Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced onion (about ½ a large onion)
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
Other Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup fried onions
Instructions
- Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish with pan spray to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until no pink remains, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. Stir in the salt and pepper for seasoning.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the beef and cook for a few minutes until the onion is translucent and soft. Drain off any excess fat and turn off the heat.
- Slice Potatoes: Peel the russet potatoes and slice them thinly. Place the slices into a large bowl of cold water to prevent browning and remove some starch.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup until smooth and combined.
- Layer Ingredients: Drain the potato slices and pat dry with clean paper towels. Layer half of the potatoes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer Meat and Sauce: Spread half of the meat mixture over the potatoes, then pour half of the soup mixture on top, followed by 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining potatoes, meat, sauce, and cheese layers.
- Top and Cover: Sprinkle the fried onions evenly on top of the final layer. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in during baking.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 75-80 minutes at 350 degrees F until the potatoes are tender and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the foil and broil under high heat for 1-2 minutes until the fried onions are golden brown.
- Rest: Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the potatoes to absorb residual liquid and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, brown the ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat well before adding vegetables.
- Soaking the potato slices in cold water helps prevent them from sticking together and reduces excess starch.
- Use a sharp knife or mandoline for thin potato slices to ensure even cooking.
- Broiling at the end gives a nice crispy top, so watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American