Ingredients You’ll Need
- For the Beef Layer
- 1 lb ground beef (or any ground meat you like)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 5 to 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon salt-free garlic herb seasoning (like Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon (powder or paste) + 1/2 cup water (or use 1/2 cup low sodium beef broth)
- For the Potatoes
- 2.5 lbs russet or yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 oz packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- For the Sauce
- 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup (or any cream soup you like)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- For the Topping
- 2 cups freshly grated Colby Jack cheese (or any cheese you like)
- 1 to 2 cups crispy fried onions
How to Make It
1. Get Ready: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook the Beef: Brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Drain any excess grease if needed. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring to coat everything. Stir in the garlic herb seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, and water (or beef broth). Simmer on low while you prepare the rest.
3. Prep the Potatoes: Microwave the chopped potatoes for about 8 minutes, or parboil them for about 5 minutes – you just want them slightly tender, not fully cooked. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, toss the potatoes with olive oil and the Lipton Onion Soup Mix until well coated.
4. Layer the Beef: Spread the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes in the baking dish.
5. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, and black pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole.
6. Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
7. Add Cheese and Finish: Remove the foil and top with the shredded Colby Jack cheese and crispy fried onions. Bake uncovered for 7 to 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and the onions are golden.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up and makes it easier to scoop out portions. Enjoy this cozy, cheesy goodness!
Extra Information
- Pre-cooking the potatoes (either microwaving or parboiling) ensures they’re tender by the time the casserole is done.
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix adds tons of French onion flavor to the potatoes.
- You can use any cream soup you like – cream of chicken, celery, or potato all work great.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.
- The crispy fried onions on top add a delicious crunch that makes this casserole special.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Essential Tools
- Large skillet
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Microwave or pot for parboiling
- Aluminum foil
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk