Description
Dairyland Casserole features crisped shredded potatoes layered with a silky cheese sauce and tender browned beef, creating an elegant yet comforting dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb frozen shredded hash browns, thawed and well-drained
- 1 lb ground beef, preferably 80/20
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or cream for extra silkiness)
- 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (reserve 1/4 cup for browning)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed buttery crackers
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Brown the beef: heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook until deeply browned and slightly caramelized (about 6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat, return the pan to the heat, and deglaze with a splash of milk to capture fond and flavor.
- Sauté aromatics: in the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter, add the diced onion and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant—do not let it burn.
- Make the sauce: stir cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, and Dijon into the onions. Warm gently until glossy and smooth; adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine: fold the drained hash browns and half the grated cheddar into the sauce, then fold in the browned beef and chopped parsley.
- Assemble: spread the mixture into the prepared dish in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over the top.
- Finish topping: mix panko with 1 tbsp melted butter and scatter evenly over the cheese.
- Bake: place the casserole on the middle rack and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes to set before serving.
Notes
Cool slightly before slicing for cleaner portions. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg