hamburger-potato-cheese-casserole
- 5 large russet potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1/4-1/2 inch thick
- 2 -3 tablespoons chopped onions
- 1 lb ground beef ( really lean is preferable)
- salt and pepper
- Cheese sauce (the same one I use for macaroni and cheese)
- 2 cups milk ( I use skim)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ketchup ( optional condiment)
How to Make It
- I use a 2 1/2 quart covered casserole dish for this. This will stick unless you have a great non-stick baking dish.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Brown hamburger and onion.
- Place a layer of sliced potatoes in casserole dish, top with half of hamburger/onion mixture. Salt and pepper to taste (kind of depends on how salty your cheese sauce is - you can always salt it later if it needs it).
- Repeat layering of potato slices and hamburger mixture (and salt and pepper if desired).
- Make Cheese sauce:.
- Melt 3 T butter in saucepan over med-high heat.
- Add 3 T flour, and the salt and pepper. Stir quickly to blend.
- Add 2 cups milk; stir with whisk to incorporate butter/flour mixture.
- Reduce heat, stir till thickened and bubbly.
- Remove from heat and add shredded cheddar. Stir until cheese melts.
- Pour cheese sauce over hamburger and potatoes in baking dish. Push potatoes around to let cheese sauce into all of the crevices so it's well coated.
- Cover and place in oven. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, till potatoes are tender and top is browned. I like to take off the lid for the last 20 minutes or so to brown the top a bit.
- Even with the leanest ground beef, this can get little pools of grease on top - I just spoon these off. It doesn't mean the whole thing is greasy - just cheesy.
- My family members consider generous amounts of ketchup a necessary addition to this dish. I like it fine by itself (ok, maybe a spot of ketchup on the side).
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