Home-Schooling Family Casserole

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-30 · Updated 2026-03-30

A hearty, one-dish meal featuring layers of creamy potatoes, savory meat, and golden vegetables—perfect for family meals. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs pork shoulder, potatoes, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, cubed pork shoulder
• 2 lbs, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 2, sliced carrots
• 1 large, diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup, grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large pot, cook pork shoulder over medium heat until browned on all sides; set aside.
3. Step 3: Add potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
4. Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and cooked pork; simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with grated cheddar and butter.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.