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Easy Crockpot Ground Beef and Potato Casserole: The Best One-Pot Dinner

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A hearty, hands-off slow cooker casserole with layers of tender potato and seasoned ground beef in a savory broth, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3–4 medium Russet potatoes (about 2 lbs / 900g), peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and onion is softened, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Build the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour in beef broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Simmer 1-2 minutes.
  3. Layer the Casserole: In a 6-quart slow cooker, start with a thin layer of the meat mixture. Add a layer of potato slices, overlapping slightly, and season with a tiny pinch of salt. Repeat layers: meat, potatoes, meat, potatoes, ending with a layer of meat on top.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  5. Add the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes for a browned top.
  6. Rest and Serve: Turn off slow cooker and let casserole rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, brown the beef first—do not skip this step. Slice potatoes uniformly (1/4-inch thick) for even cooking. Cook on LOW for best texture. Avoid stirring during cooking. If sauce is too thin, remove lid for last 30 minutes or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot ground beef and potato casserole, slow cooker casserole, one-pot dinner, ground beef casserole, potato casserole, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/easy-crockpot-ground-beef-and-potato-casserole-the-best-one-pot-dinner/