Italian Beef and Potato Casserole

Get ready for comfort food at its finest with this hearty Italian Beef and Potato Casserole! Layered with tender slices of russet potatoes, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, onions, and classic Italian herbs, this baked casserole is topped with bubbling mozzarella and parmesan cheese for the ultimate cheesy indulgence. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, this one-pan dish is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare, featuring budget-friendly ingredients and minimal prep time. Serve it fresh from the oven with a crisp side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Whether you're looking for an easy comfort food recipe or a flavorful addition to your dinner rotation, this casserole delivers bold Italian flavors in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 medium russet potatoes
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 2

Peel the russet potatoes and slice them into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Set them aside in a bowl of cold water to prevent browning.

Step 3

Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside. Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the onions until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 8

Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and mix well. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 9

Drain the sliced potatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 10

In the prepared casserole dish, layer half of the potato slices in an even layer. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 11

Spread half of the beef mixture evenly over the potato layer, followed by 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 12

Repeat the layers with the remaining potatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper, the rest of the beef mixture, and the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Step 13

Sprinkle the parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.

Step 14

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 15

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

Step 16

Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2007.1 grams (2007.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3005

Total Fat 172.40g	221%
Saturated Fat 73.90g	370%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 526mg	175%
Sodium 5095mg	222%
Total Carbohydrate 196.90g	72%
Dietary Fiber 23.90g	85%
Total Sugars 26.90g
Protein 167.40g	335%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2443mg	188%
Iron 20mg	110%
Potassium 6280mg	134%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.6%

Protein: 22.3%

Carbs: 26.2%