Description
This hearty Mashed Potato Casserole combines creamy mashed potatoes with seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a comforting family meal, this dish layers savory beef and cheesy toppings with fluffy potatoes for maximum flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes & Dairy
- 1.75 kg (3.5 lb) potatoes, peeled and cut into 3 cm (1″) chunks
- 1 tbsp cooking/kosher salt (for boiling potatoes)
- â…” cup milk
- 75 g (5 tbsp) butter
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Meat & Seasonings
- 500 g (1.1 lb) ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 200 g (6 oz) bacon, chopped
Garnish
- ¼ cup green onion, finely sliced
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with water about 10 cm (4″) above the potatoes. Add 1 tbsp salt, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a rapid simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are very soft. Drain well and return the potatoes to the pot. Let sit for 1 minute, shaking occasionally to help evaporate excess water.
- Cook the ground beef: While the potatoes boil, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, salt, paprika, black pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mash the potatoes: Add milk, butter, and sour cream to the drained potatoes. Mash well until smooth and creamy, avoiding use of food processors or blenders to prevent gluey texture.
- Assemble the casserole: Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F (180°C fan). In a 2-liter (2-quart) baking dish, spread half the mashed potatoes evenly. Layer with cooked ground beef. Top with remaining mashed potatoes, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped bacon.
- Bake the casserole: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle sliced green onions over the top. Allow casserole to cool slightly for a few minutes before serving warm. The cheese layer helps keep it warm for about 20 minutes.
Notes
- Do not use food processors or blenders when mashing potatoes to avoid a gummy texture.
- Covering the casserole with foil prevents cheese from burning during the first part of baking.
- Letting the casserole rest a few minutes after baking lets flavors meld and makes serving easier.
- Feel free to adjust seasoning of ground beef to taste or swap cheddar for your preferred cheese.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
