Creamy Beef and Potato Bake 🥔🧀🥩
Description: This delightful recipe, reminiscent of moussaka, layers tender potatoes and zucchini with savory ground beef, all smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. Perfect for potlucks or a comforting family dinner!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup butter 🧈
- 2 large potatoes, thinly sliced 🥔
- 3 zucchinis, diced 🥒
- 2 tsp salt 🧂
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef 🥩
- 1 cup tomato sauce 🍅
- 1 1/2 cups milk 🥛
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 🧀
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Prepare Vegetables: In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to soften. Then, add the diced zucchini, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the zucchini is tender. Spoon this flavorful vegetable mixture into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and set aside.
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Cook Beef Mixture: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and Italian seasoning. Sauté until the onion is tender and fragrant. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it loses its pink color and is fully cooked. Stir in the tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of milk, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Layer Ingredients: Spoon the cooked beef mixture evenly over the vegetable layer in the baking dish, creating a delicious meaty layer.
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Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a separate skillet, melt the remaining butter. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about a minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk until smooth. Cook and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil. Then, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
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Assemble and Bake: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the meat layer in the baking dish, ensuring it covers the entire surface evenly. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling with deliciousness.
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Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the creamy beef and potato bake from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and ensures a perfect slice every time.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 784.3
- Total Fat: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 23.2g
- Cholesterol: 158.4mg
- Sodium: 897.1mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 49.8g
- Dietary Fiber: 5.4g
- Sugar: 7.1g
- Protein: 41.7g
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this hearty beef and potato bake, a satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family!
