Cheesy Beefy Au Gratin Casserole
Delight your family with this comforting and easy-to-make Cheesy Beefy Au Gratin Casserole! Packed with flavorful layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy potatoes, and gooey cheddar cheese, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Simply prep it, pop it in the oven, and return to your chores while it bakes to perfection. Serve it alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal that everyone will love!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 lb (browned in vegetable oil)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for browning beef)
seasoning salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
o'brien frozen potatoes
24 ounces (thawed)
medium onion
1 (chopped)
cheddar cheese
1.5 cups (shredded, divided)
cream of mushroom soup
10 ounces (canned)
sour cream
1/4 cup (none)
milk
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned, ensuring it's broken apart as it cooks. Once fully cooked, remove it from heat and season with seasoning salt to taste.
3
In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, evenly spread the thawed O'Brien potatoes as the base layer.
4
Sprinkle the chopped onion over the potatoes, followed by one cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
5
Carefully arrange the browned ground beef on top of the potato and cheese mixture.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the beef layer.
7
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes.
8
After 55 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining half cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9
Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm. ENJOY!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Beefy Au Gratin Casserole?
It is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese.
What type of beef is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of lean ground beef, which is browned before being added to the casserole.
What kind of potatoes should I use?
Use 24 ounces of frozen O'Brien potatoes for this dish.
Do the O'Brien potatoes need to be thawed?
Yes, the potatoes should be thawed before you begin assembling the casserole layers.
At what temperature should I set my oven?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the casserole need to bake?
The casserole bakes for a total of 60 minutes: 55 minutes covered and 5 minutes uncovered.
What size baking dish is required for this recipe?
A standard 9 x 13-inch baking dish is recommended.
How do I season the ground beef?
Brown the beef in vegetable oil and season it with one teaspoon of seasoning salt to taste.
What is the first layer in the baking dish?
The base layer consists of the thawed O'Brien potatoes spread evenly.
When do I add the chopped onion?
The chopped onion is sprinkled directly over the potato base layer.
How much cheese is used in this recipe?
A total of 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese is used, divided into two parts.
What ingredients make up the creamy sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and milk.
When should I add the first cup of cheddar cheese?
Sprinkle one cup of cheese over the potatoes and onions before adding the beef layer.
How is the sauce applied to the casserole?
Whisk the soup, sour cream, and milk together and pour it evenly over the beef layer.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 55 minutes of baking.
When do I add the remaining half cup of cheese?
Remove the foil after 55 minutes, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake for 5 more minutes.
What should I look for to know the casserole is done?
The cheese on top should be bubbly and golden brown.
What is a good side dish to serve with this casserole?
A fresh green salad pairs perfectly with this hearty meal.
Can I use a different type of oil?
While vegetable oil is specified, you can use other high-smoke point oils like canola oil for browning the beef.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is designed to be a simple 'prep and pop in the oven' meal for busy families.
What kind of soup is used?
The recipe specifically uses one 10-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup.
How much milk is required for the sauce?
You will need one cup of milk.
Do I need to cook the onions before adding them?
No, the onions are added raw and will cook through during the baking process.
How much sour cream is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sour cream.
Can I substitute the ground beef?
While the recipe calls for beef, you could likely substitute ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
Is the seasoning salt amount flexible?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of seasoning salt to suit your personal taste preferences.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, letting it cool slightly helps the layers set and makes it easier to serve.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 9 ingredients: beef, oil, seasoning salt, potatoes, onion, cheese, soup, sour cream, and milk.
What category of food does this fall into?
It is categorized as a casserole, comfort food, and a one-dish family meal.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the layers in advance and bake it when you are ready for dinner.