parmesan cheese and a drizzle of heavy cream over the entire dish.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake covered with aluminum foil for 1 hour, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
What is the garnish for this dish?
Sprinkle the lasagna with chopped chives before serving.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe requires 3/4 lb of ground beef.
How much mozzarella cheese is used?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
How is the parmesan cheese divided in the recipe?
A total of 3/4 cup is used: 1/4 cup is mixed into the creamy sauce, and 1/2 cup is used for the top garnish.
How much heavy cream is drizzled over the top?
The recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of heavy cream to be drizzled over the dish before baking.
How much milk is needed for the sauce?
You will need 1 cup of milk for the creamy butter-cheese mixture.
What aromatics are used in the beef mixture?
The beef is flavored with 2 chopped garlic cloves and 1/2 of a chopped onion.
What are the suggested tags for this recipe?
Tags include potatoes, lasagna, ground beef, casserole, comfort food, creamy, baked dish, family meal, and cheese.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe uses 2 chopped garlic cloves.
What are the seasoning measurements?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is the beef cooked before layering?
Yes, the ground beef should be cooked in a skillet with the aromatics until browned before being added to the pan.
How much butter and flour are used for the roux?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 2 tablespoons of flour.
What should the top of the lasagna look like when finished?
The top should be golden and bubbly after the final 25 minutes of baking without foil.
How much chives are used for the garnish?
The recipe suggests 2 teaspoons of chopped chives.
Does the recipe contain pasta?
No, this version of lasagna replaces traditional pasta sheets with thinly sliced russet potatoes.
Is the dish served immediately?
The recipe recommends allowing the dish to cool for a few minutes after baking before sprinkling with chives and serving.
Can I use any type of onion?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a chopped onion; typically yellow or white onions work best for sautรฉing with beef.
What makes this dish a 'comfort food'?
The combination of potatoes, seasoned beef, and two types of cheese in a creamy sauce makes it a rich and satisfying meal.
Is the potato skin left on or removed?
The russet potatoes should be peeled before they are sliced.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is described as a hearty dish perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners.