Cooked dinner together tonight, and we couldn’t stop eating it! My husband ended up devouring more than half.
Grandma’s 5-Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole is the definition of easy comfort food. This classic “dump and bake” recipe relies on simple pantry staples to create a creamy, cheesy dish filled with hearty ground beef and tender potato cubes—perfect for busy weeknights or low-effort family dinners.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground beef | 1–1.5 lbs |
| Condensed cream of mushroom soup | 1 (10½ oz) can |
| Condensed cream of cheddar cheese soup | 1 (10½ oz) can |
| Frozen potato cubes | 3 cups |
| Cheddar cheese, shredded (divided) | 1 cup |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Instructions
1. Prepare and Brown
Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Combine the Filling
Transfer the cooked beef to a large mixing bowl.
Add the cream of mushroom soup, cream of cheddar soup, frozen potato cubes, and ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Season with salt and pepper, then stir until everything is evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Casserole
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
4. Bake
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and the potatoes to become tender.
Why This Recipe Works
Double-Soup Shortcut: The combination of cream of mushroom and cream of cheddar delivers rich, savory flavor without the need for a homemade sauce.
Frozen Potato Cubes: They cook evenly and hold their shape, giving the casserole a satisfying, hearty texture.
Simple, filling, and endlessly comforting, this casserole proves that a handful of ingredients can still deliver big, home-style flavor—just like Grandma used to make.
