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If you're looking for a comforting and hearty dish, look no further than this ground beef and potato casserole. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner and is packed with flavor. Let's dive into the details of how to prepare this delightful meal!

🍽️ Intro

Today, we're making a delicious ground beef and potato casserole baked in the oven. This recipe combines creamy layers of beef and potatoes, topped with a rich béchamel sauce that takes it over the top. It's a comforting dish that the entire family will love!

🥔 Prep Ingredients

To get started, we need to prep our ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• 2 lbs Russet potatoes (sliced and par-boiled)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 1/2 small bell pepper (optional, diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 Tbsp dried chives
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
• 1/2 tsp granulated garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp granulated onion powder
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (for the beef mixture)
• 5 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for the beef mixture)
• 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (for béchamel sauce)
• 5 Tbsp all-purpose flour (for béchamel sauce)
• 2 cups whole milk (for béchamel sauce)
• Pinch of salt and freshly grated nutmeg (for béchamel sauce)

🍖 Ground Beef

Now, let’s move on to the ground beef mixture. This part is essential for building flavor in our casserole.

1. **Cook the Beef**: Begin by heating a cold pan and adding one pound of ground beef. Season it with a quarter teaspoon of salt and cracked black pepper. Start breaking apart the beef and cooking it until browned.

2. **Add Vegetables**: As the beef cooks, add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pan. Sauté these until they are soft.

3. **Seasoning**: It's time to add our spices! Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, dried chives, and dried parsley. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

4. **Make the Roux**: Now, create a space in the center of the pan and add a quarter cup of butter. Once melted, add five tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir this mixture for about a minute to form a roux.

5. **Add Broth**: Gradually pour in two cups of low-sodium beef broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer until it thickens. If desired, add a splash of Kitchen Bouquet for color and flavor.

🥣 Bechamel

The béchamel sauce is the creamy topping that elevates this casserole to the next level.

1. **Melt Butter**: In a small pot, melt four tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat.

2. **Add Flour**: Once melted, sprinkle in five tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir and cook for about a minute to eliminate any lumps.

3. **Incorporate Milk**: Gradually add two cups of room temperature milk, stirring continuously. Let this simmer and thicken to your desired consistency.

4. **Season**: Add a pinch of salt and a little freshly grated nutmeg to enhance the flavor. Once thickened, remove from heat.

🍳 Assemble the Casserole

Now that we have our beef mixture and béchamel sauce ready, it’s time to assemble the casserole.

1. **Layer the Potatoes**: Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter. Layer the par-boiled potato slices evenly at the bottom.

2. **Season the Potatoes**: Sprinkle some seasoning salt, smoked paprika, cracked black pepper, and onion powder over the potatoes.

3. **Add Cheese**: Add half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes.

4. **Spread Ground Beef**: Pour the ground beef mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

5. **Top with Béchamel**: Finally, pour the béchamel sauce over the ground beef and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.

🔥 Bake and Serve

1. **Bake**: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled casserole in the oven uncovered for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until everything is bubbling and the top is golden brown.

2. **Serve**: Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This casserole is perfect for a family dinner and pairs wonderfully with a side salad or steamed vegetables.

Enjoy the comforting flavors of this ground beef and potato casserole! It’s a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. Don’t forget to share your thoughts or any variations you tried!