North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole
A hearty, one-pot casserole featuring tender potatoes and savory ground beef in a creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection — a true taste of the Midwest. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, large, peeled and diced russet potatoes, large, finely diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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 lb ground beef
- 3 large, peeled and diced russet potatoes
- 1 large, finely diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon (5-7 minutes), then drain excess fat. Add 1 large yellow onion, finely diced, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in 1 cup beef broth and 1/2 cup whole milk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (3-4 minutes).
- Step 3: Add 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes, along with 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine, then transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with North Dakota Potato & Ground Beef Casserole?
American one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
