Creamy One-Pot Beef and Potato Casserole
Creamy beef and potato casserole is the kind of meal that makes a regular night special. It’s full of flavor, filling, and comforting, which is everything you want in one pan. This casserole has browned ground beef, thinly sliced potatoes, and a smooth cream sauce that makes every bite warm and satisfying. I’ve been making different versions of this cozy classic since I was a kid in Bath, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to show my family I love them. This recipe is easy, comforting, and great for busy nights. You’ll want to make it again and again.
Beginning of a classic that warms the heart
A memory of comfort food with ground beef and potatoes
I fell in love with a creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole when I was a kid in a kitchen just outside Bath. Dinner would be simple but full of flavor. A little bit of ground beef, some thinly sliced potatoes, and a big spoonful of whatever creamy soup we had in the cupboard were all she needed to make one of her best meals. There were no fancy tools or special ingredients in the food. It was just layers of good food slowly cooked in one big dish.
We would sit around the kitchen table with steaming plates and thick slices of bread with butter on them. I remember how Crumpet, our cat, would sneak into the room hoping for a nibble. Those nights taught me that you don’t have to make your meals hard to make. They just need to be made with care.
In my Toronto kitchen, I make this creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole when I want to feel that way again. It’s one of those recipes I make often, especially when I want something hearty and comforting. Depending on what’s in the fridge, I might add sweetcorn or fresh herbs, but the main idea is always the same: healthy, stress-free comfort food.
Why creamy one-pot casseroles make you feel at home
There’s something special about a meal that takes a long time to cook and fills the house with a familiar, savory smell. Not only is a creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole dinner, it’s also comfort food. When I want the kitchen to feel like a safe place, or when I want something warm to eat after a long day, I make this.
What makes it sparkle? It’s easy to make, you probably already have the ingredients, and it tastes great when you put everything together. This creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole is always a hit, whether I’m making it for guests or just for Alex and me on a quiet night.
Things you need
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 small onion, cut up
- Two cups of russet or Yukon gold potatoes cut into thin slices
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz)
- 1/2 cup of whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional for more creaminess)
- 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1/2 tsp of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- Fresh parsley to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with chopped onion until it is brown. Add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Drain excess fat.
- In a bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth.
- Put the cooked beef in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Spread thin slices of potatoes evenly over the beef.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the potatoes, spreading to cover.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Take off the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Before serving, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Add parsley as a garnish.
Cut the potatoes into thin slices (about 1/8 inch) so they cook evenly.
Use ground turkey or lentils instead for a lighter version.
You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to four days or freeze them for up to two months.
Time to get ready: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 60 minutes
Casseroles are in this category.
How to do it: baking
Food: American
Food
One serving size is one portion.
- 480 calories
- 3g of sugar
- 740mg of sodium
- 32 grams of fat
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- 14g of unsaturated fat
- 0.5g of trans fat
- 24 grams of carbs
- 3g of fiber
- 22 grams of protein
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
The Parts That Make Up the Creamy One-Pot Beef and Potato Casserole
Layering method for cooking food evenly
How you layer the creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole is one of the keys to making it work. You want every bite to be smooth, balanced, and cooked perfectly. Put your ground beef in a big, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven and brown it first. Make sure to season it well; a little salt, pepper, and paprika go a long way. When the beef is done cooking and the juices have come out, drain off the extra fat but leave a little bit for flavor.
Next, make sure the beef is spread out evenly. Add thinly sliced russet or Yukon gold potatoes on top. Layer them tightly so they soften and soak up all the tasty goodness while they bake. This method makes sure that the potatoes cook evenly and don’t have any raw or soggy spots.
Important creamy sauce ingredients that make it so good
The sauce is where the real magic happens. I usually mix condensed cream of mushroom soup with a lot of whole milk or heavy cream to make a rich, smooth base. Adding a spoonful of sour cream or cream cheese gives it more flavor and depth. Then I add shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack to the mix to make it melt and turn golden.
You can also change the flavors by adding a little thyme, garlic powder, or Dijon mustard. This creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole is great because you can change it up. The creamy layer ties everything together, whether you stick to the basics or get creative.
Beef and Potato Casserole in a Creamy One Pot
You Will Love These Cooking Tips and Changes
Can you make potatoes and ground beef at the same time?
Yes, and that’s one of the reasons I love making a creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole on busy nights. The most important thing is to get ready. Start by browning the ground beef to give it a rich, savory flavor. Then, put thin, raw potato slices right on top. The meat’s juices and the creamy sauce steam the potatoes as the dish bakes, making them soft and bringing everything together into one tasty bite.
Cut your potatoes into slices that are about 1/8 inch thick so that they cook at the same rate. This makes sure that the creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole cooks evenly, with no raw edges or uneven textures. Want some crispness that’s golden? Bake the dish uncovered for the last 10 minutes to get a golden, bubbly finish.
Creative changes (like John Wayne, Tex-Mex, and veggie swaps)
Another reason this creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole stays in heavy rotation is its flexibility. Want a Tex-Mex feel? Add taco seasoning to the beef, then mix in salsa and beans. Finally, top with shredded pepper jack. That creamy base still holds everything together while giving it a strong southwestern flavor.
Do you know what a John Wayne casserole is? My version is a nod to that classic: beefy layers, rich creaminess, but instead of a biscuit crust, I use seasoned potatoes to keep it simple. It’s the best of both worlds: simple and very satisfying.
Are you going without meat? Instead of beef, use lentils or a plant-based crumble. This vegetarian version still tastes just like a classic creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole because the sauce is smooth and the potatoes melt in your mouth. It’s one of my favorite things to make when I have to feed both meat-eaters and vegetarians.
Bake, Serve, and Make It Yours
Baking tips for potatoes and beef that are sure to work
It’s time to get the perfect bake once you’ve put together your creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes to allow the potatoes to steam and soften. After that, take off the foil and bake for another 15 minutes so that the top gets golden brown and a little bit crispy.
If a fork goes through the potatoes easily in the middle of the casserole, it’s done. Let it sit for a few minutes after baking. This will help it stay together when you cut it. This helps everything stay in place and makes it easier to cut.
Ideas for serving and tips for storing and freezing
Serve your creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole right from the dish with a salad, roasted broccoli, or a warm roll on the side. It’s a full meal on its own, but the extras make it just right.
Do you have any food left over? They heat up really well. You can keep the casserole in the fridge, covered, for up to four days. You can freeze it for up to two months if you put it in airtight containers. When you’re ready to eat it again, put it in the oven or microwave until it’s hot. If it needs more moisture, add a splash of milk.
A hearty serving of creamy beef and potato casserole ready to enjoy
This creamy beef and potato casserole is a regular part of my weekly menu for a good reason. It’s rich, warm, and completely satisfying without being too much. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, whether you stick with the classic version or add your own Tex-Mex flavors, extra veggies, or a meatless twist.
This is the best place to start if you’ve never made a casserole before. If you already like this recipe, I hope it gives you something new to love. I bet that after you try it once, it will become one of your favorite comfort foods, just like it is in my kitchen.
Questions that come up a lot
Can you cook ground beef and potatoes at the same time?
Yes, and it works great in this creamy casserole with beef and potatoes. The most important thing is to brown the beef first and then add the raw potatoes. The beef juices and creamy sauce in the dish help steam the potatoes until they are just right.
What makes it a John Wayne casserole?
The name of this dish comes from actor John Wayne, who made it famous in a cookbook for a good cause. The classic version has a lot of cheese, ground beef, biscuits, and sour cream. This dish is based on that layered style, but instead of a crust, it uses hearty potatoes and focuses on rich, creamy comfort.
Is it possible to bake meat and potatoes at the same time?
Yes, for sure. If you cook the meat ahead of time and cut the potatoes into thin slices, they will bake perfectly in the same dish. That’s one of the reasons why a creamy one-pot beef and potato casserole is such a smart and easy meal.
What are the five parts of a casserole?
Five main parts make up a classic casserole: a protein (like beef), a starch (like potatoes or pasta), a vegetable (optional), a binder (like a creamy sauce), and a topping (like cheese or breadcrumbs). This creamy beef and potato casserole has everything: rich beef, soft potatoes, a tasty sauce, and a cheesy top.