Easy Ground Beef Potato Bake Recipe
This Easy Ground Beef Potato Bake is a comforting and hearty slow cooker dish featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, and a creamy mushroom sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, it requires minimal prep and results in a deliciously satisfying meal with savory flavors and a creamy texture.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 5 large potatoes, peeled and chunked
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Topping and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Brown the Meat and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef along with the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper until the beef is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Drain off any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Prepare the Cream Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, black pepper, and paprika until smooth and well combined, creating a flavorful creamy sauce.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place half of the chunked potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add half of the browned meat and vegetable mixture on top, followed by half of the cream sauce mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, meat mixture, and cream sauce to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully together.
- Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover and cook for an additional 20 minutes on low until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top for a touch of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of celery or cream of chicken soup for variation.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture.
- If you prefer a spicier version, include a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder when mixing the sauce.
- Use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes for best results as they hold their shape well when slow-cooked.
- To make this meal gluten-free, ensure the cream of mushroom soup used is labeled gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of the recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: ground beef bake, slow cooker potato casserole, easy beef dinner, creamy potato bake, comfort food, one-pot meal